Sudden and unexpected extra travel on clutch pedal

[redwards]

I jumped in my car this morning (Monday) for the standard commute to work (pretty much just around the corner) and noticed the bite/contact point on the clutch was much, much further down than usual. We're talking maybe an inch or two. The bite point is now only an inch or so from the firewall. It didn't vary over the course of the drive.

More background: I took my '5 out to the sprint track on Saturday and got a lot of track time. Nothing in particular happened to the car. The clutch probably got a bit more of a punishing than it usually gets (I need to be a little more gentle changing gears on the track). No problems on the drive home on Saturday. I didn't drive at all on Sunday.

I haven't opened the bonnet yet to see if there's anything to see. That's tonight.

Any suggestions on what might have happened? Any suggestions on what to check?

[bruce]

Spark plug leads.
Seriously; clutch fluid level. You may have a leak.

[de Bounce]

A leaking clutch slave cylinder is a common problem and would produce the symptoms you describe.

Check for obvious leaks in the system.
If there is no visible leaks, check under the rubber boot/gator on the slave cylinder.

[redwards]

Spark plug leads.

You, Sir, are awesome. I lol'd.

I'll check the fluids before driving home. There's auto shop on the way.

[redwards]

I looked under the hood when I got home. Fluid levels are fine. Well, fine enough. It's about halfway between the max and the minimum.

However, there was fluid in the slave cylinder boot. So time for a new slave cylinder and new fluid. Bugger.