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Trying to bleed clutch, Gray fluid comes out !?

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Old Jun 22, 2009 | 04:59 PM
  #1  
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Trying to bleed clutch, Gray fluid comes out !?

Errr ... I dont know wtf is going on.

I have some clutch issue , at first I thought my clutch bracket broke again (its not far anyway, I fixed it)

but its not.

So I was like hey, maybe its a good time to do a brake/clutch flush !

so yeah, master cylinder, front right wheel ... clutch

Here is the problem

The fluid that comes out, its GRAYYYYYYYyyyy , not clear like the brake fluid. its GRAAAAYYY

Been thru 2 bottles already still same thing.

so now Im thinking, is there something wrong inside the slave cylinder.

Anybody had some "experience" like that before ?


Im gonna swap it back to stock old one (Im using FEED's right now) and see what happens.
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Old Jun 22, 2009 | 05:11 PM
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You are generating aluminum particles in the clutch fluid. Prolly the master cly piston is wearing into the housing or slave cly piston.
Have seen it for many years on Japanese cars.
Pull them both off and start looking for the damage.
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Old Jun 22, 2009 | 05:12 PM
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Originally Posted by nycgps
Errr ... I dont know wtf is going on.

I have some clutch issue , at first I thought my clutch bracket broke again (its not far anyway, I fixed it)

but its not.

So I was like hey, maybe its a good time to do a brake/clutch flush !

so yeah, master cylinder, front right wheel ... clutch

Here is the problem

The fluid that comes out, its GRAYYYYYYYyyyy , not clear like the brake fluid. its GRAAAAYYY

Been thru 2 bottles already still same thing.

so now Im thinking, is there something wrong inside the slave cylinder.

Anybody had some "experience" like that before ?


Im gonna swap it back to stock old one (Im using FEED's right now) and see what happens.
Hey,

well now you probably better understand what i was trying to describe after putting in your motor. I have no idea where that fluid is getting that color from. My only thoughts were possible contamination from the braided line or possible contamination from the slave. It seems like there's very very small pieces of metal in it as it does have a slight shimmer to it.

kevin.
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Old Jun 22, 2009 | 06:08 PM
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Originally Posted by teknics
Hey,

well now you probably better understand what i was trying to describe after putting in your motor. I have no idea where that fluid is getting that color from. My only thoughts were possible contamination from the braided line or possible contamination from the slave. It seems like there's very very small pieces of metal in it as it does have a slight shimmer to it.

kevin.
yeah, when you first told me you saw some "sliver" thing I was like

now I 100% understand what you mean.

At first I thought it was the line too, so I swapped it out with the new one I shown you the other day.

Still same thing.

Originally Posted by cajunrx8
You are generating aluminum particles in the clutch fluid. Prolly the master cly piston is wearing into the housing or slave cly piston.
Have seen it for many years on Japanese cars.
Pull them both off and start looking for the damage.


sometimes if I step on my clutch softly, it will not bounce back up. Its like there is no back pressure at all. It just started this week. but it got so bad yesterday, I was just 10 more blocks away from the theater, I just turn back and went home. GF bitching. meh

I think it might be the slave cylinder, since I will get "gray-ish" fluid ONLY from the slave cylinder.

Its getting too dark outside Im going to replace it back to my old stock one tomorrow and see what happens.

Last edited by nycgps; Jun 22, 2009 at 06:22 PM.
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Old Jun 22, 2009 | 06:14 PM
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Ok after reading the OP again, if the clutch pedal bracket was cracked and the push rod is at a slight angle it can push the piston into the housing and cause a one sided wear on the parts.
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Old Jun 22, 2009 | 06:17 PM
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I only see the gray fluid from slave, shouldn't that be the caused ?

Bracket is not really cracked, its just that if you know the bracket long enough, you will know something is not right on the first slight.

I will swap the slave first tomorrow morning and see what happens. wish me luck

Last edited by nycgps; Jun 22, 2009 at 06:23 PM.
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Old Jun 22, 2009 | 08:50 PM
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Sure will.
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Old Jun 22, 2009 | 09:20 PM
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how do you even take a cluch out lol
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Old Jun 23, 2009 | 03:54 PM
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To take a clutch out? drop the transmission

if you mean take the slave cylinder out, yeah, its pain in the ***, but I got it out, took me 3 hours tho.

BTW. I took the FEED's cylinder out and put the OE back in. well, the Clutch bracket works again so Its safe to say yes the FEED's cylinder was shot BUT !!!!

I still get gray fluid even after I swap the clutch and the clutch line.

Pictures or it never happened



This is what comes out AFTER I swap the old rx7.com's clutch line with a FEED's Clutch Line AND swap back to the OE Slave Cylinder. Same as before, just not as dark gray as before



Another angle.



WTF are these ?!?!?!?!

The Brake Fluid Reservoir's liquid is ALL clear. no contamination whatsoever. The Clutch line is brand new. oh yes before I reinstall the OE Slave cylinder, I push some liquid outa it, its all clear.

So What Im thinking now is, its something between the Master Cylinder and Stainless steel clutch line thats failing.

so, anybody have any idea what it could be? I dont want to keep swapping parts until "I GOT IT." its a waste of money
Attached Thumbnails Trying to bleed clutch, Gray fluid comes out !?-006.jpg   Trying to bleed clutch, Gray fluid comes out !?-007.jpg   Trying to bleed clutch, Gray fluid comes out !?-008.jpg  
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Old Jun 23, 2009 | 03:58 PM
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i've got a hunch the "new" braided line is contaminating it somehow
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Old Jun 23, 2009 | 04:06 PM
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the clutch works again like the way it should. but I have a feeling if I leave it like this, its going to eat my OE Slave cylinder alive, just like it ate my FEED's Cylinder

WHAT THE #*$#@)*$ MAN ...
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Old Jun 23, 2009 | 04:10 PM
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I swear nycgps, for a guy that does so much preventive maintenace you sure have your unfair-share of problems. You're giving '05 Shinka's a bad name!
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Old Jun 23, 2009 | 04:16 PM
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*sigh...*


what can I say ... the force is not with me ...

so ok, can SOMEBODY tell me "WTF IS GOING ON HERE !!?!@#)*#%*)$@%" ...
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Old Jun 23, 2009 | 04:16 PM
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I'm feeling that the issue is in the clutch master cyl. It feeds fluid to the slave cyl. So I might consider looking into that.
Just a thought.
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Old Jun 23, 2009 | 05:06 PM
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IF you r getting clear fluid out of the slave then it has to be somewhere in the line...
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Old Jun 23, 2009 | 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by 04RX8man
IF you r getting clear fluid out of the slave then it has to be somewhere in the line...
its somwhere between the stainless steel clutch line and Master Brake Cylinder.


Originally Posted by Easy_E1
I'm feeling that the issue is in the clutch master cyl. It feeds fluid to the slave cyl. So I might consider looking into that.
Just a thought.
I think so too.

Now Im just wondering what could be the "possible" worn out part. I do NOT want to replace the whole thing ... spent too much $$$ lately
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Old Jun 24, 2009 | 08:25 PM
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The clutch hyl line should be a teflon tube surrounded by the SS braid. pretty much bullet proof.
I suggest that you remove the complete system, flush everything with alcohol or brake cleaner, flush the *** outta the lines then inspect all parts.
Bro, that is the only way to be sure, it is a ungodly PITA but needs to be done.
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Old Jun 24, 2009 | 09:13 PM
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I think its a bad line. easy to replace.

If you change the fluid it has to come out clear after a while.

The question is... how fast does it turn grey after the fluid has been flushed.
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Old Jun 24, 2009 | 09:43 PM
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Originally Posted by cajunrx8
The clutch hyl line should be a teflon tube surrounded by the SS braid. pretty much bullet proof.
I suggest that you remove the complete system, flush everything with alcohol or brake cleaner, flush the *** outta the lines then inspect all parts.
Bro, that is the only way to be sure, it is a ungodly PITA but needs to be done.
I already ordered a new Clutch Master Cylinder. Just in case. Its not that expensive for me, thank god for that (ordered thru MMS)

Originally Posted by Razz1
I think its a bad line. easy to replace.

If you change the fluid it has to come out clear after a while.

The question is... how fast does it turn grey after the fluid has been flushed.
I flushed thru 2 quarts even after I replaced old SS clutch line with a brand new one and back to OE Slave cylinder. so it gotta come from some where BEFORE the SS clutch line. The only "suspect" is the clutch master cylinder. Since the Brake Master's reservoir is perfectly clear.

Didnt have time to check it out today, I drove to PA (3 hours something 1 way) to pick up something for my FC.

Tomorrow Im going to open the SS Clutch line and just pump my clutch to see what kind of color will it come out.

Last edited by nycgps; Jun 24, 2009 at 09:48 PM.
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Old Jun 24, 2009 | 10:07 PM
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What were the chunks in the bottom of the cup? Were they rubber?


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Old Jun 24, 2009 | 10:18 PM
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honestly, I dont know.

I still have the quart in my basement, I go feel it tomorrow morning.
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Old Jun 25, 2009 | 01:35 AM
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have you visited this tsb?

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...4-06-1641a.pdf

just wondering..

beers
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Old Jun 25, 2009 | 06:44 AM
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Nah, its not that.

it does not explain the gray fluid anyway.
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Old Jun 26, 2009 | 09:43 AM
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take the clutch hydraulic line loose at the master brake cylinder and see if you have the crud coming out there

glad to be of service, signed

Capt. Obvious
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Old Jun 26, 2009 | 11:18 AM
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^^ Yea was about to do that today.

My clutch Master is not here yet, so I parked my car at my gf's garage. and drove the FIT back home.

Will work on it probably tomorrow or monday.
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