What's in that reservoir?? [Archive]

john95SW2

12-10-2007, 04:16 PM

Hello All,

When you get a chance, look under your hood and just to the right of the brake fluid reservoir there's a smaller reservoir...what's in that one? Mine's a 5 speed, it would be the perfect place for the clutch slave cylinder fluid add but AFAIK that's tapped into the brake fluid. Power steering fluid? Bumper bearing fluid?????? There's no mention in the owner's manual and even the picture in the manual doesn't show it. :dizzy:

Thanks...

Tom92SCm

12-10-2007, 04:42 PM

Brake fluid makes for a great source for hydrualic fluid to be used for clutch actuation......

Squareback

12-10-2007, 06:30 PM

Brake fluid makes for a great source for hydrualic fluid to be used for clutch actuation......

Which is to say...it's for the hydraulic clutch.

john95SW2

12-10-2007, 06:35 PM

So the clutch doesn't share its fluid reservoir with the brakes?

Squareback

12-10-2007, 06:42 PM

So the clutch doesn't share its fluid reservoir with the brakes?

They are most likely connected.

1saxman

12-11-2007, 06:20 PM

They are most likely connected.

It has to be the clutch reservoir. Why would they add the clutch hydraulic fluid to the brake reservoir? The brakes are the most important system in the car - that's why the two systems are separate. Otherwise a leaking clutch master or slave cylinder could drain brake fluid and compromise the brakes.

Squareback

12-11-2007, 06:23 PM

It has to be the clutch reservoir. Why would they add the clutch hydraulic fluid to the brake reservoir? The brakes are the most important system in the car - that's why the two systems are separate. Otherwise a leaking clutch master or slave cylinder could drain brake fluid and compromise the brakes.

Thats the way it is on the majority of vehicles out there. Some vehicles don't even have a separate reservoir for the clutch hydraulic fluid.

john95SW2

12-12-2007, 01:17 PM

Thanks to all for the info - its an interesting set up....

D C

12-12-2007, 02:17 PM

It's blinker fluid. When you notice your turn signals starting to blink slower & dim a little, it's time to fill up. :yes:

john95SW2

12-12-2007, 03:10 PM

It's blinker fluid. When you notice your turn signals starting to blink slower & dim a little, it's time to fill up. :yes:

Do you recommend synthetic or conventional? I've heard that the syn blinker fluid makes them brighter - I used conventional grease in my bumper bearings and switched back to syn as I could feel the HP difference, although I haven't had a chance to dyno it yet since I put on the molybdenum muffler hangers :D

OhioVueBoy

12-12-2007, 04:28 PM

Thats the way it is on the majority of vehicles out there. Some vehicles don't even have a separate reservoir for the clutch hydraulic fluid.

Most GM vehicles have a separate reservoir. The L series 5 speed is the only shared one that I can think of off of the top of my head.
~D.J.~

fpkites

12-12-2007, 08:45 PM

Every manual I've ever worked on, GM or otherwise had a separate res for the clutch - that gets my vote.

john95SW2

12-12-2007, 09:02 PM

Me too but it actually says in the owners manual that the clutch and brakes share a fluid reservoir. I just assumed that it was wrong...but figured I'd ask the folks here.

04Vuesilver

12-12-2007, 10:42 PM

Do you recommend synthetic or conventional? I've heard that the syn blinker fluid makes them brighter - I used conventional grease in my bumper bearings and switched back to syn as I could feel the HP difference, although I haven't had a chance to dyno it yet since I put on the molybdenum muffler hangers :D

Don't forget to lube the muffler bearings too!

john95SW2

12-13-2007, 09:23 AM

Don't forget to lube the muffler bearings too!

I always lube the muffler bearings at the same time I check my lug nut insulators...

Tom92SCm

12-13-2007, 10:13 AM

I just installed some cross drilled brake lines. You guys should try those!

john95SW2

12-13-2007, 10:48 AM

I just installed some cross drilled brake lines. You guys should try those!

I tried to install a set I got off of Ebay but I couldn't get them to fit. Does anyone know how I could get them on without having to modify my air filter bypass valve?

D C

12-13-2007, 01:09 PM

Kaleco's got the brake lines you're looking for. They should fit a VUE with no problems. http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1

john95SW2

12-13-2007, 01:17 PM

I just installed some cross drilled brake lines. You guys should try those!

And to think I thought you were kidding...:xeye:

mellissam

12-15-2007, 02:44 AM

Kaleco's got the brake lines you're looking for. They should fit a VUE with no problems. http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1

Wow, that site has some great products! Latex brake lines...
The one that really caught my eye, was the 'engine oil bypass kit'.:drool:
Sounds like a winner. :)

john95SW2

12-15-2007, 10:16 PM

OMG - I just took a couple of minutes to click around that site...

A round tuit?
Wiper blade sharpener??
Left handed metric screwdriver????
Polishing pads with wear indicators?????
Seasonal Tire Air?????
Piston Spring return????????
A "710" cap?????????????????????

The only things I couldn't find were a horizontal formugulator and the metric channel lock sets - What a find they are! :dizzy: