Uploaded March 2017 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
Hey everyone, let’s talk about clutch master cylinders.
If you have an S2000 there is a large chance that your clutch master cylinder is currently leaking. You see, as the clutch fluid gets pumped in and out of the reservoir, contaminants are introduced into the clutch fluid and these contaminates eventually wear away at the clutch master cylinder seals. The seals will fail, clutch fluid will slowly disappear, and eventually you will end up with an empty reservoir… unable to use your clutch.
You can inspect your clutch master cylinder by getting under the dash and looking behind the clutch pedal. What you’re looking for is black gunk or brake fluid where the rod meets the piston. If your leak is really bad there will be brake fluid leaking onto the firewall. If your clutch master cylinder has gotten to this point you will want to replace it.
Thankfully it is extremely easy to prevent this problem on the S2000 if you clutch master cylinder hasn’t met its fate yet. All you have to do is routinely replace the clutch fluid in the clutch master cylinder reservoir and clean it. You can tell when your clutch fluid needs to be replaced because the fluid will be very dark, almost black. I personally do it whenever I perform an oil change. Let me show you how its done.
1. Remove the clutch master cylinder reservoir cap and insert some rags or paper towels around the reservoir to catch any unwanted spills.
2. Use a turkey baster to suck the clutch fluid out of the reservoir. Make sure not to spill any clutch fluid on the paint as it can damage the paint.
3. When the reservoir is empty use a paper towel to remove any remaining contaminants from inside the reservoir.
4. Lastly, refill the reservoir with fresh brake fluid and replace the reservoir cap.
Hey everyone, let’s talk about clutch master cylinders.
If you have an S2000 there is a large chance that your clutch master cylinder is currently leaking. You see, as the clutch fluid gets pumped in and out of the reservoir, contaminants are introduced into the clutch fluid and these contaminates eventually wear away at the clutch master cylinder seals. The seals will fail, clutch fluid will slowly disappear, and eventually you will end up with an empty reservoir… unable to use your clutch.
You can inspect your clutch master cylinder by getting under the dash and looking behind the clutch pedal. What you’re looking for is black gunk or brake fluid where the rod meets the piston. If your leak is really bad there will be brake fluid leaking onto the firewall. If your clutch master cylinder has gotten to this point you will want to replace it.
Thankfully it is extremely easy to prevent this problem on the S2000 if you clutch master cylinder hasn’t met its fate yet. All you have to do is routinely replace the clutch fluid in the clutch master cylinder reservoir and clean it. You can tell when your clutch fluid needs to be replaced because the fluid will be very dark, almost black. I personally do it whenever I perform an oil change. Let me show you how its done.
1. Remove the clutch master cylinder reservoir cap and insert some rags or paper towels around the reservoir to catch any unwanted spills.
2. Use a turkey baster to suck the clutch fluid out of the reservoir. Make sure not to spill any clutch fluid on the paint as it can damage the paint.
3. When the reservoir is empty use a paper towel to remove any remaining contaminants from inside the reservoir.
4. Lastly, refill the reservoir with fresh brake fluid and replace the reservoir cap.
