Hi,
The clutch pedal in my Dad's '99 Ranger went really spongy the other day. It's not stuck on the floor, but does't release enough to get it in or out of gear. The clutch only has about 15,000 miles and from what I can see through the inspection cover, looks to be in great condition. I checked the master cylinder reservoir and it was empty. I topped it off and bled the system. The fluid it did have was black so I kept working it till it started coming out clean. It never once felt to have any more pressure. Am I looking at a bad master cylinder or a bad slave cylinder?
Thanks,
David

 

These systems are a bear to bleed. These youtube videos helped me greatly, hopefully they will be of value to you.

Ford Ranger & Mazda B-Series Pickup Clutch Hydraulic Release System Bleeding Procedures - YouTube

Ford Ranger & Mazda B-Series Pickup Clutch Hydraulic Release System Bleeding Procedure Part 2 - YouTube

 

those videos are good. fill the MC and see if fluid is on the firewall. also put some cardboard under the tranny to see if fluid is leaking from the slave. the best case scenario is the MC is shot.....that might be why the fluid is black after only 15k miles........I will assume they swapped out the slave when they did the clutch

 

Wow, those ARE some good videos. I apparently did not bleed it thoroughly enough. It was actually I whom replaced the clutch when I installed a replacement motor. It was my first experience with a clutch so I think I am lucky it has run for the past year. I did not replace the slave cylinder, had no idea I should have. I was working with a local shop at the time to get some diagnostic help and basic info, I wish they would have recommended to replace the slave while I was in there. Considering how inexpensive a new one is against R&R the tranny, it would have been worth it.

There were no traces of fluid inside the firewall, and no fluid leaking from the slave area. Not sure where it could have gone.

I will try to bleed the system the correct way and say a few prayers that it is not a bad slave cylinder. I have other Fords that need some creeper miles and this one has had it's fair share.

Thanks for the good info,
David

 

Keep looking for the fluid. Inside and outside of the firewall. Also try the cardboard trick under the slave. The fluid went somewhere