Ok I filled the reservoir and pump the clutch pedal to get most of the air out. I thought I would gravity bleed it and run some fluid through it and nothing coming out. I then tried to hook up my mityvac to pressure bleed the system from the bleed valve and it will not let any fluid in. Valve is clean. I had to quit for today but any thoughts?. I will take the line off and make sure its clear.

 

I've done it lots of different ways, and the easiest is with a mighty vac or some other pumping device.

Take the cap off the reservoir, unbolt the slave and let it hang, orient the slave so the incoming line is the highest point, depending on what year slave you have you might have to use zip ties or tape to get the slave rest in a position where the line is on the high side, then remove the bleed valve entirely and put some teflon tape on the threads, then reinstall the bleed valve.

Next, attach your mighty vac pump line to the bleed screw and pressurize the mighty vac. Now crack the bleed screw. The mighty vac should have more than enough juice to push the fluid into the slave. Slowly pump the mighty vac until the reservoir up top is about 1/2 full. When you reinstall the slave you'll compress it some and the fluid level in the reservoir will rise a bit, so be careful not to let it over flow.

If you are opening the bleed valve and nothing is happening, you might have a clogged line or a problem with the master cylinder. What master are you using?

 

Thanks I have a 96 setup. Does the slave have to come out to pressure bleed it? I know the manual tells you to pull it but I thought that is for when you are going to bleed the system via the pedal?

 

No, the slave does not have to come out, but that is the best way to do it. If you picture an air bubble in the slave, the bubble will be at the highest point. If the path outward and upward is not accessible to the bubble, you can bleed all day and it won't come out of there. Unbolting the slave is only 2 nuts and can probably be done in less than 60 seconds.

If you pulled the slave out and press the pedal, you'll shoot the plunger across the room. I've done it, and you can put the slave back together, but the best thing to do is unbolt the slave and reverse bleed it by pushing fluid through bleed hole into the system.

Good luck!

 

I also had to unbolt mine, open the bleeder, and pulled a vacuum on it to pull the fluid through. Like the others said, make sure the bleed screw it the highest point of the slave cylinder. Only way to get the air out.

 

BTW, are you sure your master is good?

 

I bled it and bled it, then when I was starting to get pissed off, I removed the slave and compressed it by hand. This is the only surefire way to get the air up into the master cylinder without a pressure bleeder.


I prefer to bleed the system with it removed from the bellhousing, so it extends fully. If you're bleeding against the pressure plate moving, you'll have no clue when you're done.

 

actually, I compressed it... I was under the car, bastet44 was filling the reservour with fuild, and CC was pumping the pedal. Had that sucker done in a matter of minutes.

 

No, that was the 4-speed. Easy as pie compared to the ZF6. Hell I didn't even get my hands dirty on it.

 

ah, ok... subtle differences.

 

with Central, remove the slave then pump the rod by hand and tilt the back of the slave upward, works every time!

 

Pressure bleed:

Fill master cyl 3/4 full.
Pressurize the MC to about 3psi.
Crack the SC bleed valve until fluid stops running out.
Close bleed valve.

Repeat until no air bubbles come out with the fluid.
Fill MC.
Drive.

PS I've never been happy using a vacuum bleed on the clutch or the brakes. Ever.

Actually, the easiest way is with a helper and doing it manually.


Larry
code5coupe

 

Thanks I will try the hand method and reverse bleeding. I do not have a pressure bleeder

 

LD if we pump it by hand then the end of the slave with the bleeder valve should be on the low side so the air rises. It that what you meant?

 

Yes tilt the fitting end so it is up. Then push on the rod with a rag on your palm.

Then before you let out, have someone pour some fluid in the master, then let the rod back out.

Then push back in on the rod a few times and have someone look for bubbles.

 

Well I pressure bled it and gravity bled it, put it up on jacks, cranked her up and went through the gears. It looks like it good to go. Thanks for your responses.

 

Cool, you can back it up hill and pump the pedal a bunch of times too.

 

I too had air issues with my 92 slave , jacked up the rear of the car so the front of the slave was pointing down , bleeder was then higher , gravity bled for a while , no problems , and no helper's telling you what your doing wrong!

Desert

 

I just replaced the slave on a 91 becuase I lost clutch pressure, I bleed it via all the proceedures list here, I get clean fluid through the bleed valve but still cant any any signifigant pressure on the clutch, still has almost no effort, could this be a master cylinder problem instead of slave cylinder?