Loss of clutch fluid

The trans was getting hard to shift and the clutch engagement point was
moving toward the firewall. I checked and was low on fluid. I added maybe
an ounce to the fill line (a few thimblefulls) and it's shifting fine again.
But, two questions:

1. I can't see down in there to where it's leaking. I've never seen any
fluid of any kind under the car, even when it's parked for weeks. I suppose
I only lose fluid when driving because you have to be using the clutch? Is
the problem the clutch master cylinder? I found a website at corvetteforum
that gives nice detail with pictures about how to replace it. Seems doable
in a few hours. I just wonder if that's probably the reason.

2. Why does the owner's manual tell me there are only two nuts to take off
in order to lift and move the ECM, when in fact there are three? And what
genius decided to put the fill point where you have to move the ECM to get
to it?

AJM
'93 Ruby coupe, 6 sp

First trying bleeding the clutch slave cylinder. But if you're losing
fluid some where, I would suggest changing both the slave and master
cylinders...And use flare nut wrenches on the lines

"CardsFan" > wrote in message >...
> The trans was getting hard to shift and the clutch engagement point was
> moving toward the firewall. I checked and was low on fluid. I added maybe
> an ounce to the fill line (a few thimblefulls) and it's shifting fine again.
> But, two questions:
>
> 1. I can't see down in there to where it's leaking. I've never seen any
> fluid of any kind under the car, even when it's parked for weeks. I suppose
> I only lose fluid when driving because you have to be using the clutch? Is
> the problem the clutch master cylinder? I found a website at corvetteforum
> that gives nice detail with pictures about how to replace it. Seems doable
> in a few hours. I just wonder if that's probably the reason.

If you don't see any fluid, it's most likely leaking out the rear seal
of the master cylinder, and slowly oozing down your clutch pedal. Not
sure of the panels on a '93, but I had fluid absorb into the padding
of the hush pad. The only way I knew it was leaking is by seeing the
fluid level go down.

If you replace the master, do yourself a favor and replace the slave
cylinder while you're at it.

"Larry Bud" > wrote in message
om...
> "CardsFan" > wrote in message
>...
> > The trans was getting hard to shift and the clutch engagement point was
> > moving toward the firewall. I checked and was low on fluid. I added
maybe
> > an ounce to the fill line (a few thimblefulls) and it's shifting fine
again.
> > But, two questions:
> >
> > 1. I can't see down in there to where it's leaking. I've never seen
any
> > fluid of any kind under the car, even when it's parked for weeks. I
suppose
> > I only lose fluid when driving because you have to be using the clutch?
Is
> > the problem the clutch master cylinder? I found a website at
corvetteforum
> > that gives nice detail with pictures about how to replace it. Seems
doable
> > in a few hours. I just wonder if that's probably the reason.
>
> If you don't see any fluid, it's most likely leaking out the rear seal
> of the master cylinder, and slowly oozing down your clutch pedal. Not
> sure of the panels on a '93, but I had fluid absorb into the padding
> of the hush pad. The only way I knew it was leaking is by seeing the
> fluid level go down.
>
> If you replace the master, do yourself a favor and replace the slave
> cylinder while you're at it.

Will do. That's exactly what the corvettefever (sorry I said corvetteforum
before) web page says:

http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/84759/

I had a hunch it might be leaking to the inside the car. I'll check it out
later. I hope to do this repair the weekend after I get the parts. Would
anyone have an opinion of aftermarket vs. Genuine GM parts? On
gmpartsdirect I see both the master and slave cylinders costing about 85
bucks. If I'm not driving the car more than a few K miles a year, would
going aftermarket be just as well?

AJM
'93 Ruby coupe, 6 sp

"RicSeyler" > wrote in message
...
>
> CardsFan wrote:
>
> >The trans was getting hard to shift and the clutch engagement point was
> >moving toward the firewall. I checked and was low on fluid. I added
maybe
> >an ounce to the fill line (a few thimblefulls) and it's shifting fine
again.
> >But, two questions:
> >
> >1. I can't see down in there to where it's leaking. I've never seen any
> >fluid of any kind under the car, even when it's parked for weeks. I
suppose
> >I only lose fluid when driving because you have to be using the clutch?
Is
> >the problem the clutch master cylinder? I found a website at
corvetteforum
> >that gives nice detail with pictures about how to replace it. Seems
doable
> >in a few hours. I just wonder if that's probably the reason.
> >
> Be sure to change the Master AND the Slave cyl..

Roger.

> >2. Why does the owner's manual tell me there are only two nuts to take
off
> >in order to lift and move the ECM, when in fact there are three? And
what
> >genius decided to put the fill point where you have to move the ECM to
get
> >to it?
> >
>
> '94 6 speed ragtop and I only have 1 bolt.. Do you know that the ECM
> snaps into place
> with a plastic bracket on the bottom of it?

Yes, but just removing that one bolt wouldn't allow moving the whole ECM off
to the side, bracket and all. The manual said to remove the front and
left-side nuts, then to swing the ECM away. There's a 3d nut on the right
side near the horn. Without removing it, the ECM stays put. I figure it
was a design modification that never made it through to the tech writers???

I still think it's silly to completely obscure a location where you might
have to add fluid.

AJM
'93 Ruby coupe, 6 sp