A (somewhat) different push-clutch-to-start question

[eurotic]

I have a 2012 S4 6MT and need some help figuring something out. Yesterday temperatures were around -15 C, I pushed the clutch pedal and brake as I adjusted myself getting ready to start the car. Now I was not standing on the pedal or going all Hulk on it but I think I felt a "pop" or "snap" and now I think that clutch is going right to the floor.

For the life of me I can't tell if this is all in my head or not. As far as I remember the clutch didn't actually go all the way to the floor before and when I got the dreaded push clutch to start message I would push a little harder but there felt like there was some give to it, like I was against a rubber stop. But now the pedal hits the floor solid on the stop on the back of the pedal. Also the past few times starting the car have been no problem and no push to start shenanigans.

So I don't know if I just popped my slave cylinder like I have heard others talk about from having to push the clutch so hard or if this is just all in my head.

So, when you push the clutch all the way down, does it actually touch the floor?


Shawn

[jimrobbington]

It sounds exactly like you popped your slave to me. Sounds like there are finally metal slave alternatives, I would look into that. However, if you had push to start issues before, I can practically guarantee you that they will come right back once you replace that slave. I would do the master cylinder workaround at the same time so you don't damage your new one too.

I know your pain all too well. These clutch pedal problems fuck with your mind and you can never quite tell if you are crazy or not

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[eurotic]

My push to start issues were minor compared to what others talk about and only when it was below freezing. Last winter I started to see the issue but once spring came I never had a problem until just recently where I just ahd to be sure to press firmly on the pedal. Yesterday when the pop happened I wasn't even trying to start the car and didn't think I was pushing all that hard.

But what I don't understand is what actually happened assuming I popped the slave. Right now the car starts easily, the clutch seems to engage and disengage perfectly fine, so what is likely going to happen? Am I risking being out in my car and then stranded because I can't disengage the clutch? Am I damaging other parts?


Shawn

[jimrobbington]

My push to start issues were minor compared to what others talk about and only when it was below freezing. Last winter I started to see the issue but once spring came I never had a problem until just recently where I just ahd to be sure to press firmly on the pedal. Yesterday when the pop happened I wasn't even trying to start the car and didn't think I was pushing all that hard.

But what I don't understand is what actually happened assuming I popped the slave. Right now the car starts easily, the clutch seems to engage and disengage perfectly fine, so what is likely going to happen? Am I risking being out in my car and then stranded because I can't disengage the clutch? Am I damaging other parts?


Shawn
I drove on a busted slave for 10 months, so I don't think it will cause damage to the clutch components add long as it doesn't interfere with normal clutch operation. I assume there is always a small chance that it could fail catastrophically and leave you stranded, but I don't know.

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[Vogz]

My push to start issues were minor compared to what others talk about and only when it was below freezing. Last winter I started to see the issue but once spring came I never had a problem until just recently where I just ahd to be sure to press firmly on the pedal. Yesterday when the pop happened I wasn't even trying to start the car and didn't think I was pushing all that hard.

But what I don't understand is what actually happened assuming I popped the slave. Right now the car starts easily, the clutch seems to engage and disengage perfectly fine, so what is likely going to happen? Am I risking being out in my car and then stranded because I can't disengage the clutch? Am I damaging other parts?


Shawn

You definitely popped your slave. I've popped two of them. The damage was probably done before that final push so you didn't have to push hard to finally have it fail. I recently installed a new clutch in my car and now my pedal goes all the way to the floor like it should without increased resistance in the last inch of travel and the car starts perfectly every time.

This is what a popped slave looks like once you remove it from the car and detach the rubber boot. The plunger and rod just fall out and there are plastic fragments that used to hold the plunger in.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o82/BriGuyMax/B2865C7D-C1FF-4808-965D-3F89CB71E83D_zpscimndt8e.jpg (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/BriGuyMax/media/B2865C7D-C1FF-4808-965D-3F89CB71E83D_zpscimndt8e.jpg.html)

What I have figured out from this issue is the clutch pressure plate is actually the problem item. The self adjusting clutch mechanism on it prematurely adjusts for a worn disc when the disc isn't fully worn therefore reducing pedal travel and causing the intermittent no start issue with normal pedal pressure. The increased pressure on the pedal required to trip the start sensor in the master cylinder puts more pressure and stress on the hydraulic system than it was designed for and the slave ended up being the weak link.

You could risk running on a blown slave for a while, but your issue won't be completely resolved until you install a new clutch in the car.

[Vogz]

I drove on a busted slave for 10 months, so I don't think it will cause damage to the clutch components add long as it doesn't interfere with normal clutch operation. I assume there is always a small chance that it could fail catastrophically and leave you stranded, but I don't know.

Sent from my SM-G930VC using Tapatalk

My second slave cylinder did this. My pedal started feeling really spongy shortly after the "pop" and I then noticed hydraulic fluid leaking under the car. My car was only drive able for a couple more miles before I ran out of fluid. Luckily I was close to home and was able to pull it into the garage right as it completely stopped working.