clutch fluid disappearing

[Kmiller86]

Hi, i have an issue that i cant figure out. I was looking at all my fluid levels before i put my car away for winter here in wisconsin and i noticed that i have no clutch fluid in the resivoir?? there is nothing dripping ont he ground and up to that time i have not noticed any problems with my clutch which is a clutch master stage 4. Thanks

 

[steve]

The two most likely places to leak or the slave and the master cylinders. Check both.

Steve

 

[Defiant]

Check under the rubber covers on both. Look for a wet carpet under the master.

 

[Kmiller86]

there is nothing wet on the carpet and i dont see anything leaking. could it be that its only low and its still in the lines just not filling up the resivoir. i dont remember the last time i checked it because ive never head a problem

 

[mitsuclipsegsx]

i was leaving work today and noticed the clutch was very low, got home and their was no clutch fluid,no leaks on the ground or on the carpet inside?? should i just fill it up? And what kind should i use?
thanks

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

i was leaving work today and noticed the clutch was very low, got home and their was no clutch fluid,no leaks on the ground or on the carpet inside?? should i just fill it up? And what kind should i use?
thanks

Just use any DOT3 brake fluid. Fill it and then check on it every morning, if it's lowering you have a leak somewhere.

 

[mitsuclipsegsx]

Just use any DOT3 brake fluid. Fill it and then check on it every morning, if it's lowering you have a leak somewhere.

you put brake fluid in the clutch canister?

 

[S_Ranger]

you put brake fluid in the clutch canister?

But of course. Thanks for posting this topic cuz I was having the same problem. Imma go check for leaks now...

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

you put brake fluid in the clutch canister?

Yes the clutch and brakes are both hydraulic and use the same fluid. If you go to autozone you probably won't find any "clutch" fluid.

 

[Defiant]

Also note the clutch system isn't fussy about its fluid. 3, 4, or even 5 is okay. And yes, they will mix. Just don't mix mineral and synthetic.

 

[mitsuclipsegsx]

i put it in,but the clutch still is low, feels different ,does it take time? i drove around and felt and same and i check the fluid it is fine...

 

[TurkF26]

if theres air in the system you may have to get under your car and bleed the slave cylinder.

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

If it went bone dry you will definelty need to bleed the system.

 

[mitsuclipsegsx]

its not bone dry yet? if canister is still full, and clutch is low, is it still ok to drive till i fix it, casue their is a dsm meet in albany this weekend...

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

You said in your first post you had no clutch fluid. If you drive this way air got in the system and you have to bleed it.

 

[calcifer]

Pull back the rubber boot on your slave cylinder, if fluid spills out, your slave cylinder is bad. Its very easy to replace (I was able to do it, so it must be easy), but if its bad and you keep driving it, it could strand you by not letting you get into gear. There is a nice vfaq about it, and make sure you bleed the system properly after the install.

 

[mitsuclipsegsx]

You said in your first post you had no clutch fluid. If you drive this way air got in the system and you have to bleed it.

correct then about an hour ago,i filled it up.. no signs of leaking yet

 

[calcifer]

correct then about an hour ago,i filled it up.. no signs of leaking yet

Yeah, but you could have an air bubble between the resevoir and the rest of the system that is keeping the fluid from going down. Bleed it.

 

[mitsuclipsegsx]

Yeah, but you could have an air bubble between the resevoir and the rest of the system that is keeping the fluid from going down. Bleed it.

where do i bleed it.. its like under the tranny right?

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

The bleed valve is attached to the slave cylinder.

 

[calcifer]

Yeah, the underside of the tranny, towards the passenger side. Look at the vfaq about replacing your slave cylinder, it describes exactly how to bleed your system.

 

[mitsuclipsegsx]

The bleed valve is attached to the slave cylinder.

thats by the clutch fluid canister right??

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

thats by the clutch fluid canister right??

Here is the VFAQ:http://www.plymouthlaser.com/slave2.htm

It's for a 1G but a 2G is very similar. Here is the part on the bleeding



Please check the manuals on bleeding, I suggest it strongly. What I did:

I had a helper pump the clutch 3 times. I opened the bleeder while it squirted out and then closed it. Repeated a bunch of times to flush the system. Check the master reservoir to make sure it does not go empty. If it does air gets in and wastes your time.

Finally, do the pump again and close the bleeder the best you can with the pliers. Pull the socket off and tighten it better with a box end wrench. Pump the clutch and it should be stiff. Inspect the slave boot for leaks as well as the inside of the firewall under the dash. That is where the master cylinder likes to leak.



I highly suggest you get a Chiltons or buy a dsm manual cd

 

[mitsuclipsegsx]

The bleed valve is attached to the slave cylinder.

hey can u sign on AIM got some ques for u

 

[calcifer]

thats by the clutch fluid canister right??

No, its on the slave cylinder, on the bottom side of your tranny, like I just said.