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Slave cylinder leaking

Tiny
TONY BERRY
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 NISSAN TIIDA
  • 0.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 138,000 MILES
The clutch pedal went to the floor and stayed there and there was clutch fluid leaking from the housing where the slave cylinder is.
I talked to a few garages, and they all said that the slave cylinder was gone inside the engine and gave quotes that were double what the car was worth, so I said I'd have a go myself, I'm no mechanic, but I am handy around engines.
I took out the old slave cylinder and it looked okay, but I fitted a new one just to be sure and put it all together and it worked I was delighted. But a few weeks I noticed a small drop of oil coming from the same place the clutch housing, but it was running okay. I topped it up very little. It showed it was slightly under max level and three months later the clutch pedal went to the floor and stayed there again, but if I top it up with clutch fluid it will work for about a week and go again. Any ideas? The clutch fluid drops every time the pedal is pressed. Could I be unlucky and got a fault one? It looked perfect when I took it out again but so did the original one. Please help
Thanks, Tony
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Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 AT 10:00 AM

33 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi Tony,

The idea that you are losing fluid indicates a leak. Remember that the fluid can run in different directions. So, here is what I suggest:

First, with the engine cool and off, spray all areas that are contaminated with fluid and wipe it dry and clean. Have a helper depress the clutch to see if you see where the leak is originating.

This vehicle isn't offered in the US, but I believe it is very similar to the Nissan Sentra we have.

I attached a pic below of the Sentra's slave cylinder. Is that what you have? Also, make sure there are no leaks at connectors as well.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

See pic below.
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Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 AT 7:23 PM
Tiny
TONY BERRY
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  • 22 POSTS
Thanks for your reply. It looks like the same one I have. I tried your suggestion a few times and it leaks out of a notch in the housing for the slave cylinder when the clutch pedal is pressed down.
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Thursday, February 24th, 2022 AT 2:01 PM
Tiny
TONY BERRY
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  • 22 POSTS
I can't seem to add any more than one photo at a time, but this is where it is leaking from. If you zoom in on the photo so you can see exactly where it is leaking from.
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Thursday, February 24th, 2022 AT 2:10 PM
Tiny
TONY BERRY
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  • 22 POSTS
Hope these photos make it easier to diagnosis. I wasn't able to upload any more than one at a time but I'm probably doing it wrong.
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Thursday, February 24th, 2022 AT 2:18 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Tony,

Based on where you see the leak, it is likely in the bell housing. Do you have the transmission out as shown in pic 1? If not, I attached a pic below of the part in a Sentra. I circled my first suspect area for a leak.

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, February 24th, 2022 AT 6:53 PM
Tiny
TONY BERRY
  • MEMBER
  • 22 POSTS
Thanks Joe. I have it back together now, but I still have the old one and it is exactly like the one you have circled in the picture. So, do you think the new one I got was faulty? Because the old one was working fine for 3 years I had the car and started leaking the same way. Is there any way I can fix it or do I have to buy another new one? I hope it doesn't start leaking after 3 months. Do you have any idea what I can do? Thanks very much for your speedy reply.
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Friday, February 25th, 2022 AT 2:12 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

You are very welcome. I don't like to ask, but where did you get the replacement? I ask because a lot of people sell parts online at low prices and provide poorly made parts. I have seen so many imported electrical and mechanical components that are truly junk.

As far as repair, if it isn't at the connection, get a new one. There isn't a way to repair the crimps where it is put together.

Have you already removed it? If not, there is a chance it is at the connector.

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, February 25th, 2022 AT 7:05 PM
Tiny
TONY BERRY
  • MEMBER
  • 22 POSTS
Thanks Joe. I bought the bran new one in my local motor factory, that's the one that lasted 3 months. I have the car nearly 4 years now but from the first day I bought it the clutch pedal was always very heavy to push down and still was when I put in the new clutch slave is that a completely different thing or would it be related to the slave cylinder or would it be something else?
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Saturday, February 26th, 2022 AT 4:57 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

The clutch master cylinder and slave are simply hydraulic pumps. They wouldn't cause a hard pedal.

If it was excessively hard to press, someone may have changed the pressure plate to something other than OEM to prevent slipping. Have you ever replaced the clutch, pressure plate, release bearing, and so on? Also, when you reinstalled the slave, did you lubricate the input shaft where the release bearing moves?

