heavy85 Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 The clutch fluid keeps turning black. There is a black residue all over the bottom of the master. It's a new Tilton master with a braided line to the stock slave. I run synthetic dot 3/4 brake fluid. I've changed it a couple times and within a day or two it's black again. Clutch works fine I'm just concerned that there is a seal thats degrading and will fail at the wrong time. Any ideas? Thanks Cameron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1 Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Mine does the same thing. It hasn't caused a failure in several years now. I can only guess dye from the seals/orings discolors the fluid. It looks bad and bugs me somewhat, but I've flushed the fluid several times and the dark color returns. jt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColtGT4g63 Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 My fluid does the same as well. I've probably flushed it 4 - 5 times in the last 3k miles and the black color always returns within a day or two. Its got to be something in the slave cylinder causing it, because the same thing happens regardless of master cylinder choice. Still works great for me though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavy85 Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 Guess it's normal then but sure doesn't make me feel better about it. Eventually it's got to eventually run out of black crap to dye the fluid .... then what. Guess I'll run it 'till she breaks - it wouldn't be the first time I had to drive a car home without a clutch. Cameron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColtGT4g63 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 That's what I thought too, even my friends C5 ZO6 with 40k miles on it makes the clutch fluid turn black. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockerstar Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Are you guys all running rubber clutch lines in between the hard lines, or braided stainless? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aziza z Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Mine does it. Pisses me off. But no failures so idk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Careless Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Racinjitter just made a post about some lines that are unsuitable for use with various fluids, regarding stainless lines (on z31performance.com). "The only earls hose that is rated for fuel use is the speed-flex line of hoses. It has a inner liner that is coated with teflon that gas cannot permeate. This line is aslo good for use in brake systems." of course it's an Earls product that is mentioned here, but it's possibly something to consider looking into. The rubber gets unstable after being subjected to certain chemicals and it could very well be a rubber-line residue that is slowly melting away. But it would probably take years to experience the consequences of running such lines on such applications where they were not intended to be run. Sorta makes you wonder why they don't make this more of a general warning, like Cigarette Pack warnings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Mine is Russell stainless all the way. jt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 tuff z Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 i have about 11k miles on my swap now. brand new [at swap] tilton master, earls teflon braided ss hose and fluid was black within a day or 2 of getting the z on the road. repeated flushings have not eliminated the problem. looks like we are all experiencing the same issue but does not seem to be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m1noel Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Huh, mine's still clear after two years, but I'm using the stock metal GTO lines with the tilton master. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aziza z Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 hmmm maybe it is the line then. What part #s are you guys using for the lines. Lets compare. Ill look in my receipt book at home for the part #. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColtGT4g63 Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 I don't have a P/N for mine, but its an earls hose. Even guys in Vette's and Fbodies have this problem to. Its not a big deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zmanco Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 I have the same issue with the stock MC and slave cylinder (both replaced and system flushed). Why would the rubber hose have this effect on the clutch but not on the brake system? I haven't seen this discussed, but always assumed that the type of rubber used for the MC cups and hoses was the same for both brakes and clutches. This part doesn't make sense to me - what's different about the clutch system vs. the brakes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Careless Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Mine is Russell stainless all the way. jt ARE YOU SURE it's rated for brake fluid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdeezs Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 just saw this today... good explanation of why and what to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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