clutch master cylinder

[stogey]

have an 05 six spd manual. twice now i've cleaned fluid off the outside of the clutch master cylinder. it appears to be coming out the vented cap to the mas. cyl. any thoughts or suggestions? stogey

[hdflstf]

That seems to be failrly "normal". That is not meant to imply it is also right.

I've been thinking about what is happening with the clutch fliud in general and I have a theory that is supported be all of the anecdotal evidence.

First, most of the effects are more pronounced in the heat and during a longer drive. This is due to the close proximity of the clutch fluid line to the exhaust as well as the high ambient temps under the hood.
This seems to cause several things to occur.
1 - fluid turns dark/black - thermal breakdown of the fluid, in other words it gets too hot.
2 - fluid expands due to heat, causes a small amount of fluid to escape out of the top of the MC vented cover.
3 - fluid reaches the boiling point, the displaces a larger amount of fluid and pushed the 'excess' out the top of the MC cap.
I think #3 can be shown to happen in that after some period of time the clutch MC will appear low with no apparent leakage. Also, the fluid turns dark which is an indicator of overheating. Furthermore, the clutch can stop functioning when hot which indicates an air bubble (boiling fluid) in the system. Finally, after one of these type events, the clutch will feel funny or not work on the first cycle the next day which could be caused by a remaining bubble which is purged from the system on the first cycle of the pedal.

All that said, I need to go figure out the proper fix and go test it on my SSR for awhile.

Anyone have some surface mounted TCs and a data logger I can use for awhile???

[ssr71]

During long drives, the first time I disengage the clutch the pedal is very heavy. After that, it works just fine again. Like everyone else, my cap is leaking and the fluid is getting dark.

[bmanke]

I have come up with an excellent solution to fixing the seepage from the clutch master cylinder cap. After about a week of driving, I too would have visible fluid around the cap. After brainstorming a bit, I couldn't help but notice that the cap looks like it's the same size as the one on my Pontiac Fiero. It is! Back in the old days GM use to put a very nice rubber boot in the cap just like the brake master cylinder has. I got a used cap from a salvage yard, pulled out the rubber boot from the Fiero cap, pulled out the POS rubber seal from the SSR cap and installed the Fiero boot in the SSR cap. It's been a month now and no more leaks. I am sure many other GM vehicles used this exact same cap so it should be a relatively easy part to find. Unfortunately my fluid still turns black too after a month..........

[hdflstf]

Originally Posted by bmanke

I have come up with an excellent solution to fixing the seepage from the clutch master cylinder cap. After about a week of driving, I too would have visible fluid around the cap. After brainstorming a bit, I couldn't help but notice that the cap looks like it's the same size as the one on my Pontiac Fiero. It is! Back in the old days GM use to put a very nice rubber boot in the cap just like the brake master cylinder has. I got a used cap from a salvage yard, pulled out the rubber boot from the Fiero cap, pulled out the POS rubber seal from the SSR cap and installed the Fiero boot in the SSR cap. It's been a month now and no more leaks. I am sure many other GM vehicles used this exact same cap so it should be a relatively easy part to find. Unfortunately my fluid still turns black too after a month..........

Nice!

[XSELER8]

Fluid coming out of mine also

[Flassh]

Just came back from the Chevy dealer. They have a new 07 Z06 on the floor. I pulled off the clutch reservoir cap - it is very similar to the SSR's vented cap, appears to be the same size, EXCEPT it has the rubber bellows on it instead of the rubber washer, so is not open to the air.

Seems like it would be a brilliant solution, would it not???? I'm guessing $50 for the cap.

NOT

You cannot buy a clutch reservoir cap for a Corvette or an SSR without buying the reservoir, master cylinder and hose assembly.

Any ideas, other than trying to find a crashed Fiero????

[bmanke]

I was quite surprised to see that the Fiero cap was the same size as the SSR. That would lead me to believe that A LOT of other GM vehicles used the same setup. I would be willing to bet if you visited a friendly salvage yard you would be able to find a cap with the boot from some other GM vehicle.

[XSELER8]

Originally Posted by Flassh

You cannot buy a clutch reservoir cap for a Corvette or an SSR without buying the reservoir, master cylinder and hose assembly.

Any ideas, other than trying to find a crashed Fiero????

Att: Frank Belk or Mike Byers. HELP!

