Bleeding clutch fluid

[griffter]

How exactly do you bleed the clutch?

I managed it yesterday, but I'm not quite sure how. Everytime I opened the bleed nipple (using a one way valve), the fluid slowly dripped out under gravity - then when I got in the car and pumped the clutch pedal, the fluid poured out, I presume because air could enter the system through the master cylinder.

In the end I think I did it by topping up the master cylinder, opening the bleed nipple, pumping the pedal twice, diving under the car to close the bleed nipple, then (with fluid still visible in the master cylinder) topping the master cylinder up.

I'd assumed it would be as simple as bleeding brakes - I was wrong!

Any ideas on the official procedure?

[shpub]

Do what you did with someone else to help with the bleed valve or use a one man bleeding kit .

Edited by shpub on Monday 30th April 12:57

[tvr4ever]

I never managed to do it on my own, i tried all sort of gadgets, nothing worked. I tried to bleed it with the help of my girlfriend at the pedal, this nearly resulted in us breaking up and still air in the system. I then took it to our local garage, they had a better result in their second try. The first try they dicovered that after three bleeds the master cilinder was empty, so more air being sucked into the system. It does seem to be "normal" that the master cilinder only lasts a very limited time, could this be because it's underpowered ?

The clutchsystem seems to have a mind of it's own (mine does), sometimes you can go through the gears with no problems whatsoever, the next day i can't get it into gear, weird.

[groomvroom]

griffter said:

How exactly do you bleed the clutch?

I managed it yesterday, but I'm not quite sure how. Everytime I opened the bleed nipple (using a one way valve), the fluid slowly dripped out under gravity - then when I got in the car and pumped the clutch pedal, the fluid poured out, I presume because air could enter the system through the master cylinder.

In the end I think I did it by topping up the master cylinder, opening the bleed nipple, pumping the pedal twice, diving under the car to close the bleed nipple, then (with fluid still visible in the master cylinder) topping the master cylinder up.

I'd assumed it would be as simple as bleeding brakes - I was wrong!

Any ideas on the official procedure?

Very easy to do on your own with a Gunsons Easy Bleed kit as it pushes the fluid through under pressure and tops up the cylinder at the same time, about a tenner from most factors/halfords

[pupp]

Assuming the slave cylinder is fitted the 'right way' up (ie with the bleed nipple above the port), it should just gravity bleed when the nipple is open.... may need a couple of deflections of the pedal through its stroke, or maybe just hold the pedal at half mast for a minute and give the slave/master a few taps to dislodge any bubbles if its really airlocked. I've never had to use Easybleeds on the clutch.

[david beer]

Must say i tried to bleed mine, no good even after many "tell me when your down, tell me when you are up" calls, will try the gravity way.

[griffter]

david beer said:

Must say i tried to bleed mine, no good even after many "tell me when your down, tell me when you are up" calls, will try the gravity way.

As far as I could work out, the trick is to close the nipple before the master cylinder is empty - to avoid any air getting in. The level will drop under gravity particularly with the pedal depressed so you need to be quick. Two pumps was enough to nearly empty the master cylinder, so do two pumps at a time, topping up the fluid every two pumps until you're happy the fluid is all changed. I used a one way valve on the nipple to stop air being sucked back in the system. I'm only assuming success because the clutch 'feels normal' - I haven't tried it yet. It's a lot better than the floppy pedal I had after the first three or four goes. Make sure you've got at least a litre of fresh fluid to hand as there could be a lot of wastage!

I wonder if an alternative is the way it's done on bikes - by pushing fluid up through the system with a syringe?

Thanks to you other guys for your views.

[spend]

Think that the main advantage of the eazi-bleeds is they have the remote reservoir. Pain to get the seal...

Dave

[Griffsmith]

You've got me worried now, I must have done something wrong cos I thought it was easy

I just used a one way valve, and pumped the pedal, without any problems, yeah you need to keep the master topped up (thats normal for all bleedin jobs ) but worked a treat. as soon as there was clean fluid without bubbles in the tube I stopped and tightened the nipple, and all was fine. this was after I changed the master. I had booked a mate to come and help but he got 'stuck in a pub' and stood me up

[Seasider]

Griffsmith said:

You've got me worried now, I must have done something wrong cos I thought it was easy

I just used a one way valve, and pumped the pedal, without any problems, yeah you need to keep the master topped up (thats normal for all bleedin jobs ) but worked a treat. as soon as there was clean fluid without bubbles in the tube I stopped and tightened the nipple, and all was fine. this was after I changed the master. I had booked a mate to come and help but he got 'stuck in a pub' and stood me up

Done it twice now, once with Mrs S help & once with a bleed tube

Didnlt even have any problems the first time apart from the moaning

[spend]

Seasider said:

Didnlt even have any problems the first time apart from the moaning

She must have a lot to put up with (moaning that is)!

[Seasider]

spend said:

Seasider said:

Didnlt even have any problems the first time apart from the moaning

She must have a lot to put up with (moaning that is)!

Very good Spendy boy If you'd met Mrs S you would realise how un mechanical she is

[spend]

Seasider said:

If you'd met Mrs S you would realise how un mechanical she is

Nothing wrong with BeachBabes Matey

Dave

[barreti]

Seasider said:

If you'd met Mrs S you would realise how un mechanical she is

A more unlikely bird-in-dungarees-covered-in-oil lady if ever I've met one

[spend]

barreti said:

Seasider said:

If you'd met Mrs S you would realise how un mechanical she is

A more unlikely bird-in-dungarees-covered-in-oil lady if ever I've met one

I reckon all this contemplation of nuts & studs has got your mojo up Ian

[Seasider]

spend said:

barreti said:

Seasider said:

If you'd met Mrs S you would realise how un mechanical she is

A more unlikely bird-in-dungarees-covered-in-oil lady if ever I've met one

I reckon all this contemplation of nuts & studs has got your mojo up Ian

Sorry Spendy, Ian is spot on

[griffter]

Griffsmith said:

You've got me worried now, I must have done something wrong cos I thought it was easy

I just used a one way valve, and pumped the pedal, without any problems, yeah you need to keep the master topped up (thats normal for all bleedin jobs ) but worked a treat. as soon as there was clean fluid without bubbles in the tube I stopped and tightened the nipple, and all was fine. this was after I changed the master. I had booked a mate to come and help but he got 'stuck in a pub' and stood me up

I think it's probably easy if you get it right first time - but I'd emptied the system after three pumps and after that the fluid just seemed to pour through, until I only undid the nipple a 1/8 turn and tried again using two pumps a time.

The car's nose in to the garage, and I always select first, with the clutch held down, before reverse - so I'm a bit worried if I've got it wrong that when I start it up next week I'll end up going into the kitchen...