Ok first I want to apologize for this might sound like a rant and a rather long read. I have bled the system about 10 times now and am getting slightly annoyed. I have read about the different kinds of bleeds, searched most of the threads on here and Billman's gravity method too.

Ok so some background,

My clutch started going soft/squeaking last winter. I decided it would be prudent to replace both the master & slave so I don't have to worry about something being faulty in the system. I installed them both and I knew there would be a ton of air so I had to bleed the system. Now I had read a few different methods to do this so I tried them all.

1. First tried just a regular bleed with the rear end jacked up. Since I was doing this alone I had to do it about 15 times. SO add fluid, go under, crack the bleeder and watch bubbles come out. Right away though I started noticing something problematic. There were A LOT of bubbles coming out, which is good, but after about 20 or so cycles there were still a lot of bubbles coming out. THe pedal did not get any stiffer.

2. NExt I thought I would try the gravity bleed, maybe I had a big air bubble lodged in the slave, who knows??? I did about 20 cycles again, and again the same thing was happening. Everytime I would crack the bleeder a ton of bubbles would come out, even after 20 cycles. Again, the pedal did not get any stiffer. I started the car, and it was nearly impossible to get it into gear. Even when I forced it in, a millimeter out in the clutch would start a very rough engaging noise. The clutch release was not controlled at all.

3. So at this point I though maybe a pedal bleed would be a good idea. I also raised the rear end of the car really high to ensure that the bleeder screw is higher than the body of the slave. This time though I figured I would employ mom to make things easier and so I can watch WTF is going on down there. We did a few cycles of pedal bleeding and again I noticed something weird. After pumping the pedal, I noticed some brake fluid around the thread of the screw leaking out. Is this supposed to happen??? I cracked that bolt VERY SLIGHTLY, its not like it was fully open. And then came the shittiest part. I closed the bleeder, the pedal felt rock solid, but when I pushed the pedal in I noticed the a bunch of liquid/bubbles being pushed through the bleeding hose. The pedal also started getting soft after about 20 or so pumps with the system closed. Ummmm I thought that once the bleeder is closed pushing the clutch pedal should not push air through the bleed hose??? So now I reached a conclusion that maybe the slave is leaking at the bleeder screw. Is this plausible??? This is a brand new slave, I still have the old one and am thinking of swapping back, but I never thought that a brand new part would be faulty.

4. Also the engagement on the clutch currently is almost at the floor, and it is very rough. You just hear some thrashing while releasing the pedal, I figure this is from air in the system not allowing me a smooth release.

5. The master cylinder seems to be 100%, no leaks near the piston or around the hose line. The lines down to the slave also appear to be in good shape, so it just has to be the slave.

Now I am starting to even doubt that...maybe my clutch is just f@#ked. Thought I clearly remember the engagement was perfect before the leak formed last winter so I seriously doubt that. Sorry about the long write up guys, I am just REALLY frustrated, and am a thread away from towing this thing to the dealer, though I know they will tell me what I already know. Anyone near Calgary, Alberta, Canada that can lend a helping hand will be compensated.

Thank you so much in advance!!!

 

It is full of air, gravity bleed it. Unbolt it.

As far as your leak, no air or fluid should be seen withe the bleeder closed. sounds like you need to tighten the bleeder a little more.

 

Also sounds like the lines are not securely connected, and sucking in air.

 

Thanks for the reply Bill,

The last time I tried tightening the bleeder bolt I made sure its tight, like real tight. So I guess the bolt might be leaking still. I'll try the old bolt from my old slave. Can the threads on the slave itself strip and start leaking???

As far as the lines, I checked them all and all of them were secure. The only one I am having doubts about is the rubber one that connects to the slave cylinder. As far as I remember you put washers on both sides then the bolt through it. Right?

Thanks again.

 

You also don't say how you bleed it. I mean, it seems like you may be pumping the clutch pedal while the bleeder is open or something like in #1 or #3 with mom. It's hard to tell by how you wrote it

 

Sorry about the confusion.

#1 I just opened the screw and let it do its thing. That definately didn' work.

#2 Gravity bleed as per Billman, no pushing the pedal. Seemed like air was coming in the system from somewhere, cause the bubbles never ended after 20 cycles. Pedal was still soft.

#3 Pedal bleed, open bleeder, pump pedal. The problem here is that after I pumped the pedal a bunch of brake fluid would leak out near the screw threads (bleeder barely cracked open). Then a whole bunch of bubbles would come out, making me think that its sucking air from somewhere when i pump the pedal. Pedal got harder for the first few pumps when system was closed, then started getting soft again. I saw fluid/air being pushed through the bleed hose even when the bleeder screw was closed.

Thanks guys

 

If by yourself,run a hose from the bleeder to the reservoir, pump with the bleeder open. keep an eye on the level in the reservoir, fill as needed. Pump until the hose has no more bubbles coming out of it. Good luck

 

Well both of my slave cylinders (new and old one) are leaking from the bleeder screw threads. I am going to try thread sealing tape before I buy a 2nd brand new slave.

I bled it again a few times last night and the pedal was rock hard. Started the car and the engagement point was almost perfect, and then after about 20 pumps, it got soft again. Frustrating but I am slowly getting there.

Running a hose back up to the reservoir is a good idea, worked well for me.

 

here you go this is what i used when i replaced my master it worked great for me My link

 

Well I towed it to the dealer, they bled the system, to have them tell me the EXACT same thing I already knew. Hard to disengage clutch, recommend to drop tranny to inspect clutch.

Maybe it is the clutch. I mean when I try to engage it, it makes some very nasty sounds and it