Black clutch fluid, hard to shift

95 1/2 Isuzu Rodeo
85,000 miles

Problems: Black Clutch Fluid
Difficult to shift
Extremely soft pedal

The other night I started hearing squeaking sounds whenever I used the clutch. It didn't squeak as much when I just pushed the pedal in and out without shifting, but when I actually shifted it squeaked. I thought it sounded like the pedal needed a little oil, but the fact that it only did it while shifting confused me. In the morning, I had a very difficult time getting it in gear, and pretty much rode in in first for the mile back to my house (from my girlfriend's place). I checked the clutch fluid, and it was low and pretty darn black. I filled it back to max, but I'm still having problems putting it into first or reverse. I'd like to take it down to my mechanic, but I don't want to do any more damage to the car. Is there an easy way to flush the fluid? Is there something else I should check? Thanks for your help!

***The clutch is only about 8 months old (1,500 miles), which really bums me out, seeing that it costs >$1000 to replace. I'd hate to find out I wasted my money.

-Justin

I have the same thing going with my 92 Rodeo. Going to change the fluid out and pump it down this week and ill let ya know what I find. On my tranny when it first started to act up like yours I discovered that it had wrong fluid in it and it was low. So I changed the fluid and brought it up to proper level and it helped a lot but still acts up. So i looked at my fluid and saw that it appeared like yours. Ill lat ya know what happends but thake a look at you tranny fluid/oil see if its low and check also to see if its the right stuff...thats is a good place to start.

I bled the clutch to get out the air bubbles and it seems to be running fine. I didn't completely flush it yet though...that's next on the list. I'm still getting that strange squeaking.....

Kewl glad that worked out for you. You probably need to change the slave cy out soon. Might I suggest that when you change your tranny to use Royal Purple Syncromax http://www.royalpurple.com/prodsa/scmax.html. It good stuff. (www.royalpurple.com (http://www.royalpurple.com)) Also there is Shell MTX Fluid http://shell-lubricants.com/products/product_details.php?code=59419. These are both good products and are good for you tranny.