Re: Can't bleed the clutch...Please Help.

[Michael Eck <meck@ptd.net>]

Justin,

I just had a similar problem on by 86 5KCSTQ. I replaced the brake
master cylinder and thought it was an appropriate time to flush the
clutch system's fluid as well.

I pressure bleed the clutch and thought it still had air in it after a
day of driving. I also noticed a puddle under the car where the
transmission is, also.

I pulled it in the garage and bleed it again. This time, no clutch at
all. I figure I accidently put too much pressure in the system and blew
the slave cylinder when I bleed it the first time and this time did it
in.

I got a replacement slave cylinder, installed it, and carefully bleed
it. Still, no clutch. As you did, I confirmed I was getting pressure
from the master cylinder, I was. Out of curiousity, I pulled the slave
cylinder back out, pushed in the rod a bit, and had my father slowly
push the clutch pedal with his hand. The rod pushed right out like it
was supposed to. I put it back in the transmission and it started
working. I'm not crazy about where the clutch is grabbing (too high in
the pedal travel), so I'll probably bleed it one more time and,
possibly, adjust the pedal. I suspect there might be a little pressure
in the system.

Moral of the story: The clutch system is strange.

Make sure you pressure bleed the clutch. I used about 5 psi. I've seen
other references to this amount of pressure on the list, so this must be
OK. If the slave cylinder is out of the transmission, you might be able
to gravity bleed it, but I'm not sure (anyone know?). It seems to me,
the system needs pressure bleed because all of the components sit so
close to the same height.

Hope something helps here.

Michael Eck
86 5KCSTQ
88 GTI 16V