Changing Hydraulic Clutch Fluid

[TopVette]

Hi Mike,

My name is TopVette. Great forum here. I need some advice on how to change the hydraulic fluid for my clutch. Would you be able to give me some direction? Thank you.:wave:

[MKOTZE]

Hi TopVette, Normally when changing the hydraulic fluid on the clutch first you would siphon as much fluid out of the master cylinder reservoir as you can. Then add new fluid, this system does not hold much fluid. Then proceed to bleed the air out of the system. The procedure is similar to when you bleed brakes you push the clutch pedal to the floor and hold it there while someone else opens the bleeder on the clutch actuator cylinder. Repeat procedure until you get clean fluid and no air. Unfortunately, access to the bleeder for the clutch is very difficult. In order to access the bleeder you will need to jack-up the car and support it with jack stands. Then you will need to remove the intermediate exhaust pipe. Next you will need to remove the drive shaft tunnel close-out panel and this should give you access to the bleeder. Considering this procedure is fairly involved I would not recommend doing it for a general maintenance item. GM does not have any recommended maintenance time schedule for changing the fluid. I Hope this helps.:chevy:MKOTZE

[TopVette]

Originally posted by MKOTZE
Hi TopVette, Normally when changing the hydraulic fluid on the clutch first you would siphon as much fluid out of the master cylinder reservoir as you can. Then add new fluid, this system does not hold much fluid. Then proceed to bleed the air out of the system. The procedure is similar to when you bleed brakes you push the clutch pedal to the floor and hold it there while someone else opens the bleeder on the clutch actuator cylinder. Repeat procedure until you get clean fluid and no air. Unfortunately, access to the bleeder for the clutch is very difficult. In order to access the bleeder you will need to jack-up the car and support it with jack stands. Then you will need to remove the intermediate exhaust pipe. Next you will need to remove the drive shaft tunnel close-out panel and this should give you access to the bleeder. Considering this procedure is fairly involved I would not recommend doing it for a general maintenance item. GM does not have any recommended maintenance time schedule for changing the fluid. I Hope this helps.:chevy:MKOTZE
Thanks Mike, that's right on. I was reading a GM manual and they said the same thing you said. " After you expose the torque tube. Face the front of the vehicle and reach your hand up around the driver's side of the torque tube until you feel the bleeder bolt. Put a 7/16" wrench on the bleeder bolt and have an assistant depress and hold the clutch pedal. Loosen the bleeder and retighten. Fluid will shoot inside the torque tube tunnel and run down your arm, as well as inside the bellhousing. Tighten the bolt and have your assistant release the clutch pedal. I found that after I bled the system, my assistant had to pull the clutch pedal off the floor. But, it operated fine after that. GM recommends doing this 7 to 10 times until you have bled any air or bad fluid from the system. Every 3 to 4 bleeds, add more fluid to the reservoir in order to prevent removing so much fluid that you draw air into the system. "

Mike, I was just wondering, can I take the fluid out of the cylinder with a turkey baster a little at a time say over a month, without actually bleeding the system and going through all that work? I don't know if you know what I mean. I have to say that this question has been asked on other forums for techs, and they didn't give such a detailed and right on answer as you did. You really know your stuff. Maybe I can bring mine in to you to do. I'll wait like you said, because I only have 12,000 miles on it. I heard from some of the guys from the Corvette clubs that you really know your Vettes. You and father larry have a great thing going here. Keep up the good work and have patience, it will grow. I'm tired of these sites that are bogged down with sponsors.

:bowdown:

[MKOTZE]

Hello TopVette, Thanks for the compliment I'm glad you enjoy the site. In regards to just removing the flid form the master cylinder reservoir it would only have a very small benefit. Doing this would only partially purge the master cylinder of old fluid. As for the clutch actuator cylinder no old fluid would be purged using this method. If you have any other questions let me know. MKOTZE :chevy: