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Bleeding the clutch

Last post 10-08-2009, 7:13 PM by jimbot2000. 8 replies.
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  •  05-04-2008, 9:58 AM 14224

    Bleeding the clutch

    Need a little, make that a lot, of help. I've tried to bleed the clutch and have gotten nowhere. As a result, the children in the neighborhood have learned a whole new lexicon of four letter words.

    Tried using a large syringe and injecting the fluid up from the bleed screw, tried pumping clutch and bleeding. Pumped the clutch slowly, quickly, got no where.

    Do the clutch lines get old and clogged?

    Am I doing something wrong in the process? 

    I've read the previous posts and thought I was doing everything that was suggested.

    Should I start with replacing that clutch hose?

     

    Thank you 

  •  05-04-2008, 10:12 AM 14228 in reply to 14224

    Re: Bleeding the clutch

    Tem,

    Have you just replaced the clutch slave cylinder?


    Motorbill
    From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon
  •  05-04-2008, 8:13 PM 14241 in reply to 14224

    Re: Bleeding the clutch

    Been there, done that.

    What finally worked for me was the syringe trick, but from the reservoir, not the slave.

    I was lucky to find that the top of the break fluid bottle ALSO FIT THE RESERVOIR!

    I drilled a hole in the top, large enough for the syringe to fit in, and injected fluid, under pressure, though the line with the bleeder open.

    There may be other ways, but that worked for me after many previous attempts and verbal assaults on common decency.

    Good luck!


    On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

    '68 Sprite 1275
    '76 Midget 1500
  •  05-05-2008, 9:14 AM 14249 in reply to 14224

    Re: Bleeding the clutch

    hi i also showed all my neighbors my vast knowledge of  english while trying to bleed my clutch (for 3 days). i finally went to horbor freight and bought a vacume bleeder ($15) and hooked it to the bleed screw but every time i put vacume on it would leak when i opened the screw. i took out the screw and put on a few turns of teflon tape and tried again. the sun came out, birds sang and in 2 minutes my clutch system was air free. i could not believe how easy it was.
  •  09-26-2008, 11:49 AM 16442 in reply to 14224

    Re: Bleeding the clutch

    While I have yet to try it I have heard of an interesting one person REVERSE bleed procedure.  Begin with the clutch MC reservoir empty or nearly so.  Attach a line from the nearby front brake bleed screw to the clutch slave bleed screw.  Open both.  Now slowly pump the brake pedal which will force the air out ahead of the fluid from the brake system exiting thru the reservoir.  Make certain to periodically replenish the fluid in the brake MC.  Any experience with this technique?
  •  09-26-2008, 1:20 PM 16446 in reply to 16442

    Re: Bleeding the clutch

    It sounds like way too much trouble, like going around the world to get next door!

    I'll tell you that experience is the best teacher. I bought and tried the vacuum pump, but found that the syringe trick works the best. I bled my clutch (after rebuilding the MC), in only 5 minutes!

    Anyone want to buy a slightly used vacuum pump?


    On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

    '68 Sprite 1275
    '76 Midget 1500
  •  09-27-2008, 1:05 PM 16452 in reply to 16446

    Re: Bleeding the clutch

     

     

       I too had numerous unsuccessful attempts at bleeding my clutch.  Using a pump and the old fashion way of pumping the peddle.  I ran lots of fliud through the line with no air present, but still no working clutch.  I figured that it had to be air in the slave (new) as the master was also new.  I pulled it one more time, opened the bleeding screw slightly and pushed the plunger in with my finger. I found lots of air, tightened the screw before allowing the spring to push the plunger back out. after refitting the slave, I finally had a working clutch.


    Be yourself, everybody else is taken.
  •  09-28-2008, 6:46 AM 16457 in reply to 16452

    Re: Bleeding the clutch

    JeffWise,

    I don't know what kind of car you have, but on the Spidgets, there is an access hole in the body to get to the slave bleeder while it's in place. You must remove the left interior panel on the right side of the vehicle, then pull the rubber body plug. That's much easier than removing the slave. 

    Also, if you do remove the slave, make sure that the hose is never twisted, kinked or otherwise stressed in any way because it WILL fail.


    On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

    '68 Sprite 1275
    '76 Midget 1500
  •  10-08-2009, 7:13 PM 21348 in reply to 16457

    Re: Bleeding the clutch

    I can't believe how many times I've jacked this car up, I even went as far as removing the started to get to this screw, I never wondered why they put a hole there. I guess you learn something new everyday.