Clutch issue

[Wargasm]

This seems fairly common on the forums, my clutch doesn't have pressure in it anymore. The general consensus is to bleed the slave cylinder to get any air out, but I don't know where it is! How do I locate my master/slave cylinder to find the bleeder valve?

[five&dime]

Master cylinder is under your hood access door and should have a bleeder nipple on it. The clutch master cylinder should be the smallest one closer to the passenger side. Slave cylinder is under the car on the passenger side bolted to the trans and should also have a bleeder nipple.

It should look sort of like this

http://mustyoldparts.com/catalog/zen-cart-v1.3.8a-full-fileset-12112007/images/31470%2012092.jpg

Edited May 22, 2009 by five&dime

[Wargasm]

Ok cool. So I can open the bleeder valve, and hit the clutch to expel fluid/air right? Do I have to have someone filling the reservoir while I do this, or is there another way? I don't have access to a lot of help right now.

[five&dime]

You can get self bleeders online. Otherwise you have to have someone in the car. You run a piece of clear tubing over the bleeder nipple running to some sort of catch container. Then loosen the nut. The person in the car presses down on the pedal to release the air while the nut is loose. When the person has the pedal to the floor, tighten the nut and then have them release the pedal. Continue to do so until only fluid comes out the tube. Make sure they don't let go of the pedal while you have the nut loose for you will suck air in the line.

I believe you could also do the same by yourself only you need a long piece of tubing that can go into a container of the hydraulic fluid for the clutch. You need to have enough fluid in there so that the line goes deep enough to prevent sucking air.

Much easier with a helper though.

I don't know if you have to do this at the master and the slave though.

Edited May 22, 2009 by five&dime

[Wargasm]

Oh, you mean a hose that I could loop straight back into the reservoir? So when it bleeds out it just replenishes itself? So that way, I loosen the nut, pump the clutch, the air goes into the reservoir, bubbles up and escapes through the place where you actually fill your transmission fluid? That way there wouldn't be any air in the line between the reservoir, and where ever it all ends up? Sorry if that reads poorly, trying to work this out in my head. Well that makes sense, I just gotta get some clear hose now.

[doradox]

Ok cool. So I can open the bleeder valve, and hit the clutch to expel fluid/air right? Do I have to have someone filling the reservoir while I do this, or is there another way? I don't have access to a lot of help right now.

Most of the time you can just open the bleeder on the slave and gravity will pull the fluid out. Just keep the reservoir full. '

Steve

[Wargasm]

Nice. that sounds a lot easier...

[doradox]

Nice. that sounds a lot easier...

If you have a lot of air trapped in the master sometimes gravity bleeding won't work well. But it's easy to try first before moving on to more complex methods.

Steve

[Wargasm]

Hmmm...It apparently looks a lot different when inside of the car...I have to track it down still.

[five&dime]

No I meant going into a cup or some other container. And yeah. Don't forget to keep adding fluid to the master cylinder.

BTW, you don't use trans fluid. The clutch hydraulic system is not tied into the transmission. Transmission fluid is added under the car through the transmission itself.

[Wargasm]

Oh...Oops. Well, good news is, air bubbles were coming out as I drained the slave. Bad news; I didn't realize that you filled the master cylinder, which drained to the slave. I was filling the tranny, haha! Ok so what kind of fluid do I put in the master? It's not the same gear oil I'm using for the transmission I'd assume. I think the line is empty now. Which is...A bad thing, isn't it?

Edited May 22, 2009 by Wargasm

[five&dime]

I think it's best that you try and find someone local to help Better to be patient or pay a little extra rather then damage something critical. Have them show you how to do the basics and then work your way up.

One of my friends tried to change the oil in his G35 and instead drained the auto trans. Then filled the engine with 6 more quarts of oil on top of the oil already in there!!!

He blew oil out under the hood all over and was wondering why his trans was making funny noises

Edited May 22, 2009 by five&dime