Clutch Oil Breakdown
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,406
Likes: 990
From: Carlsbad Ca
If the fluid degrades via heat, then insulation of the fluid is in order. There isn't much that can be done down at the slave, but the line from the master to the slave goes right by the exhaust header...
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 484
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
I found that my clutch engagement was much smoother and under more control after getting rid of the dark brown clutch fluid. Much easier and pleasant to drive. So I continue to change it whenever is starts getting brown again. The expense is neglegible and the time to do it is almost nothing.
I started doing the "Ranger Turkey-Baster" clutch reservoir siphoning method over a year ago when I first experienced my first "sticky pedal". After the initial cleaning out of all the gunk and consequent fluid replacements I can honestly say the difference in shifting & clutch engagement is like night & day! Never another sticky pedal, and it shifts like butter now, LOL!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 484
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
When I got my car the clutch fluid had 9000 miles on it and was PITCH BLACK... I changed it... Noticed no difference at all... I change it every time I change the oil; it is always black, but it never feels any different pre or post change... When I took it to the drag stip the fluid had 3000 miles on it and was black; the car launched fine every time, clutch pedal never felt weird, never stuck to the floor, etc... Maybe I'm just lucky? I drive this car SUPER HARD, have raced it competitively, driven it at over 180miles an hour, redline the first 4 gears at least a few times every week, etc... Even now with 39000 miles and 597HP at the wheels on a stock clutch I am still having zero clutch issues... Its been 4000 miles since I supercharged it and I'm on the same clutch fluid since the last change... My pedal has NEVER stuck to the floor. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,578
Likes: 61
From: Austin TX
The problem with the C6 system is lack of proper volume of fluid, IMO, and a larger resevour would cure most of the issues. Even the best fluid won't last that long if there isn't enough to volume to stay cool. I will be installing Amsoil DOT4 tonight, it has a boiling point of 580F.
I have a Honda Civic that has 83k miles and the clutch fluid is till pink and clean and has never been changed.
I have a Honda Civic that has 83k miles and the clutch fluid is till pink and clean and has never been changed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 1
From: NJ..."the way I saw it, everyone takes a beating sometimes."
When doing the innitial siphoning method you have to go thru the procedure of siphoning, filling, pressing the clutch pedal 10-15 times, repeat. You're supposed to do this until the fluid stays clear(ish) after pumping the clutch pedal. This is what cleans out the system. After that it's basically just maintenance whenever you feel like it. Once a month, every 1000 miles, 3000, miles, every oil change, whatever. But first you have to get it to stay clear. That was the method I used and my fluid doesn't get black anymore.
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
When doing the innitial siphoning method you have to go thru the procedure of siphoning, filling, pressing the clutch pedal 10-15 times, repeat. You're supposed to do this until the fluid stays clear(ish) after pumping the clutch pedal. This is what cleans out the system. After that it's basically just maintenance whenever you feel like it. Once a month, every 1000 miles, 3000, miles, every oil change, whatever. But first you have to get it to stay clear. That was the method I used and my fluid doesn't get black anymore.
It took about six changes for me to get it to stay reasonably clear. When I first started doing this, I would change fluid, drive two or three days, change again, drive two or three days etc. Now I just change ir regularly about once a month. Such a small time investment and expense is hardly not worth doing.
