1997 Honda Civic clutch

Tiny
KMGINNH
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • MANUAL
  • 113,903 MILES
1997 Honda Civic clutch trouble - my husband is a "car guy" but is 13 hour time zone away. My daughter was on her way back to college today and the clutch goes straight to the floor without resistence (and clearly(?) We can't shift out of neutral. Hoping you can advise! The car was fine yesterday. Always a little difficult to get into reverse but otherwise no shifting issues. It was frigidly cold overnight (around 0 degrees Fahrenheit). Is there anything we can do before having it towed to local mechanic and assuming it needs a new clutch? (We bought the car used in 2009 and don't see records of any clutch work in the records we have that go back to 2006. Just wondering if a clutch can just "go" overnight like that). Thanks for any advice you recommend. ~Two Gals in Need!
Sunday, January 23rd, 2011 AT 4:29 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,603 POSTS
The clutch hydraulics seem to have failed on your little car. The possibility that the clutch itself is bad does not present itself. The service provider you choose will be able to repair the issue, it could be the master or the slave cylinders or both, who knows. Anyway, you can now go forward as informed consumers.
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Sunday, January 23rd, 2011 AT 4:39 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
That should be a failure in the hydraulic system and not the clutch mechanical system.

Check the clutch fluid level in mas ter cylinder reservoir underhood. If it is low, top up with fluids and slowly pump the pedal a few times. If pedal pressure builds up, you can proceed using the clutch and get to the nearest place of repairs to have the leaking component repaired/replaced, it could be the master or slave cylinder.

If pressure does not build up, bleeding of system would have to be carried out and if the master or slave cylinder have not failed completely, you should be able to get a little mileage out of it.

If bleeding does not help, then you either need to perform the repair there and then or get a tow truck, unless you are able to drive without any clutch.
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Sunday, January 23rd, 2011 AT 4:46 PM
Tiny
KMGINNH
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Thank you very much for the detailed information. We'll check the fluid level and get it to the mechanic!
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Sunday, January 23rd, 2011 AT 5:07 PM
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,603 POSTS
Glad we could help!
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Sunday, January 23rd, 2011 AT 5:11 PM

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