mustard color paste in clutch reservoir

[crocktherock]

I recently bought my first Valkyrie and I've been changing the fluids.  I noticed that the clutch reservoir was low so I was planning to fill with DOT 4, but there's a load of mustard color paste in the bottom of the reservoir.  Could this be the result of someone using the wrong brake fluid (e.g. DOT 3)?  If so, would it be enough to remove with paper towel, and flush with DOT 4?

Also, what purpose does the foam float serve, and the black diaphram?

BTW, the clutch works fine.

[Valkpilot]

DOT 3 and DOT 4 are compatible, so mixing the two will not cause what you're seeing.

More likely, the fluid is just old and has absorbed a lot of moisture.  That yellow mung is showing up in a lot of bikes that have either set for a long time or not had their fluid changed regularly.

My advice would be to clean out the master cylinder and flush/bleed the system with good fluid.

[Robert]

Just did a bike with the same colored stuff in the reservoir. Sucked it out cleaned it with a rag topped up with fresh fluid and flushed the rest of the system out and no problems. It just as said moisture in the fluid.

[hubcapsc]

It is "normal" to find boogars in clutch and brake fluid when it is way past time to
change it... the boogars are the difference between "past time" and "way past time"... 



-Mike

[GOOSE]

crocktherock...welcome aboard this great group of people.  you will find almost anything you need to know right here on this board.  i guess all of us at one time or another have had the little problems you are going through with your bike.  good luck.   

[fudgie]

I'd leave the parts mentioned in there. damifiknow what the foam is for but the rubber is like a gasket to hold pressure/seal so your not sucking in air.

[sandy]

If you have a vacuum brake bleeder tool (Mity Vac), pull all the old fluid out. Flush with alcohol and then refill with DOT4 and bleed. The alcohol absorbs leftover moisture and pulls it out.

[gordonv]

Any kind of alcohol? Cheap rubbing, methanol, or?

[Ricky-D]

That crud is an emulsion that forms from combining the brake fluid with water and other contaminants.

The white foam piece that is in the master cylinder reservoir is an aid to help you see the level of the fluid in the reservoir. With clean fluid it is difficult to see the fluid level since the fluid is clear and the floating foam piece aids in that respect.

***

[sandy]

I find good results with isopropyl but have also used denatured alcohol too.