This morning my clutch started to feel funny. All of a sudden there was not much resistance and it had some trouble shifting. I pulled over and the fluid in the master was fine, although a dark brown (is this the correct color or should it be drained?). I am able to shift through the gears just fine with the clutch but it just had little resistance.

This has happened once before but it almost immediately went back to normal.

Also when the engine is off I can cycle through the gears with no clutch.

Any ideas?

Thanks

This morning my clutch started to feel funny. All of a sudden there was not much resistance and it had some trouble shifting. I pulled over and the fluid in the master was fine, although a dark brown (is this the correct color or should it be drained?). I am able to shift through the gears just fine with the clutch but it just had little resistance.

This has happened once before but it almost immediately went back to normal.

Also when the engine is off I can cycle through the gears with no clutch.

Any ideas?

Thanks

It sounds like a bad slave cylinder. It's good to replace the master & slave in pairs.

The clutch uses brake fluid. It should not be brown.

When the engine is off, you should be able to shift without using the clutch as long as you're on a flat surface. Heck, you can shift without the clutch while driving if you know how to time your shifts. Downshifts are the most challenging.

change the fluid first cost $60 $70 for a set master/slave cylinder. brake fluid is a hygroscopic fluid (means it loves to absorb water). when you get it too full of water don't work so good. there is like only a cup of fluid in the system. drain it good. refill work it around repeat. If that doesn't help then definitely replace master/slave units. they are readily available.

Thanks for the help. I am going to get some other parts from MSA tomorrow so I am just going to pick up the stainless cable/master/slave while I am there, because I have to have my car working Monday.

Having a 32 year old car for a daily driver is a battle every weekend haha