Contaminated Clutch Fluid

[Dribblers Dad]

Just doing a spot of servicing on me bike and I have noticed that the clutch fluid is very dirty? Looks contaminated with something making it very dark.

The level in the master cylinder is ok and has not dropped and the clutch itself works fine and feels normal. What gives?

Cheers DD

 

[Colban]

Possibly seals breaking up and contaminating the fluid.
How often has the fluid been changed?.

 

[Dribblers Dad]

First off, sorry I should have said that it is a 2001 1150 and I have owned the bike for the last 18 months and this is the first time I`ve had the master cylinder cover off. I think there is a good chance that this is the original fluid.

If any seals were breaking down wouldn`t the fluid level be dropping?

Cheers DD

 

[ELIMINATOR]

Had this on my old Eliminator, but it was mostly dark at the bottom of the reservoir. Changed it, never leaked, possibly an age thing?

 

[Dribblers Dad]

"Had this on my old Eliminator, but it was mostly dark at the bottom of the reservoir. Changed it, never leaked, possibly an age thing?"

Possibly so, like I say the clutch feels fine so I guess I`ll just flush the fluid and keep an eye on it.

Cheers DD

 

[ELIMINATOR]

so I guess I`ll just flush the fluid and keep an eye on it.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122479&highlight=clutch

As for the leaking ball bearing, I wound PTFE tape around the M10 blanking plug, that stopped the leak.

 

[rudiemoto]

Just doing a spot of servicing on me bike and I have noticed that the clutch fluid is very dirty? Looks contaminated with something making it very dark.

The level in the master cylinder is ok and has not dropped and the clutch itself works fine and feels normal. What gives?

Cheers DD

its the brake fliud boiling up over time it turns black my duc does it and my millie did it every other day
racers up dot 5.1
i changed fluid every 6mths or 3000miles at £2.55 its worth it
hope this help

 

[Voyager]

I'm suffering clutch hydraulic problems at the moment .

Its a 2004 1150GSA that I have had since July Its got 17,000 miles on it - 11,000 since July !

The clutch fluid was black when I flushed it through and the slave cylinder appears to be letting air in so is about to be changed.

The engine got hot 'off-roading' in Morocco in October so that might have had something do do with it (still two bars below the red line, though).

When I talked to our local BMW Dealer about bleeding the system I was told that the fluid would be very dark - so it seems as though this is 'normal' (they all do that Sir !).

It would seem that dark fluid is not necessarily a harbinger of impending failure and my problems may be just co-incidence.

I'll keep an eye on it once the bike is fixed to see if the fluid goes dark naturally.

Bob.

 

[Dribblers Dad]

As always, thanks for the help and replies, there appreciated.

Flush and Watch it is then!

Cheers DD

 

[ELIMINATOR]

When I talked to our local BMW Dealer about bleeding the system I was told that the fluid would be very dark - so it seems as though this is 'normal' (they all do that Sir !).

Mine was clean.

 

[ELIMINATOR]

When I talked to our local BMW Dealer about bleeding the system I was told that the fluid would be very dark - so it seems as though this is 'normal' (they all do that Sir !).

Mine was clean. 34,000 miles, 2003

 

[Steptoe]

Dark fluid isn't usually a sign of any problems ahead.

But if it's a grey colour thats another story.

As that great philosopher of life "Nat King Cole" once said, "There Maybe Trouble Ahead"

 

[Dribblers Dad]

Dark fluid isn't usually a sign of any problems ahead.

But if it's a grey colour thats another story.

No not so much of a grey colour as just a murky dark brown, something like oh you know, used original 6 year old clutch fluid...........................

Go on then whats the grey significance?

Cheers DD

Must really think of something clever to put here.

 

[Steptoe]

[

Go on then whats the grey significance?

.

Re-read the post = there maybe trouble ahead = It's going to fail in the not to distant future.

Is that simple enough for you.