Clutch fuild leaking on ground? Intermittantly won't disengage.

[leaky]

I've got a 2012 1.4T - noticed maybe a couple weeks ago that I was having a hard time getting down into 2nd while pulling into the driveway (normally I pull it down into 2nd to slow down, then take the hard corner up the driveway)... Given 2nd gear on these cars is kinda a bear didn't think much of it.

Yesterday after driving the car 30 miles I tried to back out of the parking spot. Wouldn't go into gear.. Hmmm. Then after a couple tries it goes in but upon pushing in the clutch it doesn't disengage. I stall it with the park brake.

Getting out of the car to take a look I determine maybe the floor mat was getting in the way - adjust floormat and it seems OK. Next time I go to park I realize indeed the clutch isn't disengaging consistently and I'm making puddles of brake fluid. Durr.

Car is at dealership, waiting for them to look at it and report back. Are we likely talking a cylinder mounted at the clutch pedal or something else? Known problem? Reading up on other peoples woes I haven't noticed a report of an external leak of fluid, so seems like a new one.

Jon

 

[TurboTechRacing]

Maybe the throw out bearing.... Oil leak under the trans?

 

[leaky]

I don't know - fluid leaking was almost definitely hydraulic fluid, not sure what's in the transmission but it was clear/clean/thin nasty feeling stuff, brake fluid as far as I can tell. I think these use the same reservoir for a hydraulic clutch & brakes so I'm assuming that's what it was.

Jon

 

[jgrote]

Very possible. There have been several cases of bad master cylinders here lately. Is the reservoir low on fluid? BTW, you are correct; the master cylinder houses fluid for both the brakes and clutch.

 

[leaky]

I checked the fluid after seeing that, wasn't running out but from memory I noted it was definitely below the max fill line by 1.5 inches.

Jon