Cloudy clutch fluid (separate reservoir)

[Destructo09]

So over the weekend I installed the separate clutch fluid reservoir and used Motul RBF600 fluid.

I've been kinda checking it to see if I need to swap the fluid, i'm doing this instead of bleeding the clutch system.

I had noticed it darkened a bit earlier in the week but I checked it after getting home today and it looks cloudy.

It seems like this might be a sign of moisture getting in the system somewhere. Just not sure if it's getting in at the slave cylinder or at the reservoir?

Anybody else run into this situation? Maybe I just didn't tighten down the cap enough on the reservoir or something.

[Steve@SNL/Monster Clutch]

Moisture and clutch dust, this is a common occurrence and why I recommend a remote bleeder when installing a new/upgraded clutch. Bleeding the clutch every other oil change, at a minimum, is what we recommend. Much more often with aggressive driving.

[wakespeak]

I sucked out from the reservoir about 20 times and it is staying fairly clear now. There is break in dust that takes a while to clear out and the stock fluid is not up to it either.

[BigBlock69RS]

What harm is there in the fluid being cloudy?

[Steve@SNL/Monster Clutch]

Originally Posted by wakespeak

I sucked out from the reservoir about 20 times and it is staying fairly clear now. There is break in dust that takes a while to clear out and the stock fluid is not up to it either.

DOT4 Non Synthetic, pick your poison on brand, look for the highest boiling point you can and stick with it.

Originally Posted by BigBlock69RS

What harm is there in the fluid being cloudy?

Contaminants can cause many things, breaking down seals in the slave/hydraulic system and causing release issues being the two main ones.

[xtreme2s]

Originally Posted by Steve@SNL/Monster Clutch

Moisture and clutch dust, this is a common occurrence and why I recommend a remote bleeder when installing a new/upgraded clutch. Bleeding the clutch every other oil change, at a minimum, is what we recommend. Much more often with aggressive driving.

I've been watching the various threads on this issue. My M6, the 1-2 shift (when trans is cold) has the subtle grind, and slight on the 2-3 shift.

The remote res kit, and some big brake package is in my future considering everything else I've done....

So my question .... how does "dust" get into a sealed system? The moisture I understand.

I'm not a aggressive driver on the street, so just deal with it. But have ripped some fun on a auto-x, which stays in 2nd anyway, but this year for extra fun will do some jamming gears on the strip.

[Destructo09]

Originally Posted by xtreme2s

I've been watching the various threads on this issue. My M6, the 1-2 shift (when trans is cold) has the subtle grind, and slight on the 2-3 shift.

The remote res kit, and some big brake package is in my future considering everything else I've done....

So my question .... how does "dust" get into a sealed system? The moisture I understand.

I'm not a aggressive driver on the street, so just deal with it. But have ripped some fun on a auto-x, which stays in 2nd anyway, but this year for extra fun will do some jamming gears on the strip.

I think it most often happens during high rpm shifts when there's lots of clutch dust flying around the bell housing.

Seals can't keep everything out and clutch dust is very fine so some of it makes it past the seals on the slave cylinder. I believe the slave cylinder slides along the input shaft of the transmission so i'm sure clutch dust can stick to the shaft and then the seal rides over it.

I've noticed some improvement in the smoothness of my shifts after switching to Royal Purple Synchromax.

I don't think changing to the separate clutch reservoir actually helped any shifting but it will keep my brake fluid from getting filthy.

[xtreme2s]

Originally Posted by Destructo09

I think it most often happens during high rpm shifts when there's lots of clutch dust flying around the bell housing.

Seals can't keep everything out and clutch dust is very fine so some of it makes it past the seals on the slave cylinder. I believe the slave cylinder slides along the input shaft of the transmission so i'm sure clutch dust can stick to the shaft and then the seal rides over it.

I've noticed some improvement in the smoothness of my shifts after switching to Royal Purple Synchromax.

I don't think changing to the separate clutch reservoir actually helped any shifting but it will keep my brake fluid from getting filthy.

Aaah, never thought the dust from clutch into the seal would penetrate. Makes sense, and anything possible. I have aftermarket RAM in mine now. But will look into change of upgraded fluid in the tranny.

Thanks!

[Steve@SNL/Monster Clutch]

Very close, but, the slave cylinders seal slides up and down a shaft made into the slave itself. The dust gets behind the boot (fine particles as Destructo09 said) and sticks to the shaft, when the seals slides past it the dust is swept under the seal and contaminates the fluid.

I highly, highly recommend a remote reservoir for the hydraulic system on these!