If someone has changed the pressure plate to something high-performance, that may be the issue. An OEM slave can't handle the pressure.

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, February 26th, 2022 AT 6:32 PM
Tiny
TONY BERRY
  • MEMBER
  • 22 POSTS
Hi Joe, I haven't changed anything, only the slave cylinder, but it has been very heavy the whole time since I got it. So, I'd say someone has done something before I bought it. So do you think I should change the pressure plate and what does OEM mean?
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Sunday, February 27th, 2022 AT 2:24 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

If it has always been hard since you purchased it, either something was done or there is something causing it to be difficult to press.

At this point, we can try two different things. First, you may have gotten a bad slave. Have it replaced under warranty and then reinstall it to see if the new one holds up? Or the transmission needs to be removed to determine if there is something internally causing the issue.

As far as the OEM, that stands for original equipment manufacturer. It is what the vehicle would have come with from the factory.

If you want to take it apart, I would have the directions for a Sentra, but I'm not completely sure how similar they would be. However, I would be happy to send them to you.

If I were you in this situation, I would try a different slave. However, that is your call and if you want to deal with the heavy pedal.

Regardless, let me know what I can do to help you. Also, let me know what you decide.

Take care,

Joe
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Sunday, February 27th, 2022 AT 7:44 PM
Tiny
TONY BERRY
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Thanks, Joe, for all your help. I'll take it apart again and try another new slave cylinder. I would be grateful if you could send the Directions for the Sentra to compare it, I know you said it might be different but at the moment I have nothing to compare it to. I broke my neck 9 years ago so I'm fairly slow at doing any job since it took me over a week to do it last time as I had to take a lot of components apart just to get to the starter and other parts that had to be disconnected to get it out. So, I would be great full if you could send the Sentra directions to me, to compare it to as at the moment I have nothing to compare it to.
Thanks again for all your help.
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Monday, February 28th, 2022 AT 3:11 AM
Tiny
TONY BERRY
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This is the name and part number of the replacement slave cylinder I fitted.
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Monday, February 28th, 2022 AT 5:47 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

No problem whatsoever. Take your time. You're lucky it wasn't worse.

As far as the clutch, the first 6 pics below are removal/replacement of the clutch and inspection. The remaining pics are for the removal and installation of the transmission.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Monday, February 28th, 2022 AT 2:51 PM
Tiny
TONY BERRY
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This is the slave cylinder I put in.
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Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022 AT 2:49 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Have you already installed the new one? Also, Sachs is a good brand, but even they are making things much cheaper.

Let me know if you have replaced it already. If you did, how is it working?

Joe
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Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022 AT 5:11 PM
Tiny
TONY BERRY
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No, I haven't replied to it yet that was the box off the one that I put in a few months ago and it didn't last. I was going to start it this weekend I sent you the picture before I bought a new one. Do you think it is okay to get the same one or do you know any better one the Nissan owned brand is crazy money?
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Thursday, March 3rd, 2022 AT 12:09 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

Chances are you got a faulty one. As mentioned, that brand is well known. The sad thing is how cheaply things are being made anymore. Everything is imported and cheap. Also, I'm not sure where you are located or what is actually available to you.

Regardless, I would have that one replaced under warranty and try it again. Hopefully, the new one will be made better.

Let me know what I can do to help.

Take care of yourself,

Joe
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Thursday, March 3rd, 2022 AT 5:57 PM
Tiny
TONY BERRY
  • MEMBER
  • 22 POSTS
I think I'll get from Nissan it is double the price but I that it might be a faulty batch and I might get another faulty one I'm going to start it tomorrow. I live in Ireland, and I have to do it outside it been raining all week but it's supposed to be fine all weekend. So I'm starting it tomorrow Friday.
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Thursday, March 3rd, 2022 AT 8:04 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

Ireland? Wow. I've seen pictures and it looks beautiful. I live in Derry, but not Derry Ireland. LOL Regardless, let me know how things work out for you. Also, make sure you return the faulty part for your money back. I hope they warranty it for you.

Let me know the results or if there is anything I can do to help.

Take care, my friend.

Joe
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Thursday, March 3rd, 2022 AT 8:43 PM

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