Cavalier Clutch fluid

[Evil Baby]

So my cars clutch fluid leaks but it's within the transmission so there's no point in fixing it until the transmission goes. Guess I'll just have to keep re-filling it. My manual didn't specify if I needed a certain type of hydrolic fluid but hopefully Crappy Tire will sell me the correct stuff.

Question is, do I just poor it in like washer fluid or engine oil? Or is there something special I have to do?

[Evil Baby]

Try this another time.

[astroboi]

I think most cars use brake fluid in their clutches. Just make sure you don't buy DOT 5. And yes, you simply pour it into the reservoir.

[Pipes]

If you wait until it destroys your transmission, you're going to end up with a LOT bigger bill :confused: Also you might want to get CAA so the tow is cheaper when you forget to refill the resevoir and you cant shift gears to drive the car.

btw, the owners manual will tell you the specs of all the fluids your car uses, as the previous poster mentioned, hydraulic clutches use brake fluid. It's fairly corrosive stuff, so be careful with it. good luck.

[Evil Baby]

Thanks for the replies.


How will the bill be more expensive? Assuming that I'd have to replace the transmission anywho wouldn't the part in question be replaced as well?

[Pete_Coach]

You have a 4 or 5 speed standard transmission and it has a hydraulically operated clutch. The fluid in the clutch master cylinder assist you in applying pressure to the plates between the engine and transmission, this in turn allows the engine power to be transmitted to the wheels.
You cannot wait till the transmission fails because your clutch will fail first, or rather, you will lose all the fluid and will not be able to change gears. If this happens at an inopportune time while driving, it is extremely dangerous.
Where is the fluid leaking from? A cracked line? A loose fitting? Is there fluid on the ground or is it leaking into the transmission area?
All this to say, it will cost you a ton more money if you wait. It is either lines, master cylinder or the slave cylinder that needs replacement. Later it could also be clutch, pressure plates, throw out bearings or worse, the gears in the transmission themselves.

[Evil Baby]

You have a 4 or 5 speed standard transmission and it has a hydraulically operated clutch. The fluid in the clutch master cylinder assist you in applying pressure to the plates between the engine and transmission, this in turn allows the engine power to be transmitted to the wheels.
You cannot wait till the transmission fails because your clutch will fail first, or rather, you will lose all the fluid and will not be able to change gears. If this happens at an inopportune time while driving, it is extremely dangerous.
Where is the fluid leaking from? A cracked line? A loose fitting? Is there fluid on the ground or is it leaking into the transmission area?
All this to say, it will cost you a ton more money if you wait. It is either lines, master cylinder or the slave cylinder that needs replacement. Later it could also be clutch, pressure plates, throw out bearings or worse, the gears in the transmission themselves.


Thanks for the informatin. It's within the transmission, but not sur which plate. Nothing leaks onto the ground and last time I got my oil changed and clutch fluid re-filled I had the mechanic take a look. He couldn't find any leaks along the lines and told me it was within the Transmission.

[Pete_Coach]

Thanks for the informatin. It's within the transmission, but not sur which plate. Nothing leaks onto the ground and last time I got my oil changed and clutch fluid re-filled I had the mechanic take a look. He couldn't find any leaks along the lines and told me it was within the Transmission.
There is a master cylinder, (it is on the firewall in the engine compartment) and it is directly coupled to your clutch pedal. These can fail internally and you have fluid bypass within the cylinder (probably your problem).
There is a slave cylinder at the transmission that transmits the clutch pedal movement to the clutch assembly. If it was failing there you would most likely have fluid on the ground. If the failure is in the inside of the slave cylinder you would still have fluid on the ground. Also, there would be a very good chance you would get fluid on the clutch plates and the clutch would slip like crazy.
In no way would the fluid get into your transmission.
Have a look at this page. Scroll down a bit until you get to the hydraulic linkage. That is similar to what you have. http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/clutches_etc.htm

[Pipes]

Try taking your car into Mr Transmission, they specialise in this kind of thing. I've had good dealings with them (specificaly yonge and 16th location) and ive spoken to other people that have as well. I just cant believe a mechanic would tell you to drive it until the trasmission dies.

Like Pete said, a new master/slave cylinder is going to be a cheap fix compared to a new clutch, a problem with the transmission itself, or worse case scenario, you have a problem on the road that leads to something bad.

[Alvito]

yo wtf, my tranny is leaking fluid also! I smell a conspiracy.

[Evil Baby]

yo wtf, my tranny is leaking fluid also! I smell a conspiracy.

or cheap cars doing what cheap cars do.

However your car is probably just leaking fluid because it's pink errr purple or whichever fruity colour it is. It's trying to kill itself.


hahaha, ah burn!