Clutch Question (again)

[sneakygloworm]

Hi all,


Took the car to vaux yesterday to get the clutch bled because of the hard/soft pedal problem. Just got off the phone to them now and the reception guy said that the mechanic is having trouble bleeding the clutch. He said that they took the pipe off and attached their bleeder thingy and when they pumped the clutch, nothing happened. No fluid or anything came out. He said that it could be blocked up. Does this ever happen? Surely the clutch wouldn't have worked before vaux had it if it was blocked? I can feel my bank account emptying already.....

[stevieturbo]

It's maybe worth taking it somewhere else. While it may be awkward in terms of access....bleeding the clutch is a very straightforward job, and I cant see how it would be blocked in such a way as it couldnt be bled.

[granada203028]

Vauxhall told me they bleed the clutch using a vacuum pump to suck fluid from the bleed point. I tried this with a fridge compressor (which make good vacuum pumps) but could not get it to work - probably sucks air in around the bleed valve.

So no substitute for doing it properly with some one opening the valve and somebody else depressing the pedal. Really a 3 man job with another watching the reservoir!

[sneakygloworm]

That's probably why then. Silly Knobbers! With any luck training and common sense will intercede and i'll get my car back with new fluid. Here's hoping....

[S800VXR]

You can not vacume bleed the clutch with the stock setup and its a PITA to bleed fullstop. I very much doubt if some numpty mechanic fresh out of VX training would even know were to start and WTF is he on about with "removing the pipe" what fking pipe!?
Take it to Mr fish or Rapid and get them to do it for you!

Me - Im having a nice remote bleeder fitted to mine whilst its in bits so the bleed point will be conveniantly under the bonnet in easy reach.

[sneakygloworm]

S800VXR said:

You can not vacume bleed the clutch with the stock setup and its a PITA to bleed fullstop. I very much doubt if some numpty mechanic fresh out of VX training would even know were to start and WTF is he on about with "removing the pipe" what ing pipe!?
Take it to Mr fish or Rapid and get them to do it for you!

Me - Im having a nice remote bleeder fitted to mine whilst its in bits so the bleed point will be conveniantly under the bonnet in easy reach.

Monkfish said it's probably worth fitting an ls7 clutch then worries over. Probably get remote bleed put in then. Considering Poxhall marketed these cars it is surprising they don't know Fk all about them. Horrible really. The guy on the desk said The 'Mechanic' wanted to poke something into the bleeder bit but was worried clutch fluid may spray into the gearbox! What is going on! Please don't break my car.....ers!

Edited by sneakygloworm on Tuesday 8th September 21:38

[Bonnie and Clyde]

I'd get it out of there ASAP. Seriously

[S800VXR]

sneakygloworm said:

S800VXR said:

You can not vacume bleed the clutch with the stock setup and its a PITA to bleed fullstop. I very much doubt if some numpty mechanic fresh out of VX training would even know were to start and WTF is he on about with "removing the pipe" what fking pipe!?
Take it to Mr fish or Rapid and get them to do it for you!

Me - Im having a nice remote bleeder fitted to mine whilst its in bits so the bleed point will be conveniantly under the bonnet in easy reach.

Monkfish said it's probably worth fitting an ls7 clutch then worries over. Probably get remote bleed put in then. Considering Poxhall marketed these cars it is surprising they don't know Fk all about them. Horrible really. The guy on the desk said The 'Mechanic' wanted to poke something into the bleeder bit but was worried clutch fluid may spray into the gearbox! What is going on! Please don't break my car.....fkers!

Edited by sneakygloworm on Tuesday 8th September 21:38

Having been down this route Monkfish do not offer an off the shelf kit. If you speak to Rapid they will do it for you since its becoming standard practice when they go near the clutch. Why do you need a clutch upgrade?

[sneakygloworm]

Only because when I spoke to monkfish they told me the clutch symptom I was experiencing was probably a worn clutch. I would prefer not to change the clutch, of course. They told me they would do the fluid but it did sound like the actual clutch. They gave me a price for a fluid change and I decided vaux would be cheaper (closer to home=less fuel, worked out about 10 quid cheaper and I didn't have to travel for 4 hours). Didn't think vaux would make such a pig's ear of it though. I wanted to change fluid first and then if it was the clutch, change it later. However, my gears change nicely all the time except when spanked hard. Then it's hard to select a gear for a few seconds then okay again although clutch remains heavy for a while.

