What's wrong with my 5-speed?

[CodePoet]

Ok so here's what's been happening. Earlier this week I felt the clutch not releasing all the way, and the pedal seemed alittle soft. Yesterday I went out to bleed it. I tried to start the truck....the clutch was not releasing at all the starter was turning the wheels. Anyway I pump it about 200 times and get alittle pressure, tried to drive it to Napa to get a few things but had to turn around...it was bogging down and dying. So I figure it really needs to be blead I'm following the instructions in the haynes manuel...I fill the resivor and crawl underneath to open the bleeder, I do so but nothing comes out?! I was loosening the bleeder by hand and it had the dust cap on so I know it was open and not blocked, I could also move the bleeder back and forth which I thought was weird. I know that I need a new slave cylinder...is there anything else that it could be? Should I also replace the master? Could it be a blockage of some kind? What are your thoughts??

Thanks
CP

 

[AlaskanJack]

My buddy was having the same problems and had to replace his clutch master and everything was good afterwards.

 

[CodePoet]

That's kinda what i've been thinking. I know that slave's days are numbered but I didn't see how in the world the slave could cause the bleeding problems. According to the diagrams in my haynes manuel the master is only thing up line from the bleeder. And if I can possible avoid droping the tranny right now i'm all for it. Thanks for the help. And if anyone else wants to chime in please do. Thanks AlaskanJack

Later
CP

 

[AlaskanJack]

I'll ask my buddy Chris (NAK4AF) about his he is going to be replacing his clutch master this weekend. He has done a lot of work on his lcutch so he may know. He should be here in less than an hour.

 

[Doug]

It definantly sounds like your slave cylinder. Mine was doing the same thing and when i replaced it, it solved the problem.

 

[AlaskanJack]

Well just FYI but Chris says to properly bleed it you need someone pumping the clutch from inside. I really don't know cause I know there are a lot of vaccuum bleeders out there. He said if not using another person to help it will just drip out of the bleeder.