Seperate Clutch Fluid Reservoir - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Fifty 2SS · 04-22-2013, 01:39 PM

This is what my brake fluid looked like after 25,000 miles.
Pretty dark and that is after I filled the reservoir up with new fluid and sucked it back out.

Thanks to Gen5diy.com I will not have to worry about the clutch material contaminating the brake fluid anymore

.
The kit came with all the parts for the install. So I got to work and did not have to chase anything down for the install. It was a pretty easy install, well except for drilling the holes. That was a PITA.
I know some do not believe it is needed however if you have ever had to pay for ABS work it is not cheap.

I added a pic of the brake fluid and the new reservoir.

strych9 · 04-22-2013, 01:53 PM

I once posed a question in a similar thread long ago, to which nobody really answered: Since the slave cylinder is a sealed unit, exactly how does clutch material get into it?

My personal opinion is that the fluid discolors solely due to heat, not contamination as some seem to think. Anyone?

Fifty 2SS · 04-22-2013, 02:19 PM

That may very well be true. I would think seperating the two would be also good for that very reseon also. The clutch fluid is probably going to be a lot hotter. Which I believe would also not be good for the brake system.
I looked at the fluid very closely when I got it out. I could see fine particals of dirt or could be clutch material I am not sure.
It is probably not neccessary to do this mod however it is peace of mind.
I have had issues out of cars before when the brake fluid got a little to hot. A spongy peddle is not a good feeling when you need to stop.

caverman · 04-22-2013, 03:23 PM

OP....which kit did you use?

RollaMo · 04-22-2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strych9

I once posed a question in a similar thread long ago, to which nobody really answered: Since the slave cylinder is a sealed unit, exactly how does clutch material get into it?

My personal opinion is that the fluid discolors solely due to heat, not contamination as some seem to think. Anyone?

I have to agree with this, even though I have no clutch in my L99.

I do have a hydraulic clutch in the Corvette.
There is just no way the fluid ever comes into contact with any clutch material.
It is a completely sealed system.

So, the "dark" color is being cause by something else.

zackex · 04-22-2013, 03:42 PM

That looks like scorched brake fluid to me. Has any one driven the car really hard and abused the brake system.

cornerspeed92 · 04-22-2013, 03:44 PM

That looks terrible,i put the separate reservoir on my 1LE i got it from JDP here on C5. I change the fluid after every tank.

strych9 · 04-22-2013, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D Nasty

That may very well be true. I would think seperating the two would be also good for that very reseon also. The clutch fluid is probably going to be a lot hotter. Which I believe would also not be good for the brake system.
I looked at the fluid very closely when I got it out. I could see fine particals of dirt or could be clutch material I am not sure.
It is probably not neccessary to do this mod however it is peace of mind.
I have had issues out of cars before when the brake fluid got a little to hot. A spongy peddle is not a good feeling when you need to stop.

Agreed 100%.

zackex · 04-22-2013, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strych9

Agreed 100%.

Disagree the brake system is the hottest point by far.

Briand069 · 04-22-2013, 03:58 PM

It is clutch dust getting in there. This explains it somewhat.

http://www.rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html

Also, since I seperated my brake and clutch only the clutch fluid is getting dirty, not the brake.

Bodih · 04-22-2013, 04:17 PM

Brake fluid will naturally turn dark from exposure to heat, and even when exposed to air over time. Particulates in the fluid could indicate something within the system breaking down, or natural break-in of the components since new. I would recommend flushing the system, then checking it over time for more particules.
I do agree that heat transfer could be a bigger issue for the common reservoir system. I would think boiled fluid in the brakes from repeated track runs has to effect clutch performance.
I just bought the clutch reservoir from Ofer, but haven't installed it yet. Its one of those mods I feel should have already been on the car. (like ambient dash lighting, heater hose relocation, frameless mirror, oil catch can, skip shift eliminater...)

Hellfighter · 04-22-2013, 04:23 PM

Interesting, what kid is this by chance?

Bodih · 04-22-2013, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellfighter

Interesting, what kid is this by chance?

http://www.gen5diy.com/moar_powa/clutch

RiCorvette · 04-22-2013, 04:30 PM

One of my first mods.
At 1500 miles, my Clutch fluid is already leaning towards the color of Dark Honey, the fluid in the brake reservoir still looks like Apple Juice (or Lager, if you prefer).

Mine is a daily driver; generally less than 20 miles a day and I don't race or track.

