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Clutch Fluid Problem???
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,027
Likes: 0
From: The Lost Borough, NYC
Clutch Fluid Problem???
Ok I was driving my car today, took the top down. I was at a dead stop, I gave it some throttle and revved it and pulled the clutch out to launch it... the clutch stuck to the floor as I pressed the gas a bit harder (I didnt realize the clutch stuck to the floor at first). I noticed the car wasnt moving but revving high, The clutch wouldnt move until I let off the gas...
The engine calmed down and then I was able to use my clutch I put it in gear and took off slowly. I also smelled the clutch heated up badly (smelled like brakes do). I pulled over and lifted the hood. I noticed the clutch fluid is dark and right at the MIN line... Would the low/dark hydraulic fluid contribute to what happened?
The sad thing is that I remember reading on this before (changing the clutch fluid and keeping it clean). And I meant to do it not too long ago when it was getting darker and lower. Shame on me!
Also how do any of you recommend changing this? What type of fluid do I use DOT 3 brake fluid. I will read the manual now and see if its posted in there what fluid to use.
Thanks for any help!
The engine calmed down and then I was able to use my clutch I put it in gear and took off slowly. I also smelled the clutch heated up badly (smelled like brakes do). I pulled over and lifted the hood. I noticed the clutch fluid is dark and right at the MIN line... Would the low/dark hydraulic fluid contribute to what happened?
The sad thing is that I remember reading on this before (changing the clutch fluid and keeping it clean). And I meant to do it not too long ago when it was getting darker and lower. Shame on me!
Also how do any of you recommend changing this? What type of fluid do I use DOT 3 brake fluid. I will read the manual now and see if its posted in there what fluid to use.
Thanks for any help!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 42
From: shavertown Pa.
Should have been keeping an eye on that fluid, now the best thing to do is get it out of there, I bought an enema syringe at the drug store, and change the fluid in my car if it looks cloudy.
Just buy quality brake fluid the GM stuff price tag will stop your heart with the price, just suck the fluid out look for bits of black and wipe the container out useing paper towels, and check the fluid every so often if it looks dark suck it out again.
Just buy quality brake fluid the GM stuff price tag will stop your heart with the price, just suck the fluid out look for bits of black and wipe the container out useing paper towels, and check the fluid every so often if it looks dark suck it out again.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,027
Likes: 0
From: The Lost Borough, NYC
Thanks guys.... I will search ranger and need for speeds posts on this issue... I am gonna goto a drug store and get one of those enema syringes to do this job.
I read the owners manual and found that chevy recommends
GM part no. US 88958860
Super DOT-4 brake fluid
I will goto the autostore tomorrow morning (pep boys, or RS Strauss) and pick up some DOT-4 brake fluid. I am assuming it doesnt have to come from GM.
I read the owners manual and found that chevy recommends
GM part no. US 88958860
Super DOT-4 brake fluid
I will goto the autostore tomorrow morning (pep boys, or RS Strauss) and pick up some DOT-4 brake fluid. I am assuming it doesnt have to come from GM.
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Portland OR
St. Jude Donor '10
Is that DOT5.1 Syn then? I purposely stayed away from synthetic doing mine just to stay compatible with the non-syn DOT4 that was in there.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,027
Likes: 0
From: The Lost Borough, NYC
I am using Castrol LMA in mine now, and so far so good.
I went to my local dealership to buy another can of pensotin (the brand they use) and they started to hand me a small bottle of the castrol LMA. I declined buying it from the dealer because I got it cheaper elsewhere. So far no problems using it, but it still gets black fast. Well I do tend to drive a bit hard at least once or twice when taking the car out.
I went to my local dealership to buy another can of pensotin (the brand they use) and they started to hand me a small bottle of the castrol LMA. I declined buying it from the dealer because I got it cheaper elsewhere. So far no problems using it, but it still gets black fast. Well I do tend to drive a bit hard at least once or twice when taking the car out.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
From: Columbia South Carolina
I changed mine few days ago after few hard runs down the track. Fluid was never changed before and now at 28000 miles - it was black.
I flushed it 5 times, drove about 20-30 miles (lot of light to light kind of driving involving a lot of shifting) and then flushed it again 5 times.
Fluid looks almost clear now.
(Cost: 9$ - 3$ fluid, 3$ pump, 3$ roll of paper)
This time i went with Brake Fluid DOT4 (ranger recommended it) but next time, I will go with GM recommended. Either way they both will do what it supposed to do but GM costs 4 x more.
I plan to change mine after hard racing or every 3 months
Hope that helps and cures your clutch problem.
