Resovoir Bone Dry

[steve6864]

Well,I`m in the same boat as the guy recently stranded in Orlando,but,in my driveway thankfully.Went to move the D to wash it and it lurched backwards although the clutch pedal was all the way in.Got it into neutral,started it and it wouldn`t go into any gear.Checked the fluid and yes,bone dry!First of all is synthetic brake fluid okay?I pumped and pumped with no change.Actually pedal feel is normal.Maybe a little lighter than usual.No signs of fluid under the car or in the car,but,was recently driven succesfully.No signs of trouble.Where is the bleed screw and is it a 2 person job?Thanks for your help as I go to read my shop manual.6864.Steve.

[DMC3165]

It is a GINORMOUS pain in the ass to bleed that thing! It is located on the slave cylinder on the top of the bell housing. A real nightmare. Pray its not frozen or you'll snap it right off if you try to turn it.

If you do get it loose and can contort yourself into a position to loosen the bleeder then yes you will need someone to pump the pedal while you bleed the system. It really depends on how you like to do stuff like that. I prefer the 2 man approach to bleeding brakes and clutch hydraulics.

Best thing is to find where it leaked out from first before going through all that aggravation.

[Cory W]

I'd probably stick with the DOT4 fluid that was in the car for now. OF course, if you wind up replacing the master and slave over this, it's your call.

The bleed screw is at the "rear" of the engine (closest to the passenger compartment), near the center of the car, angled up and slightly to the right. It's easiest to do this with a helper (one to turn the screw and watch the bleed, the other to press and hold the clutch pedal for you). As stated before, to really see the bleed screw, it's best to cover the engine with a blanket or a couple sheets of cardboard, climb up, and lean right over the engine. It can be done without removing the lower engine cover, but for more headroom you want to remove it.

EDIT:

Best thing is to find where it leaked out from first before going through all that aggravation.

Beat me by seconds, and that's bang on right there!

[David T]

Don't waste your time bleeding the old parts. Replace the master and the slave and the hose if it is the plastic one and then bleed. Use Castrol DOT 4 GTLMA. Pull the carpet on the driver's side and clean up all of the brake fluid.
David Teitelbaum

[steve6864]

Gentlemen,I believe I got lucky as fresh fluid and a lot of pumping resulted in good pressure and pedal feel.Shifted into all gears sitting still,so,took off for a test drive and all seems to be well.For now.What could go wrong?Waiting for a new engine cover and shocks to arrive.Already have the spring kit so i really would like to not have any un-expected repair bills for a while as I`m planning powdered coated wheels after the lowering.All in time for June/Orlando show.steve 6864.

[Stainless]

Call me crazy, but I believe the only reason that the reservoir would be bone dry is if there is a leak or failure somewhere that is allowing the fluid to escape. You may have lucked out for now by adding fluid to resolve the symptom, but it sounds like you definitely have a need to replace/rebuild your clutch hydraulics. If you are running original clutch hydraulics, they are likely the culprit.

If you are going to rebuild/replace one thing, like the clutch line, and if the other parts are original, now is the perfect opportunity to replace the master, slave, and upgrade to a SS line. Good luck with figuring out what is wrong.

[DMCMW Dave]

.What could go wrong?.

It could (and will) all leak out again, unless someone snuck in to your garage and stole your clutch fluid.

[DMC3165]

You may be ok for a little while but don't bet on it lasting for long. If getting to DCS is your main goal, go through those clutch hydraulics before you spend the money on powder coating your wheels. Otherwise you might end up sitting on the side of the road with no clutch halfway to Florida.

......with nice shiny wheels

[John U]

and when you replace the slave, buy one of these bleeders.....

http://www.specialtauto.com/delorean-parts/clutch-transmission.html


you will be glad you did!!

[ccurzio]

I was "that guy" in Orlando. And this:


It could (and will) all leak out again, unless someone snuck in to your garage and stole your clutch fluid.

...is truth. Don't consider this problem fixed. You have a leak.