Clutch bleeding?

[Philcerbera]

Right I now have another problem with the cerbera, havent driven it since last year and got it up an running yesterday only to find I couldnt get it off the drive due to having no clutch. It was getting a bit hard to select gears before I parked it up for winter but it seems to have gone altogether now.

The fluid level was low so put some in but I want to bleed the system back up to see if that makes a difference. Cant see any leaks anywhere either.

But one every other car ive ever worked on they have a bleed nipple on the gear / cylinder but I cant find one on the cerbera anywhere. How do I go about bleeding it or is it a matter of other things are hiding what I need to get at?

[GreenV8S]

Isn't there a bleed point for the clutch in the engine bay? Seem to remember seeing a dead-ended hydraulic hose at the back which enabled you to bleed the clutch.

[Philcerbera]

Ah was just about to post this actually, ive been outside and while looking in the engine bay tracing the pipes noticed the pipe that screws onto the top of the engine bay.

It would certainly make my life easier if it was that one as ive been looking for ages underneath on the bellhousing.

[touching cloth]

Yep, little braided hose with a nut/valve thing on the end of it, near the windscreen and on the clutch reservoir side.

[Philcerbera]

Right just tried this and no air or fluid came out at all, and it was completely dry on the inside of the pipe. Also the fluid I filled up yesterday hasnt gone down at all.

Im guessing this isnt good news then, is it going to be the slave cylinder gone?

[cerdad]

I just had a new clutch and slave cylinder,as my slave went .Make sure when it is replaced you have an uprated one ,its 1k lighter as its made of ali not stainless steel.I have found the new clutch and release/slave is more prgressive,less like a switch.
Dont have the old one resealed,they can last 10 years or ten yards!!!.

[GreenV8S]

When you say 'no clutch' do you mean there's no drive, or it won't release? Does the pedal move? Does it feel any different to normal?

Pretty much every slave failure would eventually lead to fluid loss, the only one I can think of that wouldn't is a seized slave (which would probably stick in the 'released' position). I'd expect to be able to feel that at the pedal though.

If it's not taking any fluid and there's no resistance at the pedal I'd think either the master has failed or it needs bleeding. Note that it may be the master that needs bleeding.

[Philcerbera]

Well basically I cant select gears when the engine is running. TBH the clutch doesnt feel much different to what it did, there is some resistance there, it isnt just shooting to the floor.

Also just tried adjusting the pedal all the way out but thats nade no difference either.

How would I go about bleeding the master cylinder, just do the same with the line that goes into the bellhousing instead of the other one?

[GreenV8S]

Philcerbera said:

How would I go about bleeding the master cylinder, just do the same with the line that goes into the bellhousing instead of the other one?

You would need to look at the master cylinder and see where the highest point is. Sometimes the outlet is at the highest point in which case bleeding the slave will effectively bleed the master too. Sometimes there's a separate bleed nipple. Sometimes you just need to slacken off a union to let air out. Sometimes there's nothing and you have to dismount the master cylinder and turn it over to chase air out.

[jesfirth]

most likley problem is the slave. Often the leak is caught in the bell housing so you do not see a leak or fluid.

Just bleed the nipple on the flexi pipe that runs down to the bell housing - you need a helper. If it is the slave bleeding it will not last long