clutch feel

[Ralf]

Hello ericthecarguy forum,

Just a random question about something I encountered.
After washing(water and a rag) the engine bay of my 1998 Volvo V40 the clutch pedal felt a little stiff for a few miles. It doesn’t seem like a big problem to me, i was just wondering if anyone knows what could cause this.
The clutch pedal is hydraulic and the fluid was replaced 3 months ago.

Thanks

ralluf,,

Topic

[college man]

You may have dripped water into the slave cylinder?

[Ralf]

I suppose that is possible, it’s been a week now and it seems fine.
How much damage could a little water do in a hydraulic system?

[Ingvar]

Cars are made for heavy rains and even driving through deep water. Chances of water “dripping” into slave cylinder are null. It’s all sealed systems. As far as you have enough exhaust pressure to keep water out of tail pipe, you can drive a car through water dashboard deep.
Random answer to random question. It’s a Volvo. Who knows. Another random guess. Rag and water? You more likely moved something with rag. What’s wrong with g’ol pressure washing at any car wash station?

[Ingvar]

Before I’ll be reprimanded of lying – watch this:

[Ingvar]

To correct myself: AND water level is below air intake.

All those slave cylinders were deep inside water:

[Lorrin Barth]

I’ve replaced clutches with the exact same OEM clutch and the clutch pedal effort is almost always lighter, sometimes much lighter. This is due to new and lubricated parts. Usually, as you drive the pedal effort is increasing but so gradually you don’t notice it. Maybe you had a flashback. B)

[Ralf]

I think i am just going crazy thinking what could be broken, you guys have reassured me there is nothing wrong with the my clutch.
Thanks for the answers, always fun to talk about cars on the ericthecarguy forum!

Ralluf,

[EricTheCarGuy]

I’m with the group, it’s not likely that getting water on the slave cylinder had anything to do with it. If you moved it slightly, meaning the point that makes contact with the clutch fork, then perhaps that may have caused what you felt. Otherwise if it’s not acting up now, you should be OK.

[Author]

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