Clutch Fluid
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
From: Celina TX
Clutch Fluid
I'm kinda paranoid with my 98, hear it has paper blocker rings so synthetic is a no-go. Even regular Dot 4 can be problematic, tried to order from gm and was informed:
Good Afternoon Eric, Thanks for the order. This fluid has been discontinued and is no longer available so I'm going to have to cancel the order and provide you with a refund. The clutch hydraulic fluid can certainly be replaced by the DOT4 brake fluid. Thanks. Gene.
Thought the gm fluid had some extra protection. Just want to gradually change my fluid w/o messing up my clutch. Any insight/recommendations would be much appreciated.
Regards, Eric
Good Afternoon Eric, Thanks for the order. This fluid has been discontinued and is no longer available so I'm going to have to cancel the order and provide you with a refund. The clutch hydraulic fluid can certainly be replaced by the DOT4 brake fluid. Thanks. Gene.
Thought the gm fluid had some extra protection. Just want to gradually change my fluid w/o messing up my clutch. Any insight/recommendations would be much appreciated.
Regards, Eric
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 794
From: Longview Texas
I'm kinda paranoid with my 98, hear it has paper blocker rings so synthetic is a no-go. Even regular Dot 4 can be problematic, tried to order from gm and was informed:
Good Afternoon Eric, Thanks for the order. This fluid has been discontinued and is no longer available so I'm going to have to cancel the order and provide you with a refund. The clutch hydraulic fluid can certainly be replaced by the DOT4 brake fluid. Thanks. Gene.
Thought the gm fluid had some extra protection. Just want to gradually change my fluid w/o messing up my clutch. Any insight/recommendations would be much appreciated.
Regards, Eric
Good Afternoon Eric, Thanks for the order. This fluid has been discontinued and is no longer available so I'm going to have to cancel the order and provide you with a refund. The clutch hydraulic fluid can certainly be replaced by the DOT4 brake fluid. Thanks. Gene.
Thought the gm fluid had some extra protection. Just want to gradually change my fluid w/o messing up my clutch. Any insight/recommendations would be much appreciated.
Regards, Eric
You may not be able to buy GM DOT 3 clutch fluid anymore, but you should be able to get GM DOT4 fluid.
The GM fluid is supposed to have some additional friction modifiers to make it better for the clutch system than standard DOT 4 brake fluid, but brake fluid should work if you cannot find the GM fluid.
DOT 3 and 4 should be compatible. The most important thing is to keep the fluid clean.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 264
From: Near Charlotte NC
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria Ca.
Good ol'el cheapo Valvoline Dexron ATF works best in my 98-tried synthetic for 4 or 5 months,but it wouldn't shift like it should till I put in what's recommended on the tranny tag.
You're going to get a lot of opinions on this,and I'm not saying the cheap stuff is the best for everyone-it just works best for me.
You're going to get a lot of opinions on this,and I'm not saying the cheap stuff is the best for everyone-it just works best for me.
Last edited by Carcass; Nov 18, 2010 at 09:09 AM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 585
Likes: 2
Good ol'el cheapo Valvoline Dexron ATF works best in my 98-tried synthetic for 4 or 5 months,but it wouldn't shift like it should till I put in what's recommended on the tranny tag.
You're going to get a lot of opinions on this,and I'm not saying the cheap stuff is the best for everyone-it just works best for me.
You're going to get a lot of opinions on this,and I'm not saying the cheap stuff is the best for everyone-it just works best for me.
When I tried synthetic fluid (Royal Purple) in my 98's transmission I could barely get the car to shift after about three weeks of driving. I was really worried that I damaged the paper blocker rings. I went back to the cheap stuff recommended by GM and noticed a huge improvement in less than fifty miles.
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 227
Likes: 2
From: Livingston TN
I 100% agree with you!
When I tried synthetic fluid (Royal Purple) in my 98's transmission I could barely get the car to shift after about three weeks of driving. I was really worried that I damaged the paper blocker rings. I went back to the cheap stuff recommended by GM and noticed a huge improvement in less than fifty miles.
LO PHAT
When I tried synthetic fluid (Royal Purple) in my 98's transmission I could barely get the car to shift after about three weeks of driving. I was really worried that I damaged the paper blocker rings. I went back to the cheap stuff recommended by GM and noticed a huge improvement in less than fifty miles.
