My ride to work started normally. Hell, I was actually early. My clutch pedal began to feel funny. It lost its firmness every time I changed gear. Suddenly, the pedal bottomed out and I was unable to shift. I managed to put it into second gear and sputtered into a small parking lot. Dead. My car was dead in the water. I called frantically to find people to help. No one in my immediate family was able to help. My brother was on his way to work. My dad was no where to be found. I called my cousin Erick. He was the last person I called because I thought he’d be busy at work. Thankfully, he was free.
I popped the hood of my car while I waited. I found a dried fluid spill below the clutch slave cylinder. Was that spill from the past? I looked above and saw oil slithering from the oil fill cap. Maybe the shop I went to did a messy job last week. I dismissed it as nothing.
Erick found Justine and I. He brought the tools we needed to bleed the clutch system. As we bled the system, he noticed fluid leaking near the cylinder. Rust rotted away the cylinder and the leak became a gusher. Instead of continuing to work, I went straight home to do further investigation to the problem and find a solution. Smart move by me. The pedal began to bottom out as I was heading to my street.
My dad caught me staring at my engine. I told him the situation and he proceeded to rip out the cylinder. Remind me to about asking my dad for help with my car or have body language that exhibits some type of need. He just took over and I learned nothing. I created quite a mess. Fluid dripped everywhere. Horrible. It was his way. My methodology was not even considered (even though it would have saved us a toxic spill, a messy engine compartment, and time.) I wouldn’t want him as my surgeon. At least the failing part is out of the car and we bought a cheap Chinese replacement.
After my short trot tomorrow, I’m going to clean up Justine as best as I can and install the part he ripped out of poor Justine. I hope my mom can assist me with bleeding the clutch system when I’m done. This situation inspired an idea. I like it. Maybe it will blossom into something that will make up for my loss in wages.
Thanks Erick for being there again. You’re the best!
It’s really good to be prepared all time.
things happen for a reason .. I’m glad you found it.:)