Clutch Pressure Bleeding
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Joined: Apr 2010
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Clutch Pressure Bleeding
Has anyone use a pressure bleeder (like what you use on your brakes) to bleed the clutch on your Corvette? I have a Motive Products pressure bleeder that works great on the brakes, and would like to use on the clutch. However, in the service manual, it never mentions using a pressure bleeder. It states to do it the old fashion way, with one person depressing the clutch pedal, and another releasing the air/fluid from the system. Any thoughts?
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 42
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From: Moose Jaw Saskatchewan
I just had to bleed my clutch yesterday, and i will tell you right now, it is not a fun job.. Especially if you have long tube headers. You can use the pressure bleeder, it will work, but the biggest pain in doing the bleed is getting at the bleed screw. Remove mid pipe, remove center plate held on by 36 bolts, and then the bleed screw is up on the top theres a really good how to right here http://97vette.com/howto/clutchbleed/index.html
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Joined: Apr 2010
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Thanks for the response. I saw where the procedure looks very time lengthy. I guess GM thought you would never have to do this. I wonder why, in the SM, they don't recommend using the pressure bleeder? Then, you don't need the "assistant".
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
From: Moose Jaw Saskatchewan
yeah, you will also want to bleed it until you have clear fluid coming out of the bleeder, mine when i did it was absolutely black and gross. kind of glad i actually did have to bleed it. This was also probably the cause of my "sticky clutch pedal" after my 1/4 mile passes. hope it fixes it all!
Cheers.
Cheers.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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I wanted to get back to every one who made recommendations on bleeding the clutch. I contacted BrakeMotive (the manufacturer of the bleeder I have--Great product for anybody who works on their own car; cost about $90) to see if they have a cap for the clutch reservoir. No luck. So I made my own. It took me about one quart of new fluid running through it before the fluid finally turned clean. (Can you imagine how long it would take you to run a quart of fluid through the system if you were doing this one "pump" at a time as recommended by the SM.) If anyone is interested in getting a reservoir cap made by a "professional", that you can use with the pressure bleeder, I can get some made at a fair price. Thanks again for all your help.
