changing clutch oil? tranny oil?

bboynowee · 06-26-2009, 01:06 PM

..I never have changed my clutch/tranny fluid on my 98 SL2 manual transmission...but I want to change both....and want to do it myself...any tips guys....what oils should i use? any tips?

PurdueGuy · 06-26-2009, 01:10 PM

leave the clutch fluid alone. The system is sealed and not bleedable.

Trans fluid is a piece of cake. Drain and refill.

alordofchaos · 06-26-2009, 04:23 PM

I'm pretty sure there's a richpin video in the How To library for replacing clutch fluid using a turkey baster.

As for transmission fluid, drain bolt is near the bottom of the case, lowest point facing the passenger side. Fill is throught the dipstick hole, so you will need a long funnel.

For fluid recommendations, look for posts by OldNuc with the words Amsoil TorqueDrive

<--I think that's what he recommends. There are several recent threads discussing this. Might be in Tech section rather than General forum, though

Col.FUBAR · 06-26-2009, 04:32 PM

To add on to alordofchaos' post. The clutch takes DOT-3 brake fluid

bumpdraft · 06-26-2009, 04:45 PM

My clutch pedal started to get a little catchy when slipping the clutch in first.
I'd already changed the clutch pedal bushings and lubed the heck out of everything with quality silicone grease.

Using a large syringe and fresh D.O.T. 3 brake fluid, I was changing the hydraulic fluid one master cylinder reservoir at a time. Careful not to remove too much and get air in the system.

Yesterday (hot and humid) is was very sticky

and creeky
Today, I bought a new Clutch hydraulic System

Maybe I should have done preventive maint by changing the fluid years ago, or, what Perdueguy says is true.- The clutch fluid lasts until the system fails.

MikeNW · 06-26-2009, 06:53 PM

Brake fluid, which is used in the clutch system and the brake system, is hygroscopic (attracts water).
How does water get into sealed systems? It just does after a long time.

Personally, I like to change brake fluid every couple of years (the stuff that comes out is yukky) also the power steering fluid (with a turkey baster, do it several times and you can get almost 100% of the old stuff out).
I just went through clutch misery last spring + summer, so the clutch system is good for a while.

Good call on Amsoil tranny fluid. Will have to try it

MikeNW · 06-26-2009, 06:55 PM

oh yeah, the O.P. states that he never changed the tranny fluid in his 98, that means he never put a clutch or axles in it? Must be living a good life!

S3aturnR · 06-27-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bboynowee

..I never have changed my clutch/tranny fluid on my 98 SL2 manual transmission...but I want to change both....and want to do it myself...any tips guys....what oils should i use? any tips?

don't.

i've changed mine twice now. both times it was because i removed the gearbox and had to drain it first. the first time i did it, the car had over 165k miles on it. fluid looked pristine.

clutch fluid? never heard of that. perhaps you mean the hydraulic fluid in the clutch line? it is possible to change it even tho the shop manual states that it is a non-serviceable part, but i would just get a new one before i messed with the old one. if this part is not broke, my advice is don't try to fix it...

s3aturnr

OldNuc · 06-27-2009, 04:10 PM

+1^^^Don't fiddle with the hydraulics, its not broke.

No need to change the trans fluid unless you want to use a different fluid.

eRic 02sc2 · 06-27-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bboynowee

..I never have changed my clutch/tranny fluid on my 98 SL2 manual transmission...but I want to change both....and want to do it myself...any tips guys....what oils should i use? any tips?

the clutch uses DOT 3 brake fluid and should not need changing. If yours is low then something is leaking. The hydraulic clutch is sealed and cannot be bled. The manual transaxle fluid needed to be changed once at 6000 miles. use Dexron IIE or III automatic transaxle fluid in it. It takes 2.5L
This info is in the Saturn Owner's Handbook.

