My car repeatedly destroys clutch cylinders

Maintenance/Repairs
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1

Hi,

I drive a 1995 Ford Escort (don’t laugh, even though it has 328,000 miles on it). The car is generally very reliable, despite its age. The one thing that repeatedly fails, however, is its clutch cylinders. The factory cylinders lasted about 150,000 miles. The after-market models, ever since, have failed almost like clockwork every 18,000 to 20,000 miles. Either the master or slave has had to be replaced. The longest they’ve gone is about 29,000 miles, but then both had to be replaced. No mechanic who has seen this car can explain why it would eat clutch cylinders so regularly. The only clue I have is their proximity to the firewall, and this model Escort was recalled for firewall problems early in its life.

Can anyone explain why clutch cylinders would fail so regularly, and what I might be able to do to prevent it?

2

Firewalls don’t generate heat.The firewall isn’t the problem. besides, the first cylinder lasted 150,000 miles.

Are you sure you’re using the right fluid?

3

Install factory cylinders. You answered your own question.
The after markets cylinders are cheaper and you are getting what you are paying for.

4

It’s also possible that you have a missing heat shield or an exhaust leak that’s allowing the exhaust to heat up the slave cylinder and perhaps the hydraulic fluid as well.

I don’t know the proximity of your slave cylinder to your exhaust system, but its’s a thought to consider.