Hello colleagues,

yesterday I ventured into replacing break booster, and while doing it I had to disconnect clutch line.

When I was done clutch was very soft, which was kinda logical as air probably entered into line. But! clutch was still working.

This morning I drove car out of garage and onto wheel stands and proceeded to bleed the clutch. Followed the manual as I thought - connected tube, put it into jar filled with break fluid, loosened nipple, few pedal pumps... that made the pedal totally free. like it pumps air.

Since then I tried everything - connected long tube and brought it together with jar next to reservoir to make sure gravity does not drain fluid while I am climbing under car and back. Pumped it until all air was out of tube, still no resistance in pedal.

I just can't make it work. Is it possible that I broke the pump by drying it up? Do I need to prime it somehow?

I used up bottle of break fluid doing it... now I am on my way to parts store to get another one... If you have any suggestions - please share. I would love to drive this car back into garage before day ends...


Thank you.

 

One way that was shown to me years ago was to NOT bleed it. Fill up the reservoir, leave off the cap, then slowly push in on the slave cylinder rod. Its like pumping it backwards. Air will go up to the master reservoir.

 

As I recall, you have to close the bleeder on the "up" stroke or it'll just suck the air back up the line.

You only open it on the "push" stroke, so unless you've got a helper doing either the bleeder/pedal, or a vacuum pump with a long long tube, it'll be pretty hard to bleed on your own!

Larry

 

Thanks for responses! I got it working before rain....

The trick for me was to unscrew those line connectors on top of pump and dampener while I was blowing air into that little hole on the top of the reservoir. I let air out and then screw them tight. whew...

Frankly, I have no idea why such a design where line and connectors are located higher then reservoir. There is just no way to get that air out by bleeding. May-be with a helper, but even then - if a lot of air goes in - good luck.
Pumping fluid from the bottom through the cylinder does not work either.

Thanks again!

 

I invested in a Mityvac tool, (no affil) not a bad idea for next time - plus it can do a lot more than just vacuum bleed, very versatile bit of kit ...

Mityvac Brake and Clutch Bleeding Equipment

I just bought the little hand operated one BTW

cheers

Larry

 

Nice kit.

I suppose with this kit I would be able to pump fluid into bleeder with enough force so that air from high pipes and connectors is pushed into reservoir. I was doing the same with a hand siphon pump and it was not fast enough to push air through.