Clutch fluid flush data point
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Clutch fluid flush data point
In May 2007 I changed my clutch to a Tex X-Grip and installed a new GM master and slave along with a remote bleeder. The fluid originally installed was Motul 600. Today I did the first flush on the system and thought I would post my findings. The system was flushed with fresh Motul 600. I was expecting to find dirty black fluid, instead I found exceptionally clean fluid.
There has been much debate on whether the fluid changing to black was due to heat or due to leaching from the rubber in the system. Now I don't know if GM has made material changes that would keep this from happening or whether the way I personally drive my car is what resulted in the fluid not being discolored as I don't race the car at all other than some spirited rowing through the gears.
Thought I would just put this out there for discussion.
There has been much debate on whether the fluid changing to black was due to heat or due to leaching from the rubber in the system. Now I don't know if GM has made material changes that would keep this from happening or whether the way I personally drive my car is what resulted in the fluid not being discolored as I don't race the car at all other than some spirited rowing through the gears.
Thought I would just put this out there for discussion.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Vettenuts,
That looks a lot like something else after and night of heavy drinking...
I know the color change was blamed on leaching, but as you pointed out, I wonder if it is more of a heat issue, though I really don't know. Did you notice any change in performance after the flush?
Eric D
That looks a lot like something else after and night of heavy drinking...
I know the color change was blamed on leaching, but as you pointed out, I wonder if it is more of a heat issue, though I really don't know. Did you notice any change in performance after the flush?
Eric D
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
I had plenty of black fluid with my OEM 1997 brake hardware but after my master and slave were replaced AND the clutch (Tex OZ700 "puck"), I haven't had black fluid since. I still think the issue is a combination of heat AND leaching....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 0
From: Farmers Branch TX
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
I just replaced my clutch/slave cylinder and when I bled the system out after the repair, the fluid was completely black. This was with monthly "turkey baster" fluid swaps over the last year. I have no idea why the fluid turns so dark, I always assumed it was heat from clutch slippage. But the seals coming apart sounds plausible also. I am hoping now with a remote bleeder to easily flush the fluid, I wont have the "sticky clutch" problem any longer.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Vettenuts,
That looks a lot like something else after and night of heavy drinking...
I know the color change was blamed on leaching, but as you pointed out, I wonder if it is more of a heat issue, though I really don't know. Did you notice any change in performance after the flush?
Eric D
That looks a lot like something else after and night of heavy drinking...
I know the color change was blamed on leaching, but as you pointed out, I wonder if it is more of a heat issue, though I really don't know. Did you notice any change in performance after the flush?
Eric D
