I assume that the clutch uses the same fluid as the brakes, which should probably be changed from time to time. I know that many of you guys change your brake fluid pretty often, but I haven't heard of anyone changing the clutch fluid. If old brake fluid causes less responsive, spongy brakes, would the same old clutch fluid also cause clutch disengagement problems (possibly increasing the occurance of grinding into gears)?

How often should the clutch fluid be changed?

 

I should have done a search before posting this. I just found a few old threads on this.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...?threadid=17331
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...?threadid=51442
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...?threadid=31237

 

I bled my clutch system today and the clutch pedal now seems to have a longer play than before. I've done everything by the book. What could be the problem, if there is a problem?

BTW, I did it like I was bleeding the brakes - open bleeder, press down the pedal, close bleeder, then release the pedal. However, unlike the brake pedal, the clutch pedal would not come back to it's "up" position. I had to pull it with my hand about halfway before the pedal would spring back to its original position. Does this sound right?

Thanks.

 

Check out Marcucci's thread (https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&postid=1014135). This may just be the way it is.

 

Thanks! I'll try to adjust the pedal like Todd did and see if it helps.

 

While changing the clutch fluid on occasion is good, it is not critical. With brakes a little moisture build-up can be a problem because the brake heat can boil the water at 212F creating bubbles and a mushy pedal. The clutch fluid is not exposed to that kind of heat so there is little impact to the moisture absorption.

 

That's why there isn't a maintenance schedule for changing out the clutch fluid.

 

Have you noticed black stuff building up in the bottom of the fluid reservoir. I've noticed it on several Ss , clutch and break. The stuff looks like the black stuff you collect on the underside of the hood where the air flows. It looks like the spoon covers would stop it from entering. Last brakes I flushed we drained the fluid and wiped the black crap up with some clean kleenex...just like new. Who else has experienced this crap and what do you think it is? are the master cylinder covers totally inadequate to keep out particulate mater?

 

Never noticed in the brake reservoir, maybe because I bleed the brakes often, but there was a lot of fine black powder-like stuff in the clutch reservoir. I wiped off most of it with a shop towel.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by spider
[B]Never noticed in the brake reservoir, maybe because I bleed the brakes often, but there was a lot of fine black powder-like stuff in the clutch reservoir.