I still plan to have the cars clutch and brake fluid flushed/bled and replaced soon (next time it gets some lift time). Until then I used the old mini-turkey baster method (got one at Walmart) to suck out the resevoirs - the brake fluid was a little dirty the clutch fluid was downright nasty. I cleaned the resevoirs our with paper towels after getting the old stuff out, then replaced with Vavoline Synthetic which has a dry boiling point nearly 200 degrees higher than the stock DOT 3 and is compatible with the old stuff. The whole operation took about 5 minutes, so I plan to so this every 3 months or so.
Les
__________________ [sold] 02 QS Z06 383 c.i.
441 RWHP 445 RWTQ, FLP Long Tubes & GHL Quads, 42# Injectors, LS1 Edit Tuning, Vararam w/T1 C. F. Bridge, Vinci 170 Stat, Ripper Shifter, Lowered and Tinted
Les, good idea. The clutch reservoirs are so small on these cars that there just isn't that much fluid in the system to dissipate the heat.
After inspecting my fluid this weekend before an autocross event, I'm planning on changing my clutch fluid more frequently too. I've got about 5600 miles and it's already starting to turn black.
I just ordered some Ate Typ 200 Brake Fluid. It seems to be about the best price/performance brake fluid out there.
__________________
Pat - Sig forcibly restrained by the Sig Police
1985 Coupe/Red with Grand Sport wheels
2002 Z06/Millennium Yellow/Black/All but PSMs
Built 8/22/01!!! Delivered 8/29/01
Excellent info. Looks like the Vavoline and ATE Blue are about the same, I like that I can pick it up at Pep Boys. Man that Castrol SRF ROCKS though. Even at the price I think I might use it - anybody else out there have a view??
Les
Quote:
Originally posted by pmontelo Les, good idea. The clutch reservoirs are so small on these cars that there just isn't that much fluid in the system to dissipate the heat.
After inspecting my fluid this weekend before an autocross event, I'm planning on changing my clutch fluid more frequently too. I've got about 5600 miles and it's already starting to turn black.
I just ordered some Ate Typ 200 Brake Fluid. It seems to be about the best price/performance brake fluid out there.
What you did is all I have done so far with the clutch fluid, it has to be better than leaving the old stuff in there. Just be sure that the paper towels aren't leaving any residue behind in the fluid containers.
However, if you're used to getting your car up on jackstands, say, for an oil change, it's EASY to bleed your brakes at the same time. Go ahead and suck some of the fluid out of the master cylinder. Get 4 pieces of clear plastic tubing about 20" long each (I forget the size, probably about 1/4").
I just connect them to the valve of each caliper, and release the valve with a 10 mm wrench. I arch the tubing up higher than the top of the caliper, and then down to an clear empty bottle (a fairly wide base will help keep it upright). You can see the brake fluid as it leaves the caliper. If there are air bubbles, you have boiled the fluid at some time, and it's good you are replacing the fluid. If there are contaminents of some sort in the fluid you can actually see them (a a handheld light in back of the clear tubing helps). Just keep an eye on the master cylinder, to make sure you don't bleed it dry and get air in the system. Add new fluid to the master cylinder as the level lowers, and let that new fluid get down to the calipers before you close up the caliper valve and remove the tubing.
My clutch fluid was dirty but you win The brakes are fairly easy, it is the clutch that I worry the most about and, of course, has the highest PITA ratio. My speed shop will get the job to flush both next time up.
I know you like the ATE 200 Blue, any thoughts on that Castrol SRF?? Other then price (big time) any down side?
Les
Quote:
Originally posted by gmblack3 Speedbleeders work great for one man brake bleeding. www.speedbleeder.com
Bleeding the clutch is a PITA, but worth it once you see how dirty it is:
Don't use the Castrol SRF in your Z06. It is very corrosive and needs frequent changing. For brakes a better fluid would be AP600 Racing Brake Fluid or the new Motul 600. Wilwood also has some new EXP Fluid.
My clutch fluid was dirty but you win The brakes are fairly easy, it is the clutch that I worry the most about and, of course, has the highest PITA ratio. My speed shop will get the job to flush both next time up.
I know you like the ATE 200 Blue, any thoughts on that Castrol SRF?? Other then price (big time) any down side?
Les
The pictured reservoir was my 01, yes it definitely was dirty...
Shifting had become difficult...
Yesterday I was at the track hanging out watching the Porsche guys, I met a guy, that is an instructor, running a MY 01 Z06 purely as a track vehicle. It had over 4000 track miles on it with no major problems.
I noticed he was running super blue and asked why. He said that he felt it was the best all around fluid. Liked the boiling points both dry and wet.
When gmblack3 and I were looking for a good replacement fluid that was pretty much why we decided to use it. I helped that gmblack3 found a place local we could buy it for $8 a liter.
Check e-bay....If you are local to Atlanta you can pick it up and save on shipping.
Yeah, I also paid around the same price per liter. It seems like a performance bargain. I went with the Ate Typ 200 instead of the Ate Super Blue (same stuff, different color) because I figured it would be easier to see when the light color fluid was becoming discolored.
Since I don't road-race my car, I didn't think I needed to step up to a better performing but more costly fluid like the Motul 600. It also absorbs water more quickly and requires more frequent changing.
Mine turns black very quickly... haven't watched it closely, but I change it monthly and it's black by then.
Though I run motul 600, a very useful feature of the ATE is when doing a full flush, get the 'other' color fluid... you'll know when the original fluid is completely out!
The 16,000 mile mark was my first fluid change, I kept an eye on it all along but right after my first track days it definitely was time to change.
Best bet just to keep an eye on it.
We are using the super blue in both brakes and clutch.
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