Low Clutch fluid - Update
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 908
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Low Clutch fluid - Update
I posted a few days ago about having low clutch fluid. The car is 4 yrs old with 10k miles and I just noticed that the fluid was 1/4 inch low.
Some said (as does the OM) that this should never happen, but the car is 4 years old with maybe 60,000 clutch actuations. I replaced and refilled the fluid and all has been well this week. What I neglected to mention was that the car was in the shop for a week prior to all this for a transmission repair (leak in a trans pump O-ring).
Is is possible that during the tranny pull and replacement that some clutch fluid was lost? Why whould my (now) shady service dept give me the car back with low fluid? They also gave me the car back filthy inside and with some new scratches on the door sill too.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Some said (as does the OM) that this should never happen, but the car is 4 years old with maybe 60,000 clutch actuations. I replaced and refilled the fluid and all has been well this week. What I neglected to mention was that the car was in the shop for a week prior to all this for a transmission repair (leak in a trans pump O-ring).
Is is possible that during the tranny pull and replacement that some clutch fluid was lost? Why whould my (now) shady service dept give me the car back with low fluid? They also gave me the car back filthy inside and with some new scratches on the door sill too.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 5
From: Thousand Oaks California
A 1/4" drop is not excessive. The clutch system will automatically compensate for clutch wear (self adjusting, same as for the hydraulic brake system). That may be why you see the drop.
When the dealer did a repair at the transmission, I doubt that they disturbed the hydraulic clutch system.
When the dealer did a repair at the transmission, I doubt that they disturbed the hydraulic clutch system.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,396
Likes: 169
Yes, as the clutch disk wears and becomes thinner, the resevoir will add fluid to the system to compensate, and show a little lower, This is normal, and as long as the fluid level doesn't fall below the mininum, you're fine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 5
From: Thousand Oaks California
1/4" below the "Full" or "Max" mark is not a problem. 1/4" below the "Min" mark may be a cause for concern. I would fill it back up to the full mark and keep an eye on the level. If there is a hydraulic leak you will see some of the DOT 4 on the ground.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 908
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
It was 1/4 inch below the MIN mark. Somehow I think maybe the service tech let some drip out during the tranny removal.
I re-filled it last weekend, and so far it hasn't lost any...but I've only put about 3 miles on her.
I re-filled it last weekend, and so far it hasn't lost any...but I've only put about 3 miles on her.
