Black clutch fluid, hard to shift

[MaunaKea]

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

[TexasGypsy]

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.

[MaunaKea]

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.....

[TexasGypsy]

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) Also there is Shell MTX Fluid http://shell-lubricants.com/products...php?code=59419. These are both good products and are good for you tranny.