Clutch fluid keeps turning dark

[JimDavis MT 97GTS 650R]

I try and keep fresh fluids on board all season. I have noticed that even after repeated flushing and a clean refill, the fluid in my clutch reservoir turns dark in as little as 2 or 3 hundred miles of moderate driving. Because I am not running the car on the track, I have been using the recommended stock fluid in place of the more expensive stuff. Any ideas what's going on, and is this normal? (Thanks in advance) JD

 

[Steve-Indy]

Have you tried a new cap ?

 

[GTS Bruce]

Moisture or heat.Probably moisture. Bruce

 

[JimDavis MT 97GTS 650R]

Let me clarify the problem: the fluid turns a very murky brown in color. Now I might expect this if I were using the clutch hard, but this is just normal day to day use and in a very short time frame as well. It was suggested that the seals may be deteriorating. The cap seems to fit fine.

 

[RockyTop]

Dan, you da man ! This has been observed by many at Viper Days and I know I had a similar experience with flush, refill and prompt discoloration.

 

[Janni]

Are you guys actually BLEEDING the clutch system or just refilling the reservoir? There's usually some pretty nasty stuff contained in the line that I think recirculates if you don't do a bleed. Bleed screw not particularly easy to get to, so it can be done - helps to have a little pointy tip on the Mi-T-Vac, as well. Ours get bled and usually can last a season without any discoloration. Alls we get is a little dark sediment on the bottom of the clutch reservoir.

 

[slaughterj]

How many miles should one get with clutch fluid on street driving?

 

[JimDavis MT 97GTS 650R]

Hi Janni. I have been doing a complete bleed of the clutch hydraulic system. Sometimes it takes as much as 3 complete flushes to clear the system. PS: Thanks Dan and everyone for your input. (JD)

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

As long as it's clean for tech, that good enough for me.

 

[Steve-Indy]

I had ASSUMED that the rubber boot came WITH a new cap...MY error!! Either way, they DO GET NASTY...not unlike an OLD rubber flapper valve on a toilet.

 

[JimDavis MT 97GTS 650R]

Well, I made the trip to my friendly Dodge Dealer today, to see if I could buy a new "boot" for my clutch reservoir. After looking at the parts list, it seems to indicate that the clutch reservoir parts are sold only as a complete unit ie: ( reservoir & cap, slave & master cylinder with lines ). You can't even buy the stinken cap separate. WOW! Over $300. Any suggestions on where to just get a new boot to stop the deterioration and discoloration of the fluid?

 

[Ulysses]

You have found out what some of us have unfortunately already run into. You have to buy the whole actuator. Where does one get just a cap and rubber boot? I dunno. Let me know if you find out.