clutch fluid change.
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 95
Likes: 6
From: San Francisco CA
clutch fluid change.
So doing maintenance stuff on 2000 C5 with 31,000. mi on it. Not a big time mechanic. Was going to change as much clutch fluid (probably not able to get much) using "ranger method" as car probably has original fluid from 18 years ago. Understand suck out as much fluid as possible from master with turkey baster type thing but not dry to bottom to keep from letting any air into system, refill with fresh then pumping clutch pedal 30+ times and repeat till clear.
Dot 4 synthetic any better than regular old dot 3? Anything else to consider? No clutch problems at present or at least until I start messing with.
Appreciate any input from owners who actually know what they are doing,
Thanks!
Dot 4 synthetic any better than regular old dot 3? Anything else to consider? No clutch problems at present or at least until I start messing with.
Appreciate any input from owners who actually know what they are doing,
Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Da U.P.
Ranger method is pretty worthless. I ended up installing a remote bleeder after doing it the hard way a couple of times. You have to drop the h pipe and tunnel pan to access the stock bleeder. Do that though and the fluid will stay cleaner much longer than the ranger method. I didn't even get around the block and my fluid was black again. I must have performed 20 fluid exchanges and the result was the same every time.
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From: Poway CA
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I've done the "ranger" method 3-4 times over 20 years.
I use the "GM Clutch fluid".. not sure if it has an additive, but I think it's not straight brake fluid??
I can't say that it helped for sure.. but it sure didn't hurt! 80K miles and 20 years later.. original clutch, original fluid (other than partial flushes).
I use the "GM Clutch fluid".. not sure if it has an additive, but I think it's not straight brake fluid??
I can't say that it helped for sure.. but it sure didn't hurt! 80K miles and 20 years later.. original clutch, original fluid (other than partial flushes).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
My dad has worked at a GM service department for 30 some years.
He recently advised me that yes, GM fluid has an additive, and further advised failure to use same may cause issues with the clutch hoses/seals.
He recently advised me that yes, GM fluid has an additive, and further advised failure to use same may cause issues with the clutch hoses/seals.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 95
Likes: 6
From: San Francisco CA
Ranger method is pretty worthless. I ended up installing a remote bleeder after doing it the hard way a couple of times. You have to drop the h pipe and tunnel pan to access the stock bleeder. Do that though and the fluid will stay cleaner much longer than the ranger method. I didn't even get around the block and my fluid was black again. I must have performed 20 fluid exchanges and the result was the same every time.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 95
Likes: 6
From: San Francisco CA
I've done the "ranger" method 3-4 times over 20 years.
I use the "GM Clutch fluid".. not sure if it has an additive, but I think it's not straight brake fluid??
I can't say that it helped for sure.. but it sure didn't hurt! 80K miles and 20 years later.. original clutch, original fluid (other than partial flushes).
I use the "GM Clutch fluid".. not sure if it has an additive, but I think it's not straight brake fluid??
I can't say that it helped for sure.. but it sure didn't hurt! 80K miles and 20 years later.. original clutch, original fluid (other than partial flushes).
Manual say use "Hydraulic Clutch Fluid GM part no. 12345347 OR equivalent DOT 3 Brake fluid" so makes me wonder if additive in the GM stuff. Who knows.
New problem in that I've searched web for the GM stuff but with part number, keeps coming up as "discontinued"
Always something. will check with dealer.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 95
Likes: 6
From: San Francisco CA
Been trying to find the GM fluid. Manual say use " Hydraulic Clutch Fluid (GM Part No. 12345347 OR equivalent DOT-3 Brake fluid) keeps coming up at different sites as "discontinued" with GM part number.
If there is an additive in the GM stuff wonder why they also recommend DOT-3? Maybe they figure let the hoses and seals take a beating so you'll come in for the repairs.
Also saw somewhere that GM now recommends DOT-4 (I think synthetic) for all corvette clutch fluid. Could definitely be wrong about that as i can't even remember where i read it.
Any idea where I might be able to find the GM fluid? I will call dealer to check. Or should I maybe just go with DOT-4 synthetic? Might be only choice.
Thanks again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
Idk. Earlier this year when I told him my clutch was acting up / sticking to the floor / not releasing and I was doing the ranger method with dot4, thought he was going to have a cow. Amongst other things, thats when he told me about whatever additive in the GM fluid - IIRC, it was a silicone based - which is what causes the fluid to become dark.
ultimately had to replace the slave cyl. Been fine ever since.
ultimately had to replace the slave cyl. Been fine ever since.
Last edited by aj98; Sep 12, 2018 at 11:58 PM.
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