Clutch reservoir question

[2gspider]

Hi all DSM lovers,

I'm a total newbie so please bear with me. I got a 98 Gs spyder a year ago, didn't drive it much until this spring. Today i start check fluids in the engine bay, i see the clutch reservoir is empty. What kind symptoms should i had experienced when the reservoir is this much empty?

Obviously, i need to refill it . Please look at the attach image, Can you tell what is the black googie stuffs, are those supposed to be in there? Should I wipe them off first before refill. Also is there any clutch fluid or type recommend?

Thanks a lot!

 

[romeen]

You should be most concerned about where it went. In other words you should be looking for a leak. Symptoms would be primarily a soft, mushy feel to the pedal if air has gotten into the system eventually leading to poor or no disengagement when you push the clutch pedal in. The sludge-type stuff in the bottom of the reservoir is somewhat normal. It is probably little bits of rubber from the system due to normal clutch operation. You can clean out as much as you can before refilling with DOT 3 brake fluid. When you bleed the system even more of the crap will be flushed out of the system. But again you should be concerned with a leak that has lead to you having no fluid left in the reservoir.

 

[synthetek]

Check the carpet under the clutch pedal, the fluid probably leaked there, if so you need to replace the clutch master cylinder.

 

[2gspider]

Thanks for the fast respond, Romeen. Well, i don't know if the owner of the car ever fill the clutch reservoir or not since i never looked at it when i bought it from mitsu dealer. However, like you said there could be a leak. I'm going to clean it up as much as i can, then refill with some Dot3 brake fluid to see if indeed leaking somewhere.

One problem i have with the clutch is sometimes the shifter refuse to go into 1st gear, i have to let off the clutch then press it down again to shift to 1st. It just the 1st gear though, the 2, 3, 4, 5 always good. Can this relate to the issue with the empty reservoir?

 

[2gspider]

I filled with some dot3 brake fluid to see if really leaking.

Ok, i think it really leaked. Do i just replace that black thingy or entire assembly? Sorry for lack technique terms.

Here are the pictures:

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[2gspider]

oops image didn't come up right.


http://img213.imageshack.us/my.php?image=leak1bh7.jpg

you can see it's dripping from the back tube thingy
http://img143.imageshack.us/my.php?image=leak3hq3.jpg

 

[romeen]

You need to replace your clutch master cylinder.