dirty clutch fluid

[ziggycv8z]

I just went to check the fluids and I found this muck and some condensation in the clutch reservoir. Has anybody else had this before and what could be the cause.
http://images.cainer.net//uploads/DSC00871.jpg

[German Statesman]

Clutch fluid is hydroscopic, which means it attracts water. Coupled with the high temps of the engine bay and the wear and tear of the cylinder sleeve, I would expect what you have to be normal.

Just to be sure, grab some of the muck and run it between your thumb & finger - feel for metal or strange particles in it just to put yourself at ease.

Cheers

JOHN

[BLOWN_VXSS]

mine is the same, just assumed i need to flush it with some new fluid - another job when i get around to it.

[Panelman]

Mine was the same mate. This is normal.
Just flushed clutch and brake fluids at 50k service. How many K's have you done?

[MrMaad]

I've just had Gary at Chev's change my fluid and i can say it feels alot better. I'd say get it flushed and replaced, your foot will feel the difference.

[ziggycv8z]

The car has 15k on it but due to the clutch pedal having a bad vibration, the clutch was replaced under warranty at 13k. The vibration came back 200km later so Holden took the box out again at 13, 400km and replaced the clutch kit including the flywheel. So I would assume that this fluid is only 8 weeks old (1600km)
BTW I still have vibration in the clutch pedal

Nick

[macca_779]

It doesn't take long for this to occur. I have a new master, new slave and new fluid thats been in mine for a bit over a month and it has already started to get contaminated. I just suck the crap out with a syringe.

[karter42]

It doesn't take long for this to occur. I have a new master, new slave and new fluid thats been in mine for a bit over a month and it has already started to get contaminated. I just suck the crap out with a syringe.

Yeah I do the same macca, every month or so suck it out with a syringe, works well.

[ED]

There is nothing wrong with it. Its just rubber from the hose the clutch fluid passes through, gets hot and mixes with the fluid, have seen it in most of the manuals. I syringe mine out every week too and just wipe the crap out with a clean cloth. All good done 100 000 hard kays, original slave, and master. 3rd clutch :)

[DaveHAT]

There is nothing wrong with it. Its just rubber from the hose the clutch fluid passes through, gets hot and mixes with the fluid, have seen it in most of the manuals. I syringe mine out every week too and just wipe the crap out with a clean cloth. All good done 100 000 hard kays, original slave, and master. 3rd clutch :)

Agreed totally Ed, I am lead to believe that the OEM clutch line runs Uber close to the right hand header bank (please correct me if wrong) which transfers the heat to the clutch line and frigs the quality of the clutch fluid ultra quickly.

The best fix as I understand it is to run a braided line across the top of the bellhousing which will reduce the amount of contamination and heat damage caused to the fluid. I have a tex clutch with the braided line fitted and the fluid still turns a shitty colour but seems to take longer.

As said, just suck the fluid from the reservoir out with a syringe at regular intervals, easiest and cheapest solution.

[ziggycv8z]

Thanks for that guys. Looks like I'll be getting a syringe for now. A tex and braided line are on the to do list.

Nick

[Gen3Man]

Yeah I had the same thing with my VZ clubby.
Excpet the dealer told me GM must have put in contaminated clutch fluid.
Had bubbles in it too.
First gear was hard to engage at times.
Fluid change - fixed it .

[ac2001au]

Similar to the issues with the American GTOs ...

http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68130&highlight=change+clutch+fluid

There's a GM bulletin in the states for this .... is there one from Holden?

AC