Dark Comfortmatic Clutch fluid (8 Viewers)

[Meg and Sue]

The clutch fluids dark even though it has been replaced recently.
1. What is the cause?
2. Will it eventually lead to master cylinder failure?

Many thanks

 

[Figaro]

I'd be inclined to ask whoever changed the hydraulic fluid recently why it's discolored.

 

[Burge]

"I believe it should be Dexron 111 Automatic Transmission
Fluid Red in Colour.
Comfortmatic Gearbox Problems

There seems to be a lot of anxiety about the reliability of Comfortmatic gearb
misinformation floating around the web (and here)

The Comfortmatic system performs the operations your left foot or left hand (
vans) would usually perform in a manual van.

The gearbox and clutch in both the manual and Comfortmatic vehicles are ide
only occur in how the gear selector is operated and how the clutch master cyli

Gear Selection

The gear selector cam on a manual gearbox is operated by cables directly con
lever to provide the up/down and rotations required to select the 6+R different
Comfortmatic system the gear selector cam is operated by 2 actuators operate
solenoids in the Comfortmatic hydraulic module. 3 solenoids are required to r
of the 6+R manual cable operations. All of these gear selection operations are
gearbox so it doesn't know, or care what is actually changing gears inside the

The Comfortmatic hydraulic gear selector module is very reliable , the only fa
occasional cracked solenoid casings. These can be sourced and replaced but g
replace the whole unit just in case (and it's not their money).

Gear Selection system Durability

The fluid used in this gear selector module is Dexron III Automatic Transmis
red fluid in the rectangular reservoir on the top of the gearbox. The module ha
that captures any minor fluid weepage past seals and recirculates it back into
reused. The system has a very easy life by hydraulic standards and no parts w
should get used so it is effectively sealed for life and needs no maintenance. T
4th solenoid that feeds the clutch actuation system does not have a scavenge sy

Clutch Actuation

The clutch actuation in the Comfortmatic system is the same as the manual cl
cylinder is operated by hydraulics rather than the organic blob holding the ste

On a manual clutch when you press the pedal this pushes a pushrod in the clut
send fluid under pressure to the slave cylinder. With the Comfortmatic the 4th
selector module provides the hydraulic pressure to the Master/Slave unit to m
pedal pushrod operation."

I copied that off Google

 

[Lenny HB]

I believe it should be Dextron 111 and Red in Colour.

I hope not that would completely bugger it that is ATF.

 

[Lenny HB]

Sounds like you could have a slave cylinder problem and getting cross contamination with the hydraulic fluid & actuator fluid.

I don't know if a dealer is able to aynalise the fluid otherwise may mean gearbox out to check the cylinder.

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[MisterB]

"I believe it should be Dexron 111 Automatic Transmission
Fluid Red in Colour.
Comfortmatic Gearbox Problems

There seems to be a lot of anxiety about the reliability of Comfortmatic gearb
misinformation floating around the web (and here)

The Comfortmatic system performs the operations your left foot or left hand (
vans) would usually perform in a manual van.

The gearbox and clutch in both the manual and Comfortmatic vehicles are ide
only occur in how the gear selector is operated and how the clutch master cyli

Gear Selection

The gear selector cam on a manual gearbox is operated by cables directly con
lever to provide the up/down and rotations required to select the 6+R different
Comfortmatic system the gear selector cam is operated by 2 actuators operate
solenoids in the Comfortmatic hydraulic module. 3 solenoids are required to r
of the 6+R manual cable operations. All of these gear selection operations are
gearbox so it doesn't know, or care what is actually changing gears inside the

The Comfortmatic hydraulic gear selector module is very reliable , the only fa
occasional cracked solenoid casings. These can be sourced and replaced but g
replace the whole unit just in case (and it's not their money).

Gear Selection system Durability

The fluid used in this gear selector module is Dexron III Automatic Transmis
red fluid in the rectangular reservoir on the top of the gearbox. The module ha
that captures any minor fluid weepage past seals and recirculates it back into
reused. The system has a very easy life by hydraulic standards and no parts w
should get used so it is effectively sealed for life and needs no maintenance. T
4th solenoid that feeds the clutch actuation system does not have a scavenge sy

Clutch Actuation

The clutch actuation in the Comfortmatic system is the same as the manual cl
cylinder is operated by hydraulics rather than the organic blob holding the ste

On a manual clutch when you press the pedal this pushes a pushrod in the clut
send fluid under pressure to the slave cylinder. With the Comfortmatic the 4th
selector module provides the hydraulic pressure to the Master/Slave unit to m
pedal pushrod operation."

I copied that off Google

I'm not so sure there are lots of misinformation floating around on here relating to comformatic gearboxes ..... Unless you're referring to your own post of course ...

 

[Burge]

Sorry if I've misinformed......was only looking for help so Googled "Comfortmatic G/box" posted what I read..... if this info is incorrect please ignore .

 

[WESTY66]

If you google comfortmatic faults it should say “Go straight to Adams Moray, Portsmouth”

 

[Pausim]

Adams Morey told me that dark clutch actuation fluid means trouble ahead, having reassured me that mine was ok and clear when they drained it off. dunnah01 has over the years posted some helpful diagrams and pictures of the Comfortmatic Master/Slave cylinder. My simple understanding is that this unit has separate chambers and different hydraulic fluids are used for the clutch and gear selection parts of the unit. If the dark gear selection fluid gets into the lighter clutch fluid you have a serious problem. I also recall that some unorthodox methods of replacing the clutch activation fluid can cause problems, for example vacuum emptying can not only suck the lighter clutch fluid out but draw the gear fluid past the seals to pollute the clutch fluid.

What this amounts to is it is important that the Comfortmatic servicing is done by someone who really understands the system and knows how to drain and reset it properly.