Dark Clutch Fluid--Why??
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 552
Likes: 28
From: North Las Vegas Nevada
Dark Clutch Fluid--Why??
After replacing my clutch and clutch hydraulic system a few month ago (The old stuck pedal while drag racing problem) I was advised to change the Dot 3 fluid in the clutch reservoir often. The Corvette dealer tech is a member of our Las Vegas Corvette Club and is a highly repsected mechanic. So once a month I extract the darkened fluid with a small hand pump, clean the rubber diaphagm, wipe the dark residue from inside the reservoir, and add more Dot 3 fluid . 2 Questions. 1. What makes it get dark ( I am not leaking any fluid)? I have talked to several mechanics and no one seems to know for sure. They think it may be due to heat, or possibly the rubber diaphagm. 2. What is the specific benefits of replacing the the dark fluid. I know that the clutch hydraulic systems appears to be a weak and toublesome componet of the C-5.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 42
From: shavertown Pa.
dark fluid
Could be the junk left inside of the master, I removed my master and cleaned it out, by pumping fluid through it, when it ran out clean I put it back on, fluid looks new, everytime I check it before I drive it. It must be comeing up from the master, when the clutch is released. When you push the pedal down it takes fluid from the res. and the returns back to the res. with the garbage in it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 0
From: clackamas oregon
it is the graphite in the black rubber seal on the top leaking into the fluid
nothing can be done to stop it. it is normal. it hurts nothing unless you let it build up lots of crap/slime on the bottom of the resevoir. to help, drain some out with a small turkey baster and refill. dont go so low that you allow it to get below the bottom of the resevoir or you might get air bubbles causeing you to bleed the clutch slave .
it is impossible to buy just the rubber seal/diaphram for it. it is sold in 1 piece as a whole unit with the clutch master.
nothing can be done to stop it. it is normal. it hurts nothing unless you let it build up lots of crap/slime on the bottom of the resevoir. to help, drain some out with a small turkey baster and refill. dont go so low that you allow it to get below the bottom of the resevoir or you might get air bubbles causeing you to bleed the clutch slave .
it is impossible to buy just the rubber seal/diaphram for it. it is sold in 1 piece as a whole unit with the clutch master.
Last edited by rgtkst; Aug 20, 2006 at 06:53 PM.
