Clutch fluid
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 907
Likes: 27
From: The Woodlands TX
Clutch fluid
I bought my C6, 2008 Z51 M6, with 32K miles. Clutch fluid was black. The car currently has 37K miles and I have changed the clutch fluid twice using the ranger method. Although I've changed it twice in the past 5K miles, I can't seem to keep the fluid clean. It seems it turns black almost immediately after changing it. When using the ranger method, I am pumping the clutch and repeating the process until the fluid is completely clear.
I noticed today while rowing the gears it seems like my shifter got a little mushy and my pedal lost a tad bit of firmness while running high in the RPMs. I would like to keep the clutch fluid clean to help clutch life.
So is it normal for that the clutch fluid needs to be changed this often?
Thanks
I noticed today while rowing the gears it seems like my shifter got a little mushy and my pedal lost a tad bit of firmness while running high in the RPMs. I would like to keep the clutch fluid clean to help clutch life.
So is it normal for that the clutch fluid needs to be changed this often?
Thanks
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,099
Likes: 1,270
From: Harbor City California
Yes and no.
It depends on how the vehicle was driven and how the clutch was used.
The ranger method is easy but if your not carful you could induce air into the system that would require a proper bleed (via the slave cylinder). The unfortunate part is that in order to bleed the slave on a stock system you will need to to remove the stock H pipe and tunnel plate.
I hope this helps.
The woodlands Texas.... We are building a 600HP 383ci LS6 1981 Corvette for a customer that lives in The Woodland, Texas. Small world.
It depends on how the vehicle was driven and how the clutch was used.
The ranger method is easy but if your not carful you could induce air into the system that would require a proper bleed (via the slave cylinder). The unfortunate part is that in order to bleed the slave on a stock system you will need to to remove the stock H pipe and tunnel plate.
I hope this helps.
The woodlands Texas.... We are building a 600HP 383ci LS6 1981 Corvette for a customer that lives in The Woodland, Texas. Small world.
Last edited by American Heritage; Dec 11, 2013 at 01:50 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 7
From: Bristol raceway area
My clutch fluid was dark after 4,500 mi.
Used the Ranger method and it took 8 times to get the fluid to stay clear.
When you use the syringe or turkey baster to suck out the fluid, keep it AWAY from that center hole.
I use Prestone Dot 4, change it every year and Fluid stays clear.
Bob
Used the Ranger method and it took 8 times to get the fluid to stay clear.
When you use the syringe or turkey baster to suck out the fluid, keep it AWAY from that center hole.
I use Prestone Dot 4, change it every year and Fluid stays clear.
Bob
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 932
Likes: 4
When clean out the fluid reservoir, your only replacing some of the fluid.
When you change your oil do you only replace a few quarts?
I've used that method for a while. Every like other week Id do it.
Then my slave failed. When we pulled it out, the fluid was black like coffee. The reservoir only cleans the reservoir.
When you change your oil do you only replace a few quarts?
I've used that method for a while. Every like other week Id do it.
Then my slave failed. When we pulled it out, the fluid was black like coffee. The reservoir only cleans the reservoir.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 907
Likes: 27
From: The Woodlands TX
When clean out the fluid reservoir, your only replacing some of the fluid.
When you change your oil do you only replace a few quarts?
I've used that method for a while. Every like other week Id do it.
Then my slave failed. When we pulled it out, the fluid was black like coffee. The reservoir only cleans the reservoir.
When you change your oil do you only replace a few quarts?
I've used that method for a while. Every like other week Id do it.
Then my slave failed. When we pulled it out, the fluid was black like coffee. The reservoir only cleans the reservoir.
So what is recommended to pro long clutch life ? Having a shop do a complete flush ?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Not sure that anything needs to be done that often to increase clutch life. I have owned two C5 and one C6 manual cars since 1997. The 97 never had its clutch fluid bled, the 03 only had it bled once when I had a failed pressure plate replaced, and the C6 was bled twice in the last 4 years. Once when the engine was replaced and I had a remote bleeder installed and then two years later when I decided I might as well use the bleeder and bleed the clutch. When I did that I ran about 7 ozs of Pentosin Super DOT4 fluid (GM Recommended Fluid) through the hydraulics until the drained fluid ran clear. It took several months for the fluid to turn dark again.
Bill
Bill
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,387
Likes: 2,909
From: Fort Worth, Texas
A clutch that is slipped more is going to produce more dust which is going to contaminate the fluid faster ie if you do a lot of stop and go driving it's going to get dirtier quicker compared to cruising on the highway. IMHO the car should have come with a remote bleeder to properly bleed the clutch easier with the inherent design of the slave being in the bellhousing.
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SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
Just keep changing it via Ranger method and drive it. It will take many changes before it starts staying clear for any period of time. I changed mine about once a week for the first few months of my car's life before it started staying clear. Now, after seven years of use, the fluid stays clear for many months and I only have to change it about twice a year.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 34
One thing to keep in mind, seal will wear, even under normal operation from each clutch paddle stroke.
That said, I also use the Ranger's method. But only the siphon part. Then refill, drive the car and allow the contaminated fluid migrate through. That will take time and patience, but will get the job done eventually, all without causing unnecessary premature wear to the seals.
***With the current design, I would be weary of suggestions from anyone - questioning the need to change out the clutch fluid to extend clutch life.
That said, I also use the Ranger's method. But only the siphon part. Then refill, drive the car and allow the contaminated fluid migrate through. That will take time and patience, but will get the job done eventually, all without causing unnecessary premature wear to the seals.
***With the current design, I would be weary of suggestions from anyone - questioning the need to change out the clutch fluid to extend clutch life.