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Hello everyone, I need help bleeding the clutch. I'm not sure if I'm doing it wrong or simply I need to replace the master clutch.
I have a Honda Civic EX 97 manual 1.6.
I was driving back home and suddenly was hard to shift into gears. I inspected the brake fluid and it was dark. Tried to flush it but kept being dark. So I took off the slave cylinder and it was busted so I replaced it. The master cylinder seemed to be fine, no signs of leaking.
Now I've been trying to bleed the system using this technique where you use a clear hose sumerged into a bottle filled to half on used brake fluid. Got a friend to help me so when he pulled the clutch I would open the bleeder and close it before it reached the floor. Always checking the reservoir level.
This several times and it got a bit stiff but still spongy. I believe I can't get rid of an air bubble. If it's not that then my master cylinder could be the problem too I assume.
I would like you guys to tell me what's the method you use and works best for you?
Thank you!
The best method I found is 2 person (which you have) and you run the slave nipple to an empty bottle. Open the nipple, have friend push clutch pedal to the floor. Close nipple, lift clutch pedal back up. Check reservoir (fill if needed). Open nipple, push clutch pedal to floor. Close nipple, lift clutch pedal up and then check reservoir. Wash rinse, repeat.
You do this until you get no air out of the slave. The pedal usually feels normal at this point. Can take 5 or 6 times and 4-6 refills of the tiny reservoir. You also have to be sure the reservoir NEVER goes dry in the process as it will pull in air and defeat the purpose.
The best method I found is 2 person (which you have) and you run the slave nipple to an empty bottle. Open the nipple, have friend push clutch pedal to the floor. Close nipple, lift clutch pedal back up. Check reservoir (fill if needed). Open nipple, push clutch pedal to floor. Close nipple, lift clutch pedal up and then check reservoir. Wash rinse, repeat.
You do this until you get no air out of the slave. The pedal usually feels normal at this point. Can take 5 or 6 times and 4-6 refills of the tiny reservoir. You also have to be sure the reservoir NEVER goes dry in the process as it will pull in air and defeat the purpose.
Just to clarify here, person #1 should press and hold the clutch pedal to the floor... person #2 would then open the bleeder screw to allow fluid and air out. The KEY here is that the bleeder screw MUST be closed before person #1 releases the clutch pedal from the floor, otherwise, air will be drawn back into the clutch line from the slave cylinder end. Simply, press and hold clutch pedal on floor, open bleeder, close, release pedal. Repeat until pedal is firm and the clutch release arm moves effectively.
Originally Posted by aw614
I've had success using an air compressor vacuum bleeder.
I like this method. I use a vacuum pump to PULL clutch fluid through the hydraulic system fully.
Just to clarify here, person #1 should press and hold the clutch pedal to the floor... person #2 would then open the bleeder screw to allow fluid and air out. The KEY here is that the bleeder screw MUST be closed before person #1 releases the clutch pedal from the floor, otherwise, air will be drawn back into the clutch line from the slave cylinder end. Simply, press and hold clutch pedal on floor, open bleeder, close, release pedal. Repeat until pedal is firm and the clutch release arm moves effectively.
I like this method. I use a vacuum pump to PULL clutch fluid through the hydraulic system fully.
Thank you for your advice. I've been doing it just like you are saying. And it's been two bottles of brake fluid and still can't get all the air out. Vacuum pump it's very expensive, I would only use it a couple of times, so not worth it.
I had to unbolt the slave cylinder with half of the line to be able to lift it up a little bit, with the bleeding valve pointing upwards I could get a huge air bubble out that was trapped inside.
Hope this is helpful for anyone struggling like I was.
Clutch bleeding best way technique
