Clutch bleeder installed; now what?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 239
From: Missi'ppi... no mo' MO for me!!
Clutch bleeder installed; now what?
I'm an idiot; I drive'm, I dunno how they work...
When I had my clutch replaced about 10,000 miles ago, I had a clutch bleeder line capped with a SpeedBleeder fitting installed at the same time. DUH. How do I use it? With the Ranger method I know that I'm supposed to siphon out the old fluid and replace it, then pump the clutch pedal ~30 times and inspect/replace the fluid until it's clean. (I know that I shouldn't let the reservoir run dry.)
How much fluid does the "clutch housing" itself actually hold? I loosened the SpeedBleeder ~1/4 turn, kept the reservoir topped off, and pumped the clutch pedal continuously (mindful of the reservoir level) until it looked like clean fluid flowed out. But the amount of fluid I replaced doesn't seem like much.
Secondly, is that actually how I should use the clutch bleeder-- can I just pump fluid out continuously while keeping the reservoir topped off and am I finished, or do I have to tighten the SpeedBleeder cap and then pump 30 times to circulate the fluid and then purge again?
Thank you.
When I had my clutch replaced about 10,000 miles ago, I had a clutch bleeder line capped with a SpeedBleeder fitting installed at the same time. DUH. How do I use it? With the Ranger method I know that I'm supposed to siphon out the old fluid and replace it, then pump the clutch pedal ~30 times and inspect/replace the fluid until it's clean. (I know that I shouldn't let the reservoir run dry.)
How much fluid does the "clutch housing" itself actually hold? I loosened the SpeedBleeder ~1/4 turn, kept the reservoir topped off, and pumped the clutch pedal continuously (mindful of the reservoir level) until it looked like clean fluid flowed out. But the amount of fluid I replaced doesn't seem like much.
Secondly, is that actually how I should use the clutch bleeder-- can I just pump fluid out continuously while keeping the reservoir topped off and am I finished, or do I have to tighten the SpeedBleeder cap and then pump 30 times to circulate the fluid and then purge again?
Thank you.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Just like bleeding brakes.. Man the bleeder zerk. Open the bleeder zerk valve, Have someone DEPRESS the clutch and hold it down. Watch the stream of old fluid exit the bleeder. When it stops, Tighten the bleeder. Have the person release the clutch. Rinse and repeat until:
1, The fluid is fresh
2. NO air bubbles escape during the bleed.
Top off the master and install the cap with rubber bladder depressed into the cap.
There is not very much volume in the entire clutch hydraulic system It wont take much new fluid to fully bleed the system.
If you have a type of bleeder zerk that seals its self during the release of the peddle, then its a one man job. Just don't let the master cyl go dry during you procedure.
1, The fluid is fresh
2. NO air bubbles escape during the bleed.
Top off the master and install the cap with rubber bladder depressed into the cap.
There is not very much volume in the entire clutch hydraulic system It wont take much new fluid to fully bleed the system.
If you have a type of bleeder zerk that seals its self during the release of the peddle, then its a one man job. Just don't let the master cyl go dry during you procedure.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 239
From: Missi'ppi... no mo' MO for me!!
Thanks very much, Bill !
ps. "SpeedBleeder" is the brand name of a manufacturer that makes self-sealing zerk fittings.
ps. "SpeedBleeder" is the brand name of a manufacturer that makes self-sealing zerk fittings.
Last edited by dork; May 30, 2019 at 11:31 AM.
