Clutch Fluid Reservoir

Clutch Fluid Reservoir

Author
Discussion

LeeHabbers

Original Poster:

117 posts

73 months

Sunday 18th August 2019
quotequote all
Good afternoon.

Does anyone know if the Vauxhall Corsa D (2011) clutch reservoir is shared with the brakes? My clutch peddle seems lighter than normal, everything else seems OK though so thought maybe a leak with the clutch master cylinder or something and need to see if the fluid level is dropping.

Thanks

E-bmw

9,106 posts

151 months

Sunday 18th August 2019
quotequote all
Pretty sure most every car in the western world is these days, a very quick check under the bonnet will tell you if there is only 1 fill point.

LeeHabbers

Original Poster:

117 posts

73 months

Sunday 18th August 2019
quotequote all
Good good. Wasn't sure as I've seen some cars with the reservoir on the clutch master cylinder, which I can't see mine without taking out the battery etc.

Thanks.

stevieturbo

17,229 posts

246 months

Sunday 18th August 2019
quotequote all
I would highly doubt you need to remove the battery to inspect the brake/clutch reservoir.

Even more so as they're on opposite sides of the vehicle.

LeeHabbers

Original Poster:

117 posts

73 months

Sunday 18th August 2019
quotequote all
Seems like it's back to normal for the time being. I stalled the car then the clutch got stiff when I started the car back up, then it went back to how it used to be after a few seconds. Weird. I'll keep an eye on it.

Thanks.

Sardonicus

18,928 posts

220 months

Monday 19th August 2019
quotequote all
So have you actually checked the res level? confused or are you going to trust a lamp to tell you that you may be leaking fluid scratchchin because if its not a clutch fluid leak but a brake system leak you have the possibility that the brakes will be compromised at some point frown this however wont happen with a clutch fluid leak because it only has permission to a small portion of fluid in the res not the lower two 3rd's for example wink my advice is check the level NOW

LeeHabbers

Original Poster:

117 posts

73 months

Monday 19th August 2019
quotequote all
Sardonicus said:
So have you actually checked the res level? confused or are you going to trust a lamp to tell you that you may be leaking fluid scratchchin because if its not a clutch fluid leak but a brake system leak you have the possibility that the brakes will be compromised at some point frown this however wont happen with a clutch fluid leak because it only has permission to a small portion of fluid in the res not the lower two 3rd's for example wink my advice is check the level NOW
I checked the brake reservoir straight away and it's fine, but wasn't sure if the clutch had its own one. I don't have a lamp that says I'm leaking fluid and never said it did. Just my clutch peddle was alot lighter than normal but it's somehow sorted itself out now.
Will an internal brake master cylinder leak have any affect on the clutch?

GreenV8S

30,150 posts

283 months

Monday 19th August 2019
quotequote all
LeeHabbers said:
Will an internal brake master cylinder leak have any affect on the clutch?
No.

Coilspring

577 posts

62 months

Monday 19th August 2019
quotequote all
Has the biting point of the clutch changed ?

Check fluid level regularly for the next few days/weeks. Very important to find out why if any fluid is being used.

It is an unusual symptom that has been described. It was either partially in your mind, or a pre cursor to something else happenening. Could it have been air in the system? But thats unlikely to cure itself.

Likely to be either a leak, or a clutch fault sooner or later if it wasn't all in your mind.

Clutch and/or pedal will fail before your brakes do as the clutch only has a limited supply of fluid. But that doesn't mean the fault could not be on the braking system.

Sardonicus

18,928 posts

220 months

Monday 19th August 2019
quotequote all
LeeHabbers said:
I checked the brake reservoir straight away and it's fine, but wasn't sure if the clutch had its own one. I don't have a lamp that says I'm leaking fluid and never said it did. Just my clutch peddle was alot lighter than normal but it's somehow sorted itself out now.
Will an internal brake master cylinder leak have any affect on the clutch?
You do have a warning lamp that says the shared fluid level is getting low , just play it by ear and see how it goes

LeeHabbers

Original Poster:

117 posts

73 months

Monday 19th August 2019
quotequote all
Coilspring said:
Has the biting point of the clutch changed ?

Check fluid level regularly for the next few days/weeks. Very important to find out why if any fluid is being used.

It is an unusual symptom that has been described. It was either partially in your mind, or a pre cursor to something else happenening. Could it have been air in the system? But thats unlikely to cure itself.

Likely to be either a leak, or a clutch fault sooner or later if it wasn't all in your mind.

Clutch and/or pedal will fail before your brakes do as the clutch only has a limited supply of fluid. But that doesn't mean the fault could not be on the braking system.
No change in clutch performance whatsoever, if anything it felt smoother. I will be keeping a close eye on the fluid level and if its getting lower I'll take it the clutch master cylinder is fooked. I am waiting on the clutch to go as its on 126k miles now and still no signs of going, maybe this is the 1st warning sign.

Sardonicus

18,928 posts

220 months

Monday 19th August 2019
quotequote all
On a concentric/centre push slave setup far more likely that this is the part most likely to fail/leak than the MC itself IME

LeeHabbers

Original Poster:

117 posts

73 months

Monday 19th August 2019
quotequote all
Sardonicus said:
On a concentric/centre push slave setup far more likely that this is the part most likely to fail/leak than the MC itself IME
Thanks, when the clutch finally gives in I'll be replacing the CSC and flywheel as well so if it is that then it'll be getting replaced soon anyway.