Loosing clutch fluid-How many miles on a seal

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old git · #1 Post by **old git** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 3:23 pm

So, I replaced the slave cylinder seal about 7K-8K miles ago with a new aprilia seal.
Noticed that the fluid level now drops ever so slightly over a period, seems to be weeping from the hole in the bottom of the slave cylinder.
How often should these things need replacing, is around 10K miles about right, if so I will just get a new seal & swap it out, but if they should last for 20K - 30K miles then maybe I need to be looking for another cause of excessive wear.
Ta muchly.

flatlander · #2 Post by **flatlander** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 4:52 pm

depends on the condition of the seal I suppose I mean are we talking a young healthy seal or one of those cute little white ones? ... igmc

Oh you said CLUTCH fluid I thought you meant .... and a horse would be better

D-Rider · #3 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 5:08 pm

Sounds like a new seal is in order and also an investigation as to why it's leaking so soon. I'd be expecting more from it than you seem to be getting.

old git · #4 Post by **old git** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:44 pm

Ok so checked mileage and is actually just over 10K miles since the last clutch seal swap.
If this is not enough miles & I am investigating, what am I looking for??

D-Rider · #5 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 8:07 pm

Well, in my view, it ought to last longer than that.

I guess you could:

Check it was fitted OK (not suggesting any lack of skill on your part BTW but we all have the occasional mishap or something gets a little displaced on assembly without being spotted)

Look for any rough surfaces on the moving parts.

Check for the presence of abrasive crud in that area.

anzacinexile · #6 Post by **anzacinexile** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 8:50 pm

A lot of people forget the seals is only one part of the equation. The second is the condition of the bore. It MUST be like a mirror in there, anything else will destroy a seal in sparrow fart time

blinkey501 · #7 Post by **blinkey501** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 9:05 pm

I agree everything needs to be clean on re assembly, and no scores or burrs on the piston itself

irich · #8 Post by **irich** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 11:32 am

blinkey501 wrote:I agree everything needs to be clean on re assembly, and no scores or burrs on the piston itself

I third that. I've had hydraulic leaks due to scored bores from dirt in the system. Hydraulics need to be clean.

D-Rider · #9 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 12:03 pm

irich wrote:
blinkey501 wrote:I agree everything needs to be clean on re assembly, and no scores or burrs on the piston itself
I third that. I've had hydraulic leaks due to scored bores from dirt in the system. Hydraulics need to be clean.

On a technicality, you "fourth" that .... adding even more weight to the advice

Nooj · #10 Post by **Nooj** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:54 pm

Over 30,000 miles on the original seal with no issues yet.

anzacinexile · #11 Post by **anzacinexile** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:31 am

Nooj wrote:Over 30,000 miles on the original seal with no issues yet.

Yeah but you don't use the clutch do you