Clutch Problems

[ukflyboy]

So my S3 has decided that it doesn't want to go into gear, which I think is being caused by soft, ineffective clutch pedal. I've read a few threads on here about it and after checking my almost dry clutch fluid reservoir and not finding any obvious recent leaks, decided that I would top it up and bleed it to see if that solved things, even if temporarily.

So I have topped up the reservoir with Dot4, attached a visibleed one way bleed valve onto the slave cylinder bleed nipple and loosened off the bleed nipple. Unfortunately pressing the clutch in isn't actually bleeding off any fluid at all. The clutch actuator is still moving a bit so there is fluid getting through the system, but none is bleeding out. I've not looked at the movement of the clutch actuator when it was working properly to know if it is moving a 'normal' amount, but the clutch still feels a bit lame and I suspect it isn't moving as much as it should, hence the gear problem.

So anyone able to provide any help? The bit I can't get my head around is why the master cylinder is still moving fluid around enough to move the slave cylinder, but no fluid is bleeding off??!!

[magpies]

you can check the master cylinder by removing the out pipe/hose (to the slave) and fit a temporary short pipe to a container (just so you don'r squirt fluid everywhere)

Then press the peddle and see how much fluid it is moving.

[phillpot]

ukflyboy said:

So anyone able to provide any help?

Get an eezibleed, got to be one of the best things I've ever bought

[ukflyboy]

I'll be honest, I did look at getting one but decided against it to avoid the faff of connecting it to a spare tyre of the right pressure etc. Might have to pick one up from Halfords this arvo!

[GreenV8S]

Is the bleed nipple clear? If it's gunked up then it may not actually bleed any fluid any when it's cracked open. I've bought various devices to spray pressurised brake fluid around the garage but my preferred method for bleeding is still to bring a clear tube from the bleed nipple up to a container near the master reservoir so I can see exactly what's coming out, and bleed by pumping the pedal. This does risk damaging the seals if the master cylinder is worn, but that's something that ought to be addressed anyway. When chasing air locks after the system has been flushed through I will also dump the fluid straight back into the reservoir.

[ukflyboy]

Thanks folks, the answer the solution was the Gunson Eezibleed; It took me 1:30 in total to drive to Halfords, buy it, fit it, bleed the system and have the clutch working perfectly again! Clearly it shouldn't just have run out of fluid and gone soft, so will have to keep an eye out for leaks around the slave and master, but at least it is up and running for some glorious weather while I'm on leave!

Anyone else thinking of bleeding clutches/brakes, don't waste your time with the europat one-way valve bleed system, the extra £15 and 'hassle' of connecting the Gunson to your spare tyre is more than worth it!

[Tezza142]

Hi, have a problem with the clutch as well at the moment, the fluid was dropping but i could not find out where from until i had someone pump the pedal so i could see where it was leaking, after a lot of scratching our heads we eventually found fluid running down the pedal and onto the carpet seems like the seals have gone in the master cylinder so have got one on order. I actually dismissed the damp/wet carpet as rain water due to the weather earlier as she does leak a bit.

[GreenV8S]

Check the condition of the brake servo while you're there - it suffers from corrosion at the best of times, but adding brake fluid won't have done it any favours.