the diaphragm in the cap to my clutch resevoir is extremely enlarged and probably not working correctly. I want to replace it but have a difficult time finding the right cap. I search on here and found someone referencing part number 19208898. While that does show to be a GM cap, I can't find a picture of it anywhere. Anyone had luck with this and can verify its the right cap? 2008 base model.

This is important to replace since its enlarged, correct??


Thanks!

 

Can't you push it back in?

That part number is correct.

http://www.wholesalegmpartsonline.co.../19208898.html

 

No reason to replace it...push it back to flat and add some DOT4.

 

Really?? It's so enlarged it will hardly fit back inside the reservoir. When I tried to push it, it made fluid spill out. Anyone have a pic of one that's normal looking???

 

The diaphragm can expand way out to compensate for volume changes in the hydraulic fluid. Push the diaphragm back up into the cap. Then put the cap back on the reservoir.

 

I will try to upload a picture of it. It's not the length that's expanded out but the width. Like it's too wide to fit back into the reservoir without pinching it.

 

 

Its not enlarged.

Pull it from the cap, push the inner piece up farther up, then push the center back down to add a second fold to it.

Here is what is should look like with the two folds,

 

what do do you mean by "inner piece up farther up?"

 

i tried to do this and the valve fell out and will not stay in now. The diaphragm is so wide that it is bigger than the hole on the resevoir.

 

it pushed all the way out,


It pushed all the way in to get the first fold at just before the top of side ribs,


Now making the second inner fold before putting it back it the cap.




As for once you have it folded correctly and in the cap, when you install it into into the tank, it should snug to the sides of the tank to prevent air from leaking through the sides.

In this photo, your past the outer fold line since the outer fold line is past the side ribs, and have not push the center back down to get the second inner fold line.

 

Think of it like an accordion.

 

Thanks guys so much! Ok I have tried the fold and it's just not working. Pics below. The plastic value falls out with every movement and when i do finally get it back inside the cap, it is way bigger than the resevoir top and I have to scrunch it together to get it to go in. I may have to just order a cap? What risk am I putting on my clutch driving like this?!

This is what it looks like when I remove the lid
This one doesn't stand up correctly like the one pictured above. It seems out of shape and distorted
First fold
Second fold

See the overhang for it to fit inside the resevoir

 

At this point I think you should just buy a new cap.

Incidentally, brake fluid is kind of nasty. It is a potent paint stripper so try not to get it on things like your car's bodywork or that laptop. Fortunately it's hygroscopic, so you can wash it off with water.

When the new cap arrives, use a turkey baster to suck out all that used fluid that's been absorbing humidity for the last week and refill the reservoir with new stuff.

 

good point. Do I have to suck it out like 5 /6 times like I've watched on you tube or so I just do it once? The clutch makes me nervous cause I don't wanna screw it up in anyway!

 

All too sexually explicit for me...where is the edit police when you need them? These pics should be banned...I think you just need a new one!!

 

You get an "A" for your origami skills, but a F mark for being mechanic inclined of putting a square peg in a round hole.

If the game plan is to do the ranger fluid change, then that can be first down without the rubber diapham in the cap (you just the cap for that).




As for when you are going to install the cap with diaphragm correctly folded (using the old one), then squeeze the diaphragm bottom fold sides in to get it started in the tank with the fluid to the full fill line, then you can use the cap to press the rest of the diaphragm into place tight against the top of the fluid in the tank. The diaphragm will take its old shape in a week of two once it in the tank.
Note to point out, you can install the diaphragm in the tank without the cap, then install the cap to the diaphragm when you installing it on the tank.

Hence even a new diaphragm will be tight to the sides of the tank. The way that the diaphragm works is is holds tight to the sides of the tank, and its seated to the top of the fluid in the tank. As the fluid lowers in the tank, the diaphragm will unfold to lower down to keep air from reaching the the fluid isntead.

Hence the tank was low of fluid for a long time to cause the diaphragm to slightly distort, or someone did not know how to fold the diaphragm correctly, and why it in the shape it is now.

 

Im not sure why the F for mechanic skills...I was just simply showing you the issue with the diaphragm. I'm going to try a new cap and I'm hoping that cap comes with a new diaphragm? The value on my diaphragm isn't working correctly now at all because it won't stay in the diaphragm. I just bought the car a few months ago so I can't say who or how the diaphragm could have been folded. I appreciate your help!

 

No worries, and have lost count of all the times I have seen a used vet on some used car dealer lot with the fluid in the clutch reserve tank dam near empty, the diaphragm sucked all the way down, and what is left of the fluid is pitch black with clutch dust on the bottom of the tank under the fluid, and small parts of rubber from the seals floating on the top.

Hence this is a dead give away that who ever did any servicing on the vet before they tried to sell it, does not have a clue, and makes you wonder what else they may have missed when servicing the car to get it ready for sale.

Since I think that you the one that just got the vet, try to find a seasoned vet owner that can do a once over on your car to see if anything else may need be corrected as well. Hence if the clutch fluid looks that bad and was not corrected, then bank that the brake fluid is long over due for a power flush as well (should be power flushed about every 3 years).

Also, pull the vin number up on the GM recall site, and see if there are any outstanding recalls that need to be done to the car for free as well.
https://my.gm.com/recalls

 

thanks for the info! There was a recall concerning my headlights that's I've actually had a problem with! Got an appt to get that fixed!