Clutch bleeding question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 1
From: Union KY
Clutch bleeding question
I've noticed that my hydralic clutch fluid is getting pretty dark. I've also been told that dirty fluid can slow the release of the clutch slave cylinder ... ergo, I need to change it.
The Problem with doing so is the positioning of the bleeder valve and my headers which make getting to it nearly impossible ... unless you have an arm the size of a ten year old's with two wrists with the arm strength of a thirty year old!
So here's the question... If I empty the resevoir with a syringe and refill it and then drive it for a week, and do the same thing again, (and again), will I ever get the fluid that's in the line - and in the slave cylinder to "recycle back into the resevoir - thereby allowing it's eventual change over?
Or am I doomed to bleed the system? Thanks.
Cire
The Problem with doing so is the positioning of the bleeder valve and my headers which make getting to it nearly impossible ... unless you have an arm the size of a ten year old's with two wrists with the arm strength of a thirty year old!
So here's the question... If I empty the resevoir with a syringe and refill it and then drive it for a week, and do the same thing again, (and again), will I ever get the fluid that's in the line - and in the slave cylinder to "recycle back into the resevoir - thereby allowing it's eventual change over?
Or am I doomed to bleed the system? Thanks.
Cire
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 58,783
Likes: 1
From: D*ck ina Box
CI III & IV Vote Ho
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Re: Clutch bleeding question (cire96)
That's a stop gap fix for sure, but will get you by for a while, eventually you need to do a proper bleed. But check out the bleeder extension now being offered from LAPD, I have one now and will be installing it later this week :cheers:
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 448
Likes: 1
From: Naples Fl
Re: Clutch bleeding question (cire96)
I did what you are thinking of doing. I extracted the nasty black fluid with a syringe. I refilled with clean fluid and almost immediately a little sprial of black fluid came up from the hole in the bottom of the resevior. It turned completly dark again overnite without even useing the clutch. I replaced it four or five times since then and each time it took a little longer to turn dark. I didnt have to wait a week each time. Just did it every nite. Now I check it once a week and if it looks tinted i change it. It only takes a few minutes and its capacity cant be more than 4 oz. I am thinking it may be a good thing to make it a monthly thing just to keep it from ever going dark again.. I always thought it turned black due to the internal rubber parts wearing out and wonder if they may be worn to the point that even tho the clutch hydralics funtion, it may be worn enuf to be bypassing some of the fluid, thereby causing some of the problems we have shifting. Anybody?
