Clutch Bleeding on 996 GT3

[pgwilliams]

Recently, I asked my mechanic to replace the brake fluid in my GT3 with Super Blue. He told me that the brake system and the clutch shared the same fluid reservoir and that changing the fluid would require bleeding the clutch. He also told me that it was a big pain and that he didn't want to do it because I needed the car the next day for a weekend DE. He was afraid that if anything went wrong with the clutch bleed, it would ruin my DE weekend.

In perusing the RennTech Forum, I noticed that back in August, RJFabCab was asking about where to find the bleeder valve for the GT3 clutch. This made me wonder if I could try to do the fluid change myself. If it isn't too involved, could someone (probably Loren) list, or tell me where to find a list, the steps involved in changing the fluid and bleeding the clutch? I would need to know the little "Gotcha" points and what to look for to know that I had done it properly.

If this is asking too much from a free Forum, I understand. However, I would like to become more competent in working on my car and have no idea where to find such detailed advice.

Thanks !!

[Loren]

The process for a GT3 is the same as a Carrera.

Have a look at the DIY here to see if it is what you want to try.

[RayGT3]

I believe the factory fill is ATE gold, the blue is the same with the exception of the color. That being the case there should be no problem with contamination of one fluid type to another. Granted it might be advisable at some point to bleed the clutch fluid. I've been switching between the ATE blue and gold for over 3 years with no ill effects.

[clord]

Hi pqwilliams..... Yes, the brakes and clutch share the same fluid supply...but, as Ray implied above, there is much less need to bleed the clutch as often as you do the brakes. The fluid in the brake calipers can reach 300-500+ F on the track due to brake heat soak, where the fluid at the clutch slave will not. That's not to say you never need to bleed the clutch, but, nowhere near as often as at the brake calipers.

[pgwilliams]

Thanks guys. You have been a big help. Although, I have a sneaking suspicion that it won't be as easy (especially the clutch bleed, if I decide to go there) as the directions make it sound. I guess I will look at it as my first "up close and personal" event with the car.