Hi Rovers, this one is no doubt known by many manual owners.

I am still discovering my discovery, but when driving home from Agnes Water last weekend, found clutch pedal felt as if the slave cylinder piston was gummed up. Clutch actuation was getting progressively worse.
I purged the slave cylinder today (my 12 year old on the pedal learning stuff)
Brake fluid was dark and almost viscous. full purge and bleed brought fresh fluid down. actuation was improved 100% and now is what I would call "as new"
I thought it wasnt right when I picked up the vehicle some 4 weeks ago.
What is interesting is how close the steel fluid line is to the exhaust, I estimate the pipe is no less than 25mm away. surely this heat must effect the brake fluid. I will probably re route it and use a 90degree elboe into the slave cylinder which will provide about more than 100m clearance from the exhaust pipe. then attach an aluminium heat deflector.
Many years ago my first Rangie blew off the flexible line in the same spot. Problem was, it was about 1800hrs on a winters night in canberra and the two queenslanders (wife and I) almost froze on the side of an unknown Canberra street, had to crash change and find a motel fast. !!
We survived!
Anyway, this could be something to keep an eye on, bleed your slave cylinde r atleast per annum.
Merry Christmas