06-26-2009, 01:06 PM	#1
bboynowee Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 173 1998 SL2	changing clutch oil? tranny oil? ..I never have changed my clutch/tranny fluid on my 98 SL2 manual transmission...but I want to change both....and want to do it myself...any tips guys....what oils should i use? any tips? ... "Saturn are the best sleepers" "My Saturn Kicks your Uranus"

06-26-2009, 01:10 PM	#2
PurdueGuy Master Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Blackfoot, ID Posts: 6,483 1999 SC2 1999 SC1	Re: changing clutch oil? tranny oil? leave the clutch fluid alone. The system is sealed and not bleedable. Trans fluid is a piece of cake. Drain and refill. ... SaturnSeries.net owner

06-26-2009, 04:23 PM	#3
alordofchaos Super Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Central MI Posts: 13,325 alordofchaos's Photos 2002 SC2 1998 SL2	Re: changing clutch oil? tranny oil? I'm pretty sure there's a richpin video in the How To library for replacing clutch fluid using a turkey baster. As for transmission fluid, drain bolt is near the bottom of the case, lowest point facing the passenger side. Fill is throught the dipstick hole, so you will need a long funnel. For fluid recommendations, look for posts by OldNuc with the words Amsoil TorqueDrive <--I think that's what he recommends. There are several recent threads discussing this. Might be in Tech section rather than General forum, though ... I'm not worthy to grovel in the shadow of Signmaster's wisdom 11/2016 red 2002 5 spd SC2 151k DD 12/2008 eBay silver 1998 SL2 5 spd 102k, now 201k+ miles

06-26-2009, 04:32 PM	#4
Col.FUBAR Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 531 Col.FUBAR's Photos 1994 SC2 1995 SL2	Re: changing clutch oil? tranny oil? To add on to alordofchaos' post. The clutch takes DOT-3 brake fluid

06-26-2009, 04:45 PM	#5
bumpdraft Master Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: “Is not speeding make drivers crash” ~comment by viewer of YouTube vid detailing OH Turnpike blizzard pileup 12-23-2022~ Posts: 4,338 bumpdraft's Photos 1998 SC2 1998 SW2	Re: changing clutch oil? tranny oil? My clutch pedal started to get a little catchy when slipping the clutch in first. I'd already changed the clutch pedal bushings and lubed the heck out of everything with quality silicone grease. Using a large syringe and fresh D.O.T. 3 brake fluid, I was changing the hydraulic fluid one master cylinder reservoir at a time. Careful not to remove too much and get air in the system. Yesterday (hot and humid) is was very stickyand creeky Today, I bought a new Clutch hydraulic System Maybe I should have done preventive maint by changing the fluid years ago, or, what Perdueguy says is true.- The clutch fluid lasts until the system fails.

06-26-2009, 06:53 PM	#6
MikeNW Master Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lower Alabama= God's country, if God wanted mosquito and red ant bites, and to be covered in mildew Posts: 3,451 MikeNW's Photos 1997 SL	Re: changing clutch oil? tranny oil? Brake fluid, which is used in the clutch system and the brake system, is hygroscopic (attracts water). How does water get into sealed systems? It just does after a long time. Personally, I like to change brake fluid every couple of years (the stuff that comes out is yukky) also the power steering fluid (with a turkey baster, do it several times and you can get almost 100% of the old stuff out). I just went through clutch misery last spring + summer, so the clutch system is good for a while. Good call on Amsoil tranny fluid. Will have to try it ... 97 SL. Bought 7/07, reluctantly sold Dec 2019 Burgman 400- indestructible beast Sportster 883- fun bike Cannondale 29er- daily driver

06-26-2009, 06:55 PM	#7
MikeNW Master Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lower Alabama= God's country, if God wanted mosquito and red ant bites, and to be covered in mildew Posts: 3,451 MikeNW's Photos 1997 SL	Re: changing clutch oil? tranny oil? oh yeah, the O.P. states that he never changed the tranny fluid in his 98, that means he never put a clutch or axles in it? Must be living a good life! ... 97 SL. Bought 7/07, reluctantly sold Dec 2019 Burgman 400- indestructible beast Sportster 883- fun bike Cannondale 29er- daily driver

06-27-2009, 04:10 PM	#9
OldNuc Super Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Far Southwestern Iowa Posts: 66,694 OldNuc's Photos 1998 SC2	Re: changing clutch oil? tranny oil? +1^^^Don't fiddle with the hydraulics, its not broke. No need to change the trans fluid unless you want to use a different fluid.

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