Ranger

When I replaced the clutch on my 2002 Z06, I insulated the hydraulic lines with CoolSoxes, which are normally intended for plug wires.

By regular changing on the fluid in the reservoir, that car never had pedal issues. Did the CoolSoxes as a precaution in case a new owner was less attentive to the fluid.

Ranger

C5Longhorn

This is great information and I'm going to change my fluid this weekend. Thanks for posting all the information.

bmg

Wow, thanks Ranger Great write up! I just checked my fluid and it was BLACK.... Now everything is clear and i will continue to change as needed. Thanks for saving the rest of us some potential headaches down the road....

briann510

So it seems you guys are NOT bleeding the clutch system at all, but just changing the upper cup only correct? I guess this eventually cleans up the whole system as its used?

bmg

You are correct sir!

briann510

Well im very glad I just checked it. There is hardly any fluid in the cup! Just enough to cover the hole at the bottom. I bet the previous owner bled it and forgot to refill it as I dont see any leaking anywhere.

It says to refill to step on inside of cup. Im not sure which step they are referring to, but ill go look again.

C5Longhorn

What does that little rubber membrane in the reservoir do?

Z06 KOS

working beautifully!!

My 3rd week changing the fluid after every hard runs and now the fluid is clear and no more sticky clutch!

C5Longhorn

I just started doing this and now plan on watching it closely. This is one of the best tips.

Ranger

It's intended to keep an air-tight seal.

Ranger

VTFNATC

This thread has proved to be very valuable. my fluid was black and nasty. changed it once today and already notice some improvement in the pedal. will continue until the fluid is clear. GREAT TIPS ALL!

briann510

So im a little confused as to how new fluid in the reservoir will eventually displace already black fluid in the line and slave cylinder without bleeding.

Z06 KOS

Osmosis...the dirty, grimy gunk will flow to the new fluid and "even" out the concentration of grime throughout the liquid medium...

my fluid started out pitch black...to not so pitch black...to grayish...now "urine" clear!

briann510

Question on that black rubber liner inside the reservoir. Is it suppose to be collapsed and tucked up against the cap or fully extended into the reservoir?

Ranger

The rubber stayaffixed to the cap and provides an air-tight seal for the reservoir, when the cap is in the closed position. There is alway a gap between the rubber and the surface of the fluid below.

Ranger

vms4evr

The rubber seal on the brake fluid reservoir cap and clutch fluid reservoir cap are different. The one on your brake reservoir cap is made to extend from the cap to fill the gap if the reservoir gets low. You push it back into place if it expanded. On the clutch reservoir that seal is the way it is and doesn't collapse back into the cap. So don't try to squish it in there

bluestreak63

Very useful information. Will try to change and keep on top of it. Checked it out at lunch and sure enough...black. I'll have to take a pic of the reservoir tonight. I saw Ranger's pic in the other thread and it seems that the inside was different.

I've been noticing a slight vibration that wasn't there before. I get on it every once in a while, but I don't track it (yet....). Hopefully this flushing with clear it up.

Also, it's ok to use synthetic brake fluid in the clutch master cylinder? I checked at Autozone and the carry Prestone DOT-3, but it seems to be synthetic. Thanks.

briann510

Dang, I just noticed the Prestone Dot 3 fluid I just used for clutch reservoir is synthetic also and its also the high temp stuff as thatsall they had when I bought it. It says compatible with all Dot 3 systems though so hopefully im ok as I also replaced the brake fluid reservoir fluid with it also without bleeding the system yet.

bluestreak63

Took a closer look and discovered that this membrane comes off...

Upon closer inspection, it's not black, but it's definately not clear like in the first pic from Ranger in this thread.

Here is what I saw when taking the cap off...I thought this membrane was "attached" to the reservoir...until I pulled it off. Hey, we all have our moments, don't we?

briann510

After re-filling my reservoir and driving a while, i rechecked and it wasnt too much darker, but I changed it again anyway. Looks like mine isnt that bad of shape after 25K.