Common questions

Can you drive with a leaking clutch?

Can you drive with a leaking clutch?

Yes, but if your clutch master cylinder is leaking, you will have to replace it before driving. However, if a major leak has occurred or the fluid level in the reservoir seems low, it’s best to get the vehicle towed for repairs.

How to check clutch hydraulics on a corvette?

The first step is to make sure that you’ve bled the hydraulic system and use GM hydraulic clutch fluid (P/M 12345347). When you’re convinced that you’ve done a good job and all the air is out of the system you need to do the following things to check the master and slave cylinder for leak down, or internal leaks.

What to do if your corvette clutch is black?

After you remove the dipstick place it on a white paper towel. The fluid should soak into the towel fairly easily. If the fluid doesn’t readily soak into the paper towel and/or is black in color it’s probably compacted with fiber material which is the first sign of clutch wear.

Where does air enter the clutch on a corvette?

If the threaded fittings of the hydraulic line between the clutch master and slave cylinder are tight there are only three places where air can enter into the slave cylinder assembly: The slave cylinder seal, the master cylinder seal or the fluid reservoir inlet. Both the master and slave cylinder assemblies are horizontally mounted.

How does the clutch work on a C4 Corvette?

The clutch pedal is attached to the clutch master cylinder and the fluid is transmitted to the slave cylinder The C4 clutch hydraulic system is both self-bleeding and non-adjustable. Cycling the clutch pedal multiple times while on a level grade before driving will displace any trapped air pockets formed within either cylinder.

The first step is to make sure that you’ve bled the hydraulic system and use GM hydraulic clutch fluid (P/M 12345347). When you’re convinced that you’ve done a good job and all the air is out of the system you need to do the following things to check the master and slave cylinder for leak down, or internal leaks.

The clutch pedal is attached to the clutch master cylinder and the fluid is transmitted to the slave cylinder The C4 clutch hydraulic system is both self-bleeding and non-adjustable. Cycling the clutch pedal multiple times while on a level grade before driving will displace any trapped air pockets formed within either cylinder.

If the threaded fittings of the hydraulic line between the clutch master and slave cylinder are tight there are only three places where air can enter into the slave cylinder assembly: The slave cylinder seal, the master cylinder seal or the fluid reservoir inlet. Both the master and slave cylinder assemblies are horizontally mounted.

After you remove the dipstick place it on a white paper towel. The fluid should soak into the towel fairly easily. If the fluid doesn’t readily soak into the paper towel and/or is black in color it’s probably compacted with fiber material which is the first sign of clutch wear.

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Ruth Doyle