Hey guys,

I'm gathering some info before I do my my major brake maintenance on my '02 MCS. In the Maintenance section of the Bentley manual, it states that the clutch and brake systems use the same reservoir and both are checked at the same time in terms of fluid levels. I'm a bit confused as i've never had a car that used this type of shared system.

-How does bleeding the brake lines affect the clutch side?

-will using ATE blue for the brakes be utilized by the clutch?

-how can the brake and clutch use the reservoir when draining and filling the tranny fluid involves the drain and fill plugs underneath the car? Wouldn't that mix with the ATE blue in the reservoir?

Also, when upgrading the brakelines to SS will draining the brake system completely adversely affect the system being empty?


I'm a bit confused and the car is used but new to me. Just relearning new systems from Mini.

Thanks for any help !

 

The clutch is hydrolicly actuated....
the fluid have nothing to do with the oil in the tranny...

 

draining the reservoir won't effect the clutch at all. Just make sure you refill it when your done.

Also for brake fluid if you haven't done it already, I don't suggest the ATE fluid. Get the Motul if you need a high temp fluid.

 

Zippy - That makes more sense, thanks!

Way - Any reason why ATE would not be recommended? I reasoned from searching that ATE blue would be a good contrast indicator when flushing old fluid. I don't track or do any competitive driving, would you still recommend Motul? Thanks!

 

So the reservoir on the drivers side firewall is for both clutch and brake?

 

Yes.
Be careful not to let it go dry while flushing/bleeding the brakes or youmight get air in the clutch line (or vice versa).
The clutch is a pain to bleed - you have to compress the clutch slave mounted to the transmission with a tool or
something homemade to do it properly.

 

Is there an effective and less messy way to upgrade to SS brakelines if the reservoir still holds fluids?

I've read a thread on one members difficulty in swapping out lines, but having it spray everywhere upon removal while trying to prevent the reservoir from going dry.

Could you just plug up the hardlines leading from the reservoir?