Greetings: I recently replaced the CLUTCH master cylinder in my '82 240d - my first such try, ever. After mopping up all the brake fluid from the floor and replacing the carpet, I began to notice I was still losing fluid, but much slower. I also noticed that if I left the vehicle for a day or so, I had some travel in the clutch that would go away after a few pumps. The longer I left it without driving, the worse the problem.

Finally I lost all clutch and pumping did nothing. I checked to see if maybe the bleed screw was loose from bleeding after putting in the master, but no.

I did see, however, brake fluid leaking from a hole in the very bottom of the transmission bell housing ( I think that's what it's called).

I had also noticed, over the past weeks, some "chatter" in the clutch on starting from a stopped position, as if it were slipping a bit. This would subside at I drove around.

So my 2 questions are: 1. could the slave leak into the clutch causing this "chatter" and 2. could this be anything OTHER than the slave?

thanx...Joe

How did you bleed the system?

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1982 Mercedes-Benz 300CD
1982 Mercedes-Benz 240D - stick

Joe Z,

Sounds like you are leaking brake fluid from the slave cylinder. Replace or rebuild the slave cylinder and see if the leaking stops and the clutch works correctly.

P E H

I bled bled w/ a helper - open valve, depress clutch, close valve, raise clutch. Worked fine a few days after replacing master but then leaked entire reservoir after letting sit a few days.

I'll pick up a new slave on Monday - I can't see how it could be anything else.

thanks...Joe

Yup, I have a 190d 2.2 and had the same symptoms. I replaced the slave cylinder and fixed all my problems.

The slave cylinder is at the bottom of the clutch hydraulics and so that is where the water accumulates. They rot out if they don't get bled on a regular basis.

I used a power bleeder to bleed mine. This worked really well, but some people say that you need to reverse bleed the slave cylinder. In my experience, my clutch will eventually self bleed with enough pumps on the clutch pedal.

Sholin

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What else, '73 MB 280 SEL (Lt Blue)
Daily driver: '84 190D 2.2 5 spd.

Joe Z,

To reverse bleed you can hook a platic tube from the left front brake bleeder tap to the slave cylinder tap. Open both taps then pump the brake pedal. This will force brake fluid backwards thru the clutch hydraulic system and get all the air out. If the brake and clutch master cylinders use the same reservoir, nothing will overflow. Just keep the reservoir full. Close the taps, remove the tube and you are ready to go.

P E H