Clutch fluid reservoir dry

[Viper Pit]

So I went to start the car today after sitting for 2 months and the clutch pedal was soft and went to the floor only to engage about 2” off the floor. Went under the hood and checked the clutch fluid reservoir and it was bone dry. I added dot 4 fluid and as I filled it up, the opening in the bottom was producing air bubbles. The bubbles stopped after a minute and when I tested the pedal is was a little better but now I must have air in the system. Where did the fluid go, do I have a leak somewhere? I flushed the clutch fluid back in November of 2017 and bled the system and all was fine.
Could I have a leak that would not leave a puddle somewhere?

[Corse]

So I went to start the car today after sitting for 2 months and the clutch pedal was soft and went to the floor only to engage about 2” off the floor. Went under the hood and checked the clutch fluid reservoir and it was bone dry. I added dot 4 fluid and as I filled it up, the opening in the bottom was producing air bubbles. The bubbles stopped after a minute and when I tested the pedal is was a little better but now I must have air in the system. Where did the fluid go, do I have a leak somewhere? I flushed the clutch fluid back in November of 2017 and bled the system and all was fine.
Could I have a leak that would not leave a puddle somewhere?

Could be leaking into the floorboard and soaking in there, mine is seeping a little bit, and I could definitely see how if it failed in a certain way how it could make a mess there. If you check the floorboard area and look at the clutch master, do you see it seeping at all?

[02rt10]

check slave cylinder for leaks

[USAFPILOT]

Mine just started leaking the other day too. It is squirting out inside the bell housing somewhere and leaking onto the ground. I keep filling it up but don’t know what’s the cause get. You could take the inspection cover off and see it it is wet in there.

I am suspecting it’s my clutch or something. I haven’t really dug into it. Probably gonna let Viper Exchange figure it out.

[uvbnbit]

Mine just started leaking the other day too. It is squirting out inside the bell housing somewhere and leaking onto the ground. I keep filling it up but don’t know what’s the cause get. You could take the inspection cover off and see it it is wet in there.

I am suspecting it’s my clutch or something. I haven’t really dug into it. Probably gonna let Viper Exchange figure it out.

This sounds like slave is going bad

[Fatboy 18]

I too would put this down to a bad Slave Cylinder in the Transmission area. The thing is any leaking fluid will be absorbed by clutch dust within the bell housing, You could try topping up the fluid but at the end of the day the writing is on the wall that soon maintenance will have to be performed!

[J TNT]

Replacing the clutch fluid on a regular basis helps the seals last longer.........
I've seen new fluid turn black with just 6-8 hard launches.

[Steve M]

As much as you'd like to believe it, the fluid didn't just evaporate.

I had this happen on another vehicle back in the day (LS1 Camaro), and it was definitely a leaky slave (more specifically, a leaky remote bleeder). No signs of a leak until I noticed the reservoir was dry.

Unfortunately, you'll be pulling the transmission to get at it.

I'd highly recommend you install a good quality remote bleeder while you are in there...makes bleeding so much easier.

[Viper Pit]

Who makes a remote bleeder?

[Steve M]

Who makes a remote bleeder?

I ended up making my own: https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/23197-How-to-Make-Your-Own-Clutch-Bleeder-Line

I'm sure you could also source something from either Dan Cragin or Jon B.

Pretty sure the Gen 1-4 Vipers used the same slave cylinder, so what I did should work for you as well. You'd want to double check that to make sure though.

[13COBRA]

I just had this happen with my CC a couple months ago, leaking slave.

[02rt10]

You might see a drop, but it evaporates - if the inspection area is wet that’ll be my first guess. Mine did that and ended up being the slave cylinder.
Got the parts from JonB and took me a day of work on a 4post lift.


Mine just started leaking the other day too. It is squirting out inside the bell housing somewhere and leaking onto the ground. I keep filling it up but don’t know what’s the cause get. You could take the inspection cover off and see it it is wet in there.

I am suspecting it’s my clutch or something. I haven’t really dug into it. Probably gonna let Viper Exchange figure it out.

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

Common Problem. 95% likley to be the slave. Almost NEVER the master. Fluid leaked into the bell housing where the slave is located. Fluid never reached ground, so no visible puddle. Did NOT evaporate!

Fluid will slosh / seep out of bell when cornering.....hopefully not under your rear tires.

Seldom-driven, older, low-miles cars quite common. Seals dry out. You gotta pump the pedal a few times during storage events. Adding fluid and pumping the pedal can/will usually lube/re-seal the bad one for a while. If you just keep adding fluid you make the bell housing pool larger.

In Stock. JonB@PartsRack.com

P.S> On higher miles cars, this event is opportune to changing the clutch if worn.

[USAFPILOT]

That’s what I think, in my case it’ll means. New clutch, new slave and some transmission work, 2nd gear synchro is dying. I guess I’ll look into a remote bleeding kit.

Apologies for Hijacking the thread, similar problem though, if not the same.

[thetalonguy]

Agree with all above, definitely sounds like a slave. Had the same exact symptoms myself.

Remote bleeding kit is EXTRA nice to have while you're in there. I added an aluminum flywheel while I was in there, which I do personally love. Some don't like the parking lot shudder at low RPMS, but it doesn't bother me because race car.

Good luck!

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

Slave Shipped Today, Prio Mail you have tracking. You will receive it NEXT YEAR....

Thanks JH



So I went to start the car today after sitting for 2 months and the clutch pedal was soft and went to the floor only to engage about 2” off the floor. Went under the hood and checked the clutch fluid reservoir and it was bone dry. I added dot 4 fluid and as I filled it up, the opening in the bottom was producing air bubbles. The bubbles stopped after a minute and when I tested the pedal is was a little better but now I must have air in the system. Where did the fluid go, do I have a leak somewhere? I flushed the clutch fluid back in November of 2017 and bled the system and all was fine.
Could I have a leak that would not leave a puddle somewhere?