With the low miles I wonder nothing should be wrong with anything clutch or trans unless the trans is low.

How's the clutch tank/cup look empty low that will tell you something.

Preventative maintenance and inspections work wonders and saves $$$

 

Low miles = not a lot of use and the seals start to dry up. Plus, things start to rust and that will tear into the seals.

 

I have talked to several car guys at work. The consensus is that I probably have an issue with my slave or master cylinder. Could be a slow leak or maybe a foreign particle that is preventing actuation of the cylinder. I'm also going to check for fluid on the above mentioned cylinders to confirm any leakage. A mechanic friend of a boss thinks I should be able to add fluid to the reservoir (if it's low) and that will buy me a few months. I should then be able to purchase a new master and slave cylinder assembly and replace it myself at the cost of a few hundred dollars for the parts.

Does anyone disagree with the analysis or plan of action? Lots of helpful comments so far, thanks.

 

I agree that it's more than likely a master/slave problem. The only issue you may have is that you can't bleed a factory setup so if you do run it low, you'll have problems.

Check the clutch fluid level, it's easy.

 

there is a way to bleed the factory setup. but it is a pita.

 

PITA is an understatement.

Of course you could ask Dodge and they'll tell you "no" and gladly sell you the whole assembly.

 

I checked the slave and master cylinders, as well as the lines and did not see any fluid on them. The reservoir is full as well. So this rules out leakage.

 

Then it may be trans oil leaking or engine oil leaking if the clutch reservoir is full.

If its black then its engine oil if kind of golden it could be trans oil.

Crack the fill plug off and check it out but WD-40 that thing for a few days first.

 

I took the cap off my reservoir to the clutch assembly. When the clutch was pumped quickly several times, the fluid level did not change at all. Should there be some change? The black seal on top of the reservoir must be there to prevent spillage and let that air at the top compress some.

If I had taken the brake fluid cap off and pumped the brakes, wouldn't fluid have squirted out? Is this confirmation that my master cylinder has failed?

 

The level won't really change. It's a reservoir, to maintain the level. When the clutch is released the master cylinder fills with fluid. When you depress the pedal, it closes the port and pressurizes the line to the slave cylinder. It doesn't move fluid out of the reservoir.