How can I tell if the problem I have is with the master or slave clutch cylinder? 2008 VW Eos

How can I tell if the issue is with a clutch or a slave master cylinder as symptoms are relatively the same. My clutch will not pop back up. I cannot change the gears while the engine is on. I can change the gears when the engine is off. I do not know which service to select.

My car has 98200 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello, thank you for writing in. Your question cannot be technically answered at this point in time. With your symptoms, it could be either the slave or the master cylinder. The clutch master cylinder is more commonly a problem, but the symptoms are identical for the most part. As far as what issue to put down for a service request, do not worry, either choice will dispatch a technician that can handle both problems regardless. Due to the fact clutch master cylinders have a higher failure rate, go ahead and select it. You can request a service for the issue here. Good luck!

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

The master cylinder effectively works as a hydraulic pump, from which fluid is fed to the slave cylinders further down the line. The slave cylinder is found at the other end of the hydraulic system and works in the opposite way to the master cylinder.
The classic symptom of a failing master cylinder is a brake pedal that “dives” or sinks slowly to the floor while pedal pressure is being applied. Another sign to look out for is any leaks around the master cylinder. If a seal is worn out, it may leak past the seal and onto the pushrod that attaches to the brake pedal.
Yes master cylinders can fail without leakage, the clutch master cylinder has a piston inside and there are separate channels for hi-pressure line and return(low pressure) line and their location in the cylinder differs for manufacturers.
The most common cause of clutch slipping is wear and tear on the clutch plate. Over time, the clutch plate begins to slip, resulting in a loss of power. This can be caused by a number of factors, such as driving in stop-and-go traffic, or driving with a heavy foot.
Yes master cylinders can fail without leakage, the clutch master cylinder has a piston inside and there are separate channels for hi-pressure line and return(low pressure) line and their location in the cylinder differs for manufacturers.
The most common issue for clutch master and slave cylinders is contamination of the hydraulic fluid or even the wrong type of hydraulic fluid being used. The smallest drop of contaminant, such as engine oil, gearbox oil, washer fluid or antifreeze can cause the rubber seals within the cylinder to swell up overtime.
The most common issue for clutch master and slave cylinders is contamination of the hydraulic fluid or even the wrong type of hydraulic fluid being used. The smallest drop of contaminant, such as engine oil, gearbox oil, washer fluid or antifreeze can cause the rubber seals within the cylinder to swell up overtime.
Sudden failure is most often caused by a broken or loose clutch cable, linkable or a failed hydraulic master/slave cylinder. There can also be leaks in the hydraulic line or even the disc could be contaminated with something like dirt or debris.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

How can I tell if the problem I have is with the master or slave clutch cylinder? 2008 VW Eos
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. Your question cannot be technically answered at this point in time. With your symptoms, it could be either the slave or the master cylinder. The clutch master cylinder is more commonly a problem, but the symptoms are identical for the most part. As far as what issue to put down for a service request, do not worry, either choice will dispatch a technician that can handle both problems regardless. Due to the fact clutch master cylinders have a higher failure rate, go ahead and select it. You can request a service for the issue here. Good luck!

I have no clutch it goes to the floor and I cannot find the slave master cylinder for the clutch master cylinder please send pics
ANSWER : The reservoir supplying the fluid to both cylinders is the brake master cylinder reservoir. However, adequate fluid there means nothing as a diagnostic. The clutch slave and/or master cylinder could be leaking internally (no visible external leak) or there could be air in the clutch hydraulic system that will have to be bled out. There are other mechanical causes of the clutch pedal going to the floor but in your circumstances that hydraulic circuit should be looked at first. If you desire a diagnostic, and repair of this issue, right at your location, please request a clutch system inspection. If you request that inspection, the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

Clutch pedal stays to floor. Replaced master cylinder. Clutch push rod broke. Also do I need to change slave cylinder
ANSWER : If you have an issue with your clutch pedal going to the floor, the slave cylinder is normally the cause of this circumstance.

Also, if the push rod has been broken the first step would be to track down a new one because that push rod is a very necessary part of the clutch pedal system.

Once a new push rod has been located and installed, I would recommend having a new slave cylinder installed as well.

If you are in doubt about this repair, I would recommend having it performed by a qualified professional, such as one from YourMechanic. One of our mobile technicians will be able to come to your home to diagnose the issue with your clutch pedal and replace your clutch slave cylinder as necessary.

Clutch pedal goes to the floor and doesn’t return
ANSWER : Hello, thanks for your question. You could watch the clutch fluid as it mentions in the test, but this really doesn’t tell you much. Most of the time this is caused by a bad clutch master cylinder. If the fluid level is low the first thing to do would be to locate the leak. If the fluid is full then I watch to see that he clutch slave is moving when the clutch is pressed. If it is and if it is releasing but the pedal stays down then that is another reason to change the clutch master. If the clutch slave and fork are not releasing then it may have an internal clutch failure. If you would like help getting this inspected or repaired, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to perform the inspection and make or suggest any repairs needed.

Replaced clutch master and slave cylinder, but my car still won’t go into gear while running
ANSWER : If the hydraulics are working correctly, there are a couple of things that could be wrong with the clutch that would prevent it from releasing. Unfortunately, any of them will require removal of the transmission for repair.

At 191,000 miles, it could be that your pressure plate has failed and is not fully releasing, or it could be that the disk is severely worn and there is an accumulation of debris between the disk and the plate which would also keep it from releasing. Either of these would be corrected with a clutch replacement.

If you contact YourMechanic, they can send a technician to your home to evaluate your problem and help you figure out what to do next in order to avoid any unnecessary repairs.

Clutch not working after replacing slave cylinder and master cylinder
ANSWER : Hello. We will be happy to help you with your vehicle. It sounds like you have a problem with your throw out bearing. You would likely need to drop the transmission once again and check that the installation of the throwout bearing is proper. You may also try to peel back the boot around the slave cylinder to see inside of the transmission. By doing so you may be able to see possible damages on the throwout bearing. It will be a great idea to use a stethoscope before you take the vehicle back apart to help pinpoint exactly what portion of the transmission coming from. Another very important thing that you should check are your axle’s, make sure they are seated correctly inside of the transmission.

My clutch is not working Entire clutch repair or clutch master cylinder repair? How do I check the cylinder?
ANSWER : Hi there. Check the slave cylinder to the clutch and see if the piston is all the way out. If the piston is all the way out or its not touching the clutch fork, then the release bearing has broken and the fork has moved into the clutch. If the slave cylinder is relaxed and the fork is against it, then the clutch pressure plate has sprung a pressure spring. If the pedal can go down but not all the way to the floor, then the clutch needs replaced with a new release bearing. If you need further assistance with a clutch replacement, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

Master cylinder and clutch slave cylinder replaced
ANSWER : Unfortunately, using the same plastic clutch slave cylinder assembly the vehicle was manufactured with will cause the same results if the vehicle is abused. The plastic part is very strong, but cannot withstand the heat and pressure from hard driving. You may be able to do some research and find a higher performance part produced by an aftermarket company, as some companies specialize in manufacturing upgraded parts for higher performance. If you would like some assistance with this, one of the technicians from YourMechanic can come to your location to inspect the shaking problem and let you know what repairs are needed.