04-22-2013, 01:39 PM	#1
Fifty 2SS Drives: 2017 Fifty 2SS w NPP Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Old Hickory, Tennessee Posts: 160	Seperate Clutch Fluid Reservoir This is what my brake fluid looked like after 25,000 miles. Pretty dark and that is after I filled the reservoir up with new fluid and sucked it back out. Thanks to Gen5diy.com I will not have to worry about the clutch material contaminating the brake fluid anymore. The kit came with all the parts for the install. So I got to work and did not have to chase anything down for the install. It was a pretty easy install, well except for drilling the holes. That was a PITA. I know some do not believe it is needed however if you have ever had to pay for ABS work it is not cheap. I added a pic of the brake fluid and the new reservoir. Attached Images

04-22-2013, 01:53 PM	#2
strych9 I'll be back... Drives: Subaru, HD Road Glide Special Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 3,036 View My Garage	I once posed a question in a similar thread long ago, to which nobody really answered: Since the slave cylinder is a sealed unit, exactly how does clutch material get into it? My personal opinion is that the fluid discolors solely due to heat, not contamination as some seem to think. Anyone? __________________ Bye bye, Bumblebee! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Build Journal My Garage GoPro Mic Hack

04-22-2013, 03:23 PM	#4
caverman Drives: '69 SS Convertible Join Date: May 2009 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 7,111	OP....which kit did you use? __________________ *-2010 Camaro* 2SS \| M6 \| VR w/White Stripes \| 1 3/4" KOOKS - 3" Magnaflow \| LPE 3.91 gears \| ADM tuned \| Halltech w/ADM Scoop \| Spohn/BMR Trailing Arm/Toe Rod \| BC Coilovers\| Pedders FE4 ZL1 swaybars \| Cradle/Diff/Radius Rod bushings \| VMax TB \| Morimoto Projectors \| MGW shifter \| Red Calipers Build Journal

04-22-2013, 03:42 PM	#6
zackex Drives: 45th Camaro SS Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: boston Posts: 74 View My Garage	That looks like scorched brake fluid to me. Has any one driven the car really hard and abused the brake system. __________________ Audente Fortuna Iuvat

04-22-2013, 03:58 PM	#10
Briand069 Drives: 1997/1969 Camaro's Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Vacaville, Ca Posts: 98	It is clutch dust getting in there. This explains it somewhat. http://www.rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html Also, since I seperated my brake and clutch only the clutch fluid is getting dirty, not the brake. __________________ 1969 Camaro LT1 4L60E 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS 6spd

04-22-2013, 02:19 PM	#3
Fifty 2SS Drives: 2017 Fifty 2SS w NPP Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Old Hickory, Tennessee Posts: 160	That may very well be true. I would think seperating the two would be also good for that very reseon also. The clutch fluid is probably going to be a lot hotter. Which I believe would also not be good for the brake system. I looked at the fluid very closely when I got it out. I could see fine particals of dirt or could be clutch material I am not sure. It is probably not neccessary to do this mod however it is peace of mind. I have had issues out of cars before when the brake fluid got a little to hot. A spongy peddle is not a good feeling when you need to stop.

04-22-2013, 03:44 PM	#7
cornerspeed92 Drives: 2013 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,188 View My Garage	That looks terrible,i put the separate reservoir on my 1LE i got it from JDP here on C5. I change the fluid after every tank.

04-22-2013, 04:17 PM	#11
Bodih I Got My Orange Crush Drives: it like I stoles it... Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,079	Brake fluid will naturally turn dark from exposure to heat, and even when exposed to air over time. Particulates in the fluid could indicate something within the system breaking down, or natural break-in of the components since new. I would recommend flushing the system, then checking it over time for more particules. I do agree that heat transfer could be a bigger issue for the common reservoir system. I would think boiled fluid in the brakes from repeated track runs has to effect clutch performance. I just bought the clutch reservoir from Ofer, but haven't installed it yet. Its one of those mods I feel should have already been on the car. (like ambient dash lighting, heater hose relocation, frameless mirror, oil catch can, skip shift eliminater...) __________________ My love is in league with the freeway. Its passion will ride, as the cities fly by, and the tail-lights dissolve in the coming of night. And the questions in thousands take flight ~Robert Plant - Big Log~

04-22-2013, 04:23 PM	#12
Hellfighter Drives: 2013 Black ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Sugar Land/Texas Posts: 2,354 View My Garage	Interesting, what kid is this by chance? __________________

04-22-2013, 04:30 PM	#14
RiCorvette Drives: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport 3LT Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Center of the known Universe Posts: 863	One of my first mods. At 1500 miles, my Clutch fluid is already leaning towards the color of Dark Honey, the fluid in the brake reservoir still looks like Apple Juice (or Lager, if you prefer). Mine is a daily driver; generally less than 20 miles a day and I don't race or track.