Thread: Clutch will not bleed

New or used parts?

Sometimes with brakes I've loosened the nut on an outlet pipe at the master cylinder a little and used that to bleed some air out. Then you can also see that fluid is indeed coming out as well. That's worth a try to start tracing your problem.

In my experience, bleeding the clutch after replacing some part can be a real PITA. Cracking open the pipes slightly on the master cylinder like Davo described is worth a try, but I find this hasn't always helped in the past. If you do get some pedel, it should just bleed itself anyway. After spending forever trying to get some pedel just recently I just resorted to letting it bleed itself, usually just by pumping the clutch over and over again. Strangely it has worked well for me in the past and I know of others who recommend this. However, I am also keen to hear if there is a fool proof method of doing it properly so will be watching with interest.

As mentioned, let it self bleed. I tried for hours once and got no pedal at all. Gave up in frustration and left it for a couple of days. Came back and the pedal was perfect - nothing else required...

May have got lucky, but it worked for me.

I don't understand how this particular set-up could self bleed. The Pipe from the master cylinder goes up before it goes down. The fluid in the reservoir is higher so I guess it is possible.

So self bleed means fill reservoir and open the bleed valve slightly on the slave cylinder or fill it up and leave it all closed.

How does the air get out when self bleeding?

I closed the bleeder and walked away in frustration. Came back and all was good. It either self bled or the magic clutch bleeding fairies paid me a visit.

Thinking about it, the air would eventually rise back to the master cylinder on its own - I'm guessing that's how it happens.

If you can get even a little bit of pressure on the pedal. Then get in and kick the clutch pedal to the floor as fast as you can. Do this 5 or 6 times without stopping let it settle for a few about 10 seconds and you will get a good pedal. Sounds brutal but works every time!!

the only fool proof way I have found to bleed clutch's is to reverse bleed them using a good inline windscreen washer squirter motor
Bleed the air in the lines from the container to the motor and then the line to the clutch
hook onto the bleed screw then open up
turn motor on and have someone watch the reservoir until there is no air coming out at all
that can take up to 1L of fluid to achieve so you may need some method of draining the reservoir so it don't overflow (found oil sample pumps to be very good at this)
I ether use oil sampling hose that comes in packs or whatever fuel or vacuum hose that fits and is laying around doing nothing.

this is the only way I have found to successfully bleed a clutch every time if you do this and still have issues ether the slave is knackered or the master is

I like the sound of this approach.

Originally Posted by lyonsy

the only fool proof way I have found to bleed clutch's is to reverse bleed them using a good inline windscreen washer squirter motor
Bleed the air in the lines from the container to the motor and then the line to the clutch
hook onto the bleed screw then open up
turn motor on and have someone watch the reservoir until there is no air coming out at all
that can take up to 1L of fluid to achieve so you may need some method of draining the reservoir so it don't overflow (found oil sample pumps to be very good at this)
I ether use oil sampling hose that comes in packs or whatever fuel or vacuum hose that fits and is laying around doing nothing.

this is the only way I have found to successfully bleed a clutch every time if you do this and still have issues ether the slave is knackered or the master is