Brake dash light was on for a week or two. No other symptoms. Finally checked reservoir - it was just over min fill line. Had Les Schwab guy check it out - told me master cylinder leaking, needs replaced. I had no money, so topped off fluid and went on my way. 2 weeks later, clutch is totally jamming up. Won't shift at all, until it does. Then for a few days it’s sporadic like that - periodically jamming up, then for a few days (current) it's back to feeling pretty normal. A little google = my first awareness that oh, a clutch uses brake fluid... These things could be related.
I take it to mechanic #2 for "free" $150 diagnostic (applied toward repair). Says I need a new clutch master cylinder, clutch slave cylinder and 2 wheel cylinders and a whole new clutch. (He also quotes me $330 for new spark plugs, wireset and ignition coil and verbally touches on suspension issues but seeing as how I’m broke and it’s a 98 Escort, we leave it there)
I go home to think about it, and I think... Wait, he said nothing about the brake master cylinder, which I've already been told is leaking. I call near closing to ask about that. Different guy on phone says "oh I'd have to check, I didn't work on your car but they're probably the same cylinder" I hang up, google a little. Not satisfied with this answer.
Back to Les Schwab -- guy there shows me where brake master cylinder is, and that it is visibly leaking and points to clutch master, which is a separate thing.
So questions:
1.) Is there any scenario in which it is at all reasonable that mechanic #2 did not notice / quote the visibly wet master brake cylinder?
2.) The fact that he didn’t even mention it --- why should I have any faith in any other aspect of his $150 2-hour diagnostic?
3.) Given that car is currently driving fine, is it plausible that replacing the brake master cylinder, and bleeding the system, it could be that my clutch is not in dire need of replacement?
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Monday, February 13th, 2017 AT 10:51 PM
