My clutch has been slipping even tho a new clutch/pressure plate/release bearing has been installed so i decided to bleed the clutch lines just in case.

So the method i used was:
1) open bleeder valve
2) push clutch pedal down (pushes fluid out)
3) tighten bleeder valve
4) pull clutch pedal back up
5) repeat

now what i noticed was that when i pulled the pedal back up (step 4) i'd only have to pull it part of the way (maybe halfway or so) and it would come up the rest of the way by itself. I heard that this may be a sign that air is getting in to the lines somewhere (maybe clutch master cylinder leak?).

I'd like to confirm this, any help would be appreicated. oh, and could the resevoir be a possible leak? because that's the only place i can think of that would let air and yet no air would come out of the bleeder valve during bleeding.

Thanks again


Modified by ichiban_719 at 6:00 PM 11/29/2005

 

The pressure plate is what really makes the pedal spring up when it's working normally. When you're bleeding, you don't have that force, so it's only the little over-center helper spring that you have. That's why you have to pull up the pedal, this is normal.

But when you pull up the pedal, keep it under control. Don't let it snap quickly upwards. If you let it snap, it's more likely to suck air in thru the shaft seal in the master cylinder.

Try this way...
1 - Pump clutch up & down a couple strokes, then hold it down.
2 - Open bleeder, but close it immediately when fluid STOPS flowing.
3 - Pull pedal up, but under control.
4 - repeat...
Don't waste too much time between repeats. While you wait, the air bubbles move upwards, back towards the master cylinder.