[monkfish1]

sneakygloworm said:

Only because when I spoke to monkfish they told me the clutch symptom I was experiencing was probably a worn clutch. I would prefer not to change the clutch, of course. They told me they would do the fluid but it did sound like the actual clutch. They gave me a price for a fluid change and I decided vaux would be cheaper (closer to home=less fuel, worked out about 10 quid cheaper and I didn't have to travel for 4 hours). Didn't think vaux would make such a pig's ear of it though. I wanted to change fluid first and then if it was the clutch, change it later. However, my gears change nicely all the time except when spanked hard. Then it's hard to select a gear for a few seconds then okay again although clutch remains heavy for a while.

You do indeed need a clutch, but not beacause its worn! I echo others comments, take it somewhere that knows. You cannot vac bleed it!

[V2RAC]

monkfish1 said:

sneakygloworm said:

Only because when I spoke to monkfish they told me the clutch symptom I was experiencing was probably a worn clutch. I would prefer not to change the clutch, of course. They told me they would do the fluid but it did sound like the actual clutch. They gave me a price for a fluid change and I decided vaux would be cheaper (closer to home=less fuel, worked out about 10 quid cheaper and I didn't have to travel for 4 hours). Didn't think vaux would make such a pig's ear of it though. I wanted to change fluid first and then if it was the clutch, change it later. However, my gears change nicely all the time except when spanked hard. Then it's hard to select a gear for a few seconds then okay again although clutch remains heavy for a while.

You do indeed need a clutch, but not beacause its worn! I echo others comments, take it somewhere that knows. You cannot vac bleed it!

These clutches appear to behave in some rather odd ways. You say it's not worn so what exactly is wrong with it. (Just interested)

[S800VXR]

Given the choice of having one of the specialist or VX work on your car I would suggest you get the specialist to do it. Monkfish will certainly bleed the clutch far more efficiantly than VX would! Yr symptons do suggest a good flush through will solve your problem....

[anonymous-user]

sneakygloworm said:

However, my gears change nicely all the time except when spanked hard. Then it's hard to select a gear for a few seconds then okay again although clutch remains heavy for a while.

Mine did the exact same thing when it was slipping and boiling the fluid. New twin plate clutch not slipping but pedal still went a little mushy after full beans and this was fixed by replacing filthy fluid. Try replacing the fluid first I say.

[S800VXR]

wormus said:

sneakygloworm said:

However, my gears change nicely all the time except when spanked hard. Then it's hard to select a gear for a few seconds then okay again although clutch remains heavy for a while.

Mine did the exact same thing when it was slipping and boiling the fluid. New twin plate clutch not slipping but pedal still went a little mushy after full beans and this was fixed by replacing filthy fluid. Try replacing the fluid first I say.

Did you get a remote bleed line fitted whilst yours was with Mark Wormus?

[Global-i]

These people have just release a new master cylinder kit that might be worth a look, they also do a remote bleader kit.
You will obviously need to check it will fit a right hooker.

www.tick-performance.com/tickshift/parts/gto/hydraulics/

Edited by Global-i on Wednesday 9th September 13:24

[sneakygloworm]

S800VXR said:

Given the choice of having one of the specialist or VX work on your car I would suggest you get the specialist to do it. Monkfish will certainly bleed the clutch far more efficiantly than VX would! Yr symptons do suggest a good flush through will solve your problem....

Must admit I wish I had just gone to monkfish now! Would've been sorted by now. Vaux haven't got back to me but no news is not(in this case) good news. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt if they can do it but never again. Monkfish said about 45 mins for a clutch bleed i think. Then they could at least give me some info on the state of the clutch.

[sneakygloworm]

wormus said:

sneakygloworm said:

However, my gears change nicely all the time except when spanked hard. Then it's hard to select a gear for a few seconds then okay again although clutch remains heavy for a while.

Mine did the exact same thing when it was slipping and boiling the fluid. New twin plate clutch not slipping but pedal still went a little mushy after full beans and this was fixed by replacing filthy fluid. Try replacing the fluid first I say.

Yeah definately. Can't really afford a new clutch at the mo so even if clutch fluid is a temporary fix it will give me some breathing room.

[Boosted LS1]

Is there a reason why these cylinders can't be pressure bled with an Easi-bleed like most cars? I don't hear of problems with yank cars.

[MadMaxHSV]

I think the main issue is getting to the bleed nipple on the slave cylinder inside the bell-housing.

[anonymous-user]

S800VXR said:

Did you get a remote bleed line fitted whilst yours was with Mark Wormus?

Nope but he can and I have asked him to. He's fitting poly bushes at present.

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 9th September 18:44