[SSR6SPD]

Originally Posted by bmanke

I have come up with an excellent solution to fixing the seepage from the clutch master cylinder cap. After about a week of driving, I too would have visible fluid around the cap. After brainstorming a bit, I couldn't help but notice that the cap looks like it's the same size as the one on my Pontiac Fiero. It is! Back in the old days GM use to put a very nice rubber boot in the cap just like the brake master cylinder has. I got a used cap from a salvage yard, pulled out the rubber boot from the Fiero cap, pulled out the POS rubber seal from the SSR cap and installed the Fiero boot in the SSR cap. It's been a month now and no more leaks. I am sure many other GM vehicles used this exact same cap so it should be a relatively easy part to find. Unfortunately my fluid still turns black too after a month..........

WHAT YEAR FIERO,PLEASE.....THANKS AGAIN....

[bmanke]

Mine is a 1987, but all the Fiero's had the same master cylinder.

[SSR6SPD]

Originally Posted by bmanke

Mine is a 1987, but all the Fiero's had the same master cylinder.

ARE 4 CYLINDER AND 6 CYLINDER THE SAME MASTER CYLINDER ALSO?I THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP

[SSR6SPD]

Originally Posted by bmanke

I have come up with an excellent solution to fixing the seepage from the clutch master cylinder cap. After about a week of driving, I too would have visible fluid around the cap. After brainstorming a bit, I couldn't help but notice that the cap looks like it's the same size as the one on my Pontiac Fiero. It is! Back in the old days GM use to put a very nice rubber boot in the cap just like the brake master cylinder has. I got a used cap from a salvage yard, pulled out the rubber boot from the Fiero cap, pulled out the POS rubber seal from the SSR cap and installed the Fiero boot in the SSR cap. It's been a month now and no more leaks. I am sure many other GM vehicles used this exact same cap so it should be a relatively easy part to find. Unfortunately my fluid still turns black too after a month..........

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP I HAD THE BLACK FLUID IN MY CLUTCH RESEVOIR FLUSHED IT OUT AND PUT IN WILWOOD EXP 600 PLUS BRAKE FLUID AND A FIERO CLUTCH CAP AND HAVEN'T HAD ANY CLUTCH ISSUES,I WILL BE REPLACING MY BRAKE MASTER TO A CHROME ONE AND WILL BE USING THE WILWOOD FLUID IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM AS WELL THANK YOU

[hdflstf]

Originally Posted by dorrell ann

BOY, I WISH I COULD THINK OF SOMETHING TO HELP ! I'M GLAD I PAID CASH FOR MY AUTOMATIC , AN NOT FINANCED A 6 SPEED, ONLY TO HAVE CLUTCH PROBLEMS. # 6363 6/5/07

For me, I don't have the problems that you seem to think are universal. As for automatics, you couldn't pay me to drive one. So in the big scheme of things, we are but happy about our respective decisions.

[SSR6SPD]

Originally Posted by hdflstf

For me, I don't have the problems that you seem to think are universal. As for automatics, you chouldn't pay me to drive one. So in the big scheme of things, we are but happy about our respective decisions.

[hdflstf]

Originally Posted by dorrell ann

I DRIVE MY AUTOMATIC SSR LIKE I STOLE IT EVERY DAY I DRIVE IT WITH NO PROBLEMS WITH CLUTCHES.. I'M GOING TO ASK MY FRIEND AT LUCKY'S GARAGE WHAT HE THINKS IS WRONG WITH THE CLUTCH IN YOUR SSR.

The only thing wrong with my clutch is I don't drive it enough, only 25k miles in a little over 2 years.. I drive mine like I stole it too. Just ask those that have seen me. I can light the tires from a stop, run it to redline, bang the next gear, run it to redline, bang the next gear, stop, do it all over again.
To use some of my Florida vocabulary --- I'm fixin' to have some time to look at mine to see what I can come up with for the others that are having issues.

[XSELER8]

6 speed and it's issues for me. I do not know how to drive an Auto. 6 Speed or Hush Puppies...or possible Clarks.

[XSELER8]

Originally Posted by dorrell ann

I"M GLAD YOU BOUGHT A 6 SPEED BECAUSE YOU ARE JUST THE MAN " ROCKET MAN" TOO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH THE FANATIC'S HELP! GOD, I LOVE TO READ YOUR THREADS. YOUR REALLY AMAZING ROCKET MAN . .

Rocket Man will resolve. Rocket Man is My Man. Rocket man for President. Put a Rocket in your Pocket. Rocket Man Rocks. Have a Rock RM

[hdflstf]

Originally Posted by XSELER8

Rocket Man will resolve. Rocket Man is My Man. Rocket man for President. Put a Rocket in your Pocket. Rocket Man Rocks. Have a Rock RM

[XSELER8]

Originally Posted by hdflstf

back to ya