Strange Clutch Bleeding...

[.Mark]

...Or bleeding strange clutch.

Some might remember my post a week or so ago about the clutch behaving odd after a run. I'd put the pedal down but the clutch didn't fully disengage. Anyway, I put the car in the garage while I got round to buying some fluid and an easy bleed kit and just went out to do the job.
Checked the pedal first and it was as floppy as a - well, a floppy thing - so topped up the reservoir (which was very low) opened the bleed nipple and began pumping (stop sniggering at the back).

The pedal started to feel better but oddly, no fluid at all came out the nipple and almost none went from the reservoir, I tightened the nipple, put the cap on the reservoir and the clutch works normally.

Now it's been a while since I did my apprenticeship but this doesn't stack up - air in there means it won't compress and won't work properly, but it does. Admittedly not done a run yet and will do but any ideas chaps?

[FarmyardPants]

Are you sure you opened the nipple fully? The action of pumping the pedal increases the pressure which can force some air to become dissolved in the fluid - the level in the reservoir goes down a bit and pedal feels better. Over time the gas will come out of solution and form bubbles again and your squidgy pedal will return. I would check your bleed nipple and try again.

[.Mark]

Well they only need a half turn or so usually, it was more than that. But will take on board what you said and try again, suppose it could be blocked too.

[Mad Mark]

It's always a good idea to place the pipe in some liquid so you can see if air does come out as you will see the bubbles

[JensenA]

Eazi-Bleeds don't need the pedal to be pumped so if no fluid is coming out of the bleed nipple, and no fluid is going into the clutch reservoir then it ain't working. You are using the Clutch reservoir I hope, and not the brake fluid one?

[Mr Cerbera]

Oooh this takes me back.....

After replacing my seals last year I had several, weird things happen whilst bleeding which defied the laws of physics.

First problem was that the Eazy-bleed leaked into the footwell and drowned the carpets.

After several helpful posts by PH-ers I ended up re-routing the bleed cable under the engine and sunmerged it in an oil-filled cup.
Once pressure was up I returned the bleed pipe to its original postion for the finul couple of pumps.

Still don't understand the logic but haven't had any losses or re-pumps in the year since.

HTH

[.Mark]

JensenA said:

Eazi-Bleeds don't need the pedal to be pumped so if no fluid is coming out of the bleed nipple, and no fluid is going into the clutch reservoir then it ain't working. You are using the Clutch reservoir I hope, and not the brake fluid one?

I say Easy Bleed, it's a cheap jobbie from Halfords, just a one way valve on a tube with a collector on the end.

I am using the clutch reservoir yes, under the blanking plate on the inner wing, and using the bleed nipple on the braided hose that come up from behind the engine. I'm sure that's the right one?

[JensenA]

You got the right reservoir .mark .

As it's not an Eazi-bleed, this needs to be a 2 man job using the 'traditional' method, if you're not sure how to, then ask.

[.Mark]

JensenA said:

You got the right reservoir .mark .

As it's not an Eazi-bleed, this needs to be a 2 man job using the 'traditional' method, if you're not sure how to, then ask.

Nope absolutely know how. The cheapo Halfrauds kit I got does allow for a one man bleed. Will check the nipple is not blocked later.

Cheers for the help

[Mad Mark]

Don't forget to place the bleed pipe into some fluid so you can see if any air escapes.

[.Mark]

Mad Mark said:

Don't forget to place the bleed pipe into some fluid so you can see if any air escapes.

[Mad Mark]

Mr Cerbera said:

First problem was that the Eazy-bleed leaked into the footwell and drowned the carpets.
HTH

Paul was the Eazy-bleed kit that you were using the one with the bottle that screws to the reservoir or was it the one way valve attachment that fixes to the nipple?
I believe both types are made by eazy-bleed.

[Mr Cerbera]

Mad Mark said:

Mr Cerbera said:

First problem was that the Eazy-bleed leaked into the footwell and drowned the carpets.
HTH

Paul was the Eazy-bleed kit that you were using the one with the bottle that screws to the reservoir or was it the one way valve attachment that fixes to the nipple?
I believe both types are made by eazy-bleed.

Hi Mark,

It was the former, with a cap which screws to the Master cylinder, a transfer pipe to a seperate bottle and is force-bled by tyre air pressure.

Everything was superb apart from the fact that there was no seal at the Master Cylinder end even though the kit came with several Master Cylinder Cap types.

Found that nothin' works better than havin' a mate on the pedal - just costs me so much to hire-a-mate for the weekend

[Mad Mark]

Mr Cerbera said:

Hi Mark,

It was the former, with a cap which screws to the Master cylinder, a transfer pipe to a seperate bottle and is force-bled by tyre air pressure.

Everything was superb apart from the fact that there was no seal at the Master Cylinder end even though the kit came with several Master Cylinder Cap types.

Found that nothin' works better than havin' a mate on the pedal - just costs me so much to hire-a-mate for the weekend

yeah thats what I got. I had trouble getting a seal too I think I used a large pair of plier type things and managed to get a couple of extra turns out of it and its been fine since.
That would be where you got the clutch fluid in the footwell from.
I have modified mine so it works from a foot-pump it's more controllable (and safer) that way rather than using tyre pressure.

[.Mark]

Sorted, went and had another go in the full daylight, got lots of black fluid out and lots of nice fluid in. Obligatory test drive confirms that:
1. Clutch is no superb
2. Cerbera's are fking fast

Cheers all for the tips.