Losing clutch fluid
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Oakland County Michigan
Losing clutch fluid
Our 93 6-speed will lose clutch fluid over time. As you can see in my signature, the car is garaged most of it's life. Only has 6000 miles on it (we're original owners). When going to back out one day, the darn thing wouldn't engage reverse. Come to find the clutch resovoir was completely dry. Filled it up and it was good as new. What would cause the fluid to disappear? The car undergoes some spirited driving when it's taken out. Not gonna lie. 
Nothing leaks (the car is parked on blue carpeting in the garage...no fluid stains there) so what would cause the low fluid?
93BlueLT1
Nothing leaks (the car is parked on blue carpeting in the garage...no fluid stains there) so what would cause the low fluid?93BlueLT1
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'08
Either the clutch master or slave cylinder is leaking.
Common problem with these cars.
Mine had a bad slave (actually 3 last year) and there was no fluid on my carpet either.
Common problem with these cars.
Mine had a bad slave (actually 3 last year) and there was no fluid on my carpet either.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Shrewsbury MA
My guess it is leaking at the clutch master cylinder. When the seal gives up the fluid ends up inside the car, I'm told under the carpet. Mine leaked but I never found a drop inside, but then again I didn't look to hard. If it was leaking at the slave you would see fliud under the bell housing. My 2 cents. 
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Oakland County Michigan
Well thanks! I love the quick responses here. Since it'd have to be tore apart to fix, we were thinking of putting in an upgraded clutch. Any recommendations? Also, any downsides to driving it like it is right now? Obviously it's not a daily driver...
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'08
Originally Posted by Blue93LT1
Well thanks! I love the quick responses here. Since it'd have to be tore apart to fix, we were thinking of putting in an upgraded clutch. Any recommendations? Also, any downsides to driving it like it is right now? Obviously it's not a daily driver...
With 6000 miles your existing clutch should be like new.
The only downside driving it like it is would be if the fluid was low and you start forcing it into gear. As long as you keep it full there should be no problem.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Oakland County Michigan
Gotcha. Thanks! Yeah the car is so rarely driven (only for cruising on nice weekends and a little racing here or there 
) that I don't know if it's worth replacing the master/slave (at the moment). Heck, we know now to check the fluid...so by keeping it topped off we should be fine for now? Thanks again!
) that I don't know if it's worth replacing the master/slave (at the moment). Heck, we know now to check the fluid...so by keeping it topped off we should be fine for now? Thanks again!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Follow the clutch pedal up to where it goes through the firewall....Pull back the carpet and padding. Look and feel if its wet, thats where it comes through. I would reccomend replacing it soon as you can. The padding does a good job of soaking the mess, but the more fluid you add, the more comes through the wall........
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 3
From: Sacramento, CA Money can't buy happiness - but it's more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than a Yugo.
Originally Posted by Powerdrive
Follow the clutch pedal up to where it goes through the firewall....Pull back the carpet and padding. Look and feel if its wet, thats where it comes through. I would reccomend replacing it soon as you can. The padding does a good job of soaking the mess, but the more fluid you add, the more comes through the wall........
It WILL get worse.
If you wait, as the seal deterioates the leak gets significantly worse in a hurry. At some point you will end up on the side of the road or stuck in traffic and a whole can of fluid will not be enough to get you home. Been there, done that.
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