M/T clutch fluid dirty

2Gturbo4cheap · Jan 27, 2015

Ok so i just have a general question now. clutch fluid resevoir small cylinder top right under the hood. the fluid for the clutch master cylinder is filthy its supposed to be clear but its black and filthy. now a neighbor told me that im not supposed to change it because of how old the car is, (1997) but i find that hard to believe since he says he doesnt know much about "those kind of cars" so my question is, would it be necessary to change out my clutch fluid? the reason for this decision is because: 1) my clutch is kind of sticky; 2) the fluid is just dirty, completely dark & dirty & i dont know when the last time it was changed anyway. Soooo i need some more opinions.

1990dsmkid · Jan 27, 2015

I would change it. Then after putting in new fluid, bleed it and adjust it properly. Jack had a video on adjusting the clutch for best possible throw. Do some searching and you will find how to bleed and adjust after draining. Make sure to use at least dot 3 brake fluid. Goodluck

2gmitsueclipse · Jan 27, 2015

Before a bleed, check the condition of the master cylinder under the dash where it enters the car through the firewall. Also check the condition of the condition of the slave cylinder. Bleed from the slave cylinder until there is no air and fluid is clear. I would HIGHLY recommend that you fill that with fresh fluid. I wouldn't take any more advice from your neighbor in regard to your car. I would also check out the tutorial on clutch adjustment below:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Here is additional helpful information about bleeding a clutch system:

http://www.howacarworks.com/transmission/bleeding-the-clutch

2Gturbo4cheap · Jan 27, 2015

ok so ill change it. have to find a sunny day to do that. and autozone has a clutch fluid. which one is preferred? clutch fluid or DOT 3 brake fluid. now also my neighbor stated that if you take the bleed screw out incorrectly that you can mess up the transmission and if that happens that you have to take the whole transmission apart to reset the screw. how accurate is that?

2gmitsueclipse · Jan 27, 2015

DO NOT LISTEN TO YOUR NEIGHBOR!!!!!!
You will be just looking for DOT 3 or above brake fluid. There is no such thing a clutch fluid at the auto store. They will laugh at you if you were to ask for it. Pick up a Haynes or Chilton manual while you are there and check out the book instead of asking your neighbor for anything about a car. You only loosen the crew to bleed. It is not even on the trans-axle. Please read my previous post for more information.

jakelandry · Jan 27, 2015

It's dirty due to a worn cylinder. Likely the master.

Nick97dsm · Jan 27, 2015

make sure during the bleeding process to not i repeat DO NOT again DO NOT press the clutch pedal completely to the floor put a 4x4 block of wood under the pedal and pump the pedal, if you compress the pedal completely press that pedal to the floor without the wood you will press the the piston in the cylinder and the piston will get stuck and then the cylinder will be bad and need to be replaced. so heed the warning and make sure you do it right and not ruing your system from lack of information. if you need the information on how to do this i have complete readings from mitchell on demand and other books that i can post links and pdfs.

2gmitsueclipse · Jan 27, 2015

Nick97dsm said:
make sure during the bleeding process to not i repeat DO NOT again DO NOT press the clutch pedal completely to the floor put a 4x4 block of wood under the pedal and pump the pedal, if you compress the pedal completely press that pedal to the floor without the wood you will press the the piston in the cylinder and the piston will get stuck and then the cylinder will be bad and need to be replaced. so heed the warning and make sure you do it right and not ruing your system from lack of information. if you need the information on how to do this i have complete readings from mitchell on demand and other books that i can post links and pdfs.

What!?
In all the years I have only replaced two master cylinders and bleed my clutch system at least once a year. Good luck getting a 4 x 4 under the clutch pedal. Here is something more widely accepted as a bleeding procedure for a DSM:

http://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/how-to-bleed-your-clutch.60319/

1990dsmkid · Jan 27, 2015

Nick97dsm said:
make sure during the bleeding process to not i repeat DO NOT again DO NOT press the clutch pedal completely to the floor put a 4x4 block of wood under the pedal and pump the pedal, if you compress the pedal completely press that pedal to the floor without the wood you will press the the piston in the cylinder and the piston will get stuck and then the cylinder will be bad and need to be replaced. so heed the warning and make sure you do it right and not ruing your system from lack of information. if you need the information on how to do this i have complete readings from mitchell on demand and other books that i can post links and pdfs.

Wrong. You do not pump the clutch pedal. That is for brakes. Doing the clutch you press to floor and hold while someone else cracks open the slave cylinder. Then tighten slave and let pedal back up. Might have to help pedal back up. Then repeat until no more air is in the clutch line. If i was on laptop Id post the correct process for clutch bleeding

The Top DSM Community on the Web

M/T clutch fluid dirty

2Gturbo4cheap

1990dsmkid

2gmitsueclipse

2Gturbo4cheap

2gmitsueclipse

jakelandry

Nick97dsm

2gmitsueclipse

1990dsmkid

Similar threads

Latest posts

Build Thread Updates

Vendor Updates

Latest Classifieds