LO PHAT
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Warner Robins GA
I put a remote bleeder on my clutch and filled the system with DOT3. Did a complete flush and a few days later I got a squeak every time I pushed the clutch pedal. I got some Gunk brand DOT3 clutch fluid, did another complete bleed (thank you remote bleeder!) and the squeak went away. So my suggestion is to use a clutch-specific fluid to avoid the chance of getting that annoying squeak.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Spring TX
Good ol'el cheapo Valvoline Dexron ATF works best in my 98-tried synthetic for 4 or 5 months,but it wouldn't shift like it should till I put in what's recommended on the tranny tag.
You're going to get a lot of opinions on this,and I'm not saying the cheap stuff is the best for everyone-it just works best for me.
You're going to get a lot of opinions on this,and I'm not saying the cheap stuff is the best for everyone-it just works best for me.
A) cost a fortune
B) was not easy to get a hold of
C) i started getting a little "drip" between the diff and transmission.
All seemed smooth in my MT6 until a few hundred miles...Now it's an arm wrestle (especially with a B&M shifter) to get into gears.
Thats it! I'm going back to the cheap stuff..
However..........The rear end change to amsoil resulted in smooth quiet runs.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 9
From: FL
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Seem like no response to this. The clutch fluid and the transmission fluid are 2 different things.
- Clutch fluid (essentially brake fluid) is only in the hydraulic release system and has NOTHING to do with the internals of the transmission (gears blocker rings etc). It goes in the clutch fluid reservoir in the engine bay. I use prestone or valvoline dot 3/4.
- Transmission fluid (cars use Dexron ATF) goes inside the transmission. This is what contacts the internals of the transmission. I was recommended to use standard dextron ATF. Nothing crazy. You have to do this from under the car. There are drain and fill plugs on the side of the transmission case.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 555
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From: Celina TX
Thanks FixedRoof, I changed it this morning, came out very dirty looking and barely a hint of red to it. Refilled with Pennzoil ATF Dexron, took almost 3 1/2 quarts. Took for a test drive and instantly noticed a smoother shift feel. Think I'll tackle the differential fluid next.
Seem like no response to this. The clutch fluid and the transmission fluid are 2 different things.
- Clutch fluid (essentially brake fluid) is only in the hydraulic release system and has NOTHING to do with the internals of the transmission (gears blocker rings etc). It goes in the clutch fluid reservoir in the engine bay. I use prestone or valvoline dot 3/4.
- Transmission fluid (cars use Dexron ATF) goes inside the transmission. This is what contacts the internals of the transmission. I was recommended to use standard dextron ATF. Nothing crazy. You have to do this from under the car. There are drain and fill plugs on the side of the transmission case.
- Clutch fluid (essentially brake fluid) is only in the hydraulic release system and has NOTHING to do with the internals of the transmission (gears blocker rings etc). It goes in the clutch fluid reservoir in the engine bay. I use prestone or valvoline dot 3/4.
- Transmission fluid (cars use Dexron ATF) goes inside the transmission. This is what contacts the internals of the transmission. I was recommended to use standard dextron ATF. Nothing crazy. You have to do this from under the car. There are drain and fill plugs on the side of the transmission case.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 9
From: FL
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cool yeah. We just did a full fluid change on my buddies car today. Used Mobil 1 gear lube for the diff. Done it many times. It's not too hard, kinda similar to doing the trans fluid. Just less fluid to pump in there. Took almost 2 quarts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,798
Likes: 8
From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
I run Wilwood EXP600 for clutch fluid because of the high boiling points. Many run Motul 600 for the same reason.
Royal Purple in the tranny even though it has paper blocking rings. No problems at all to date. For the record RP lists sychromesh as compatible for my paper blocked tranny so who knows.
Royal Purple in the tranny even though it has paper blocking rings. No problems at all to date. For the record RP lists sychromesh as compatible for my paper blocked tranny so who knows.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
I use RP in the rear. Make sure what ever you use has friction modifier in it or add some to it. Also, make sure you remove the fill plug FIRST. It can get stuck. I am sure you dont want to have a car with no rear end fluid and a stuck fill plug. I had to remove mine with a chisel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,798
Likes: 8
From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
I use RP in the rear. Make sure what ever you use has friction modifier in it or add some to it. Also, make sure you remove the fill plug FIRST. It can get stuck. I am sure you dont want to have a car with no rear end fluid and a stuck fill plug. I had to remove mine with a chisel.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 794
From: Longview Texas
Since Dexron III is no longer stocked by the GM dealers, (probably to keep it from being confused with the Dexron IV used by newer automatic transmissions), I went with the GM Manual Transmission and transfer case fluid. It looks like the Dexron III, and is what the dealers now sell for manual transmissions that specified dexron III.
GM part number is 88861800
GM part number is 88861800
