Recommendations for clutch fluid replacement interval

[GrahamClark_60-68]

A member on a FB forum is recommending annual replacement of the clutch fluid. Would like to get input on this from this forum. His post:

“ I had maintenance work done on the Emira. It is almost 1 year old with 4200 miles.
On the Clutch bleed, I was told by an evora now emira owner to do this yearly as the heat from the headers "cooks" the clutch fluid and eventually fails the clutch cylinder. I did some research and while the emira has some "shielding" I decided to get it done to see what the fluid looked like. I can tell you from seeing it, the clutch fluid was dirty enough. It was significantly darker than the brake fluid that we bled from the Brake lines. The mechanic who works on race cars and is a SCCA racer commented that the clutch fluids are indeed getting a lot of heat due to the color. So I would advise that you do this yearly”

What do you all think about this especially with regard to the comment about failing the clutch cylinder?

 

[seriously]

Also curious

 

[SX 10TUS]

Brake and clutch fluid normally come from the same reservoir...

Are they separate on our cars?

Or are we talking gearbox oil?

 

[jp129]

Brake and clutch fluid normally come from the same reservoir...

Are they separate on our cars?

Or are we talking gearbox oil?

Brake and clutch slave fluid shares the same reservoir, but they're divided internally. So they are not technically shared between the two.

A few Evora owners have provided feedback to performing semi-annual clutch fluid exchanges.

 

[myfastlotus]

I do mine every two years just like the brakes. If you track i would more often.

 

[Read T]

Castrol SRF is reportedly less hygroscopic and has a high wet/dry boiling point. A number of racers I trust recommend it and feel comfortable with longer change intervals. While heat can degrade the fluid and the seals in the master/slave cylinder, I don't see how old fluid would directly cause failure of the slave/master themselves unless the fluid was very contaminated.

 

[Rapture]

How much fluid is required to replace the existing fluid?

 

[RyanGphoto]

Anyone else have more info on this?

 

[Aero]

The official Lotus service schedule I got from my dealer says every 2 years or 20k miles. FWIW.
If you track it or lots of spirited driving at all I would stick to that guideline.

 

[F1 SML8R]

The official Lotus service schedule I got from my dealer says every 2 years or 20k miles. FWIW.
If you track it or lots of spirited driving at all I would stick to that guideline.

It's actually quite the opposite. If you track at all, I would be doing this at least annually, but better yet every 6 months.

This is nothing new. There has been (and apparently continues to be) a chronic problem with master cylinder failures aggravated by boiled fluid. It's been beat to death by Evora owners enough that there are multiple after-market replacement options for the crappy plastic OE master cylinder. Also, if you just look to where the slave cylinder is located to actuate the clutch, you'll understand why. It literally sits right next to one of teh exhaust header banks and is literally being cooked even in just normal everyday driving.

BTW, don't take my word for it, just google "Lotus Evora/Emira master cylinder failure" or "clutch pedal to the floor." Please note, this is specific to the Toyota engine.

 

[Aero]

It's actually quite the opposite. If you track at all, I would be doing this at least annually, but better yet every 6 months.

I meant no way one should exceed that duration from dealer recommendation in that case. More track use would requiring doing all the fluids even more frequent.