mtp12389

Hey guys, pretty new to the honda world, and fairly new to working on my own cars in general. I recently sold my nissan sentra in hopes to buy a project car of sorts, although I wanted said project car to be a daily driver when I purchased it. I waited three weeks until i found a car that seemed perfect, a running 1988 honda prelude daily driver. I drove four hours and purchased the car, then drove the four hours back with no problems.

The next morning i woke up and went to my car. When I went to push the clutch it felt very loose. I started the car and it would not shift into gear. I looked at the components to the pedal and all seemed fine. After that I looked it the clutch fluid reservoir and it was bone dry. At the time I was already aware the b20a3 sohc needed a new valve cover gasket, so I went to auto zone and purchased the new gasket and clutch fluid.
I put the fluid in and started my car. I pumped my clutch about 8 times but there was no increase in pressure. I then prepared to replace the gasket by removing the old one.

Now I feel like I am at a crossroads and I could use some experienced help. DO I
a. Replace gasket so I can start the car and try to locate a leak to my clutch
b.replace clutch
c. put it on jack stands and start her over

83Stang5.0

Find where it's leaking fluid, that's why you have no pressure. You'll have to pump it more than 8 times to get proper pressure back to the slave cylinder.

mtp12389

Okay. thanks. I am going to get the gasket now.

jarrett2k

I'm sorry, but a valve cover gasket has what to do with your clutch? Double check everything connected to the clutch fluid reservoir and make sure everything is adjusted properly.

Is it a "slipping" feeling or just a "that shit ain't responding" feeling going on with the clutch? How did it drive on the way home? Any minor blip could be very helpful in determining the problem.

mtp12389

so, i have replaced the valve cover gasket. The gasket seemed a fraction too small but it still went on and I cant find any leaks on it. I am hoping it was the right gasket because of the size issue....

Anyway, after i replaced the gasket i started looking for the leak. I have not 100% located the master or slave cylinder, although i did find a hose that seemed to run from the clutch reservoir to the left side of my car and down to the bottom of my engine, pretty much right next to my passenger inside wheel well. There was a clear fluid that i think may be clutch fluid.

Any ideas? Also i have to pump my brakes to get a full pedal and i dont have to push my clutch to start my car, which seems off to me. ANY HELPERS???

83Stang5.0

Ok, you've got to be a troll. No fucking way do you need to be working on a car.

Sell the car, get a bicycle, your life will be easier.

mtp12389

or maybe i will keep learning. i already got the gasket fixed and found an area that seems to be leaking clutch fluid, so for a beginner i would say i am doing okay. maybe you should give helpful advice to a beginner and not be rude. this forum is supposed to be a community not a way to rag on someone who knows less than you.

83Stang5.0

Don't you, who just joined this site, come on here and tell ME what this site is supposed to be.

Since you know it all, you would know that you can google all these questions for immediate answers, as well as pictures, since you have no fucking clue what any of these things are.

mtp12389

I have done all of that. Just figured there was no harm in asking on an open forum. I never claimed to know everything, hints the reason why i posted this thread. To tell the truth this thread has helped me as much as google, so i will continue to use both. I have narrowed it down to what i think is going to be a leak in the slave cylinder because the line that had the fluid on it was towards the bottom, near the transmission. Not bad for a first timer. You first post actually helped me, your others just made a frustrating situation worse.

mtp12389

sorry I did not mean to post two threads.

I am also sorry for not writing my thread so it could be completely understood. I know my gasket had nothing to do with my clutch. I only mentioned it because I could not start my car to see if the clutch fluid would fix my problem, until the gasket was replaced. Now I can start my car and I do have clutch pressure after pumping it.

I have tried to trace the line from the clutch reservoir to find my master and slave cylinder but have had no luck. I have however found what seems to be a leak of sorts coming from the line. It is not near the reservoir. It is on the other end of the line that runs towards the bottom of the engine. I just cant tell for sure if is actually running to my reservoir because the line becomes hidden about halfway down its length.

Basically now I need to locate my master and slave cylinder. I need to know the difficulty of the job ahead. Really any advice is welcome at this point. I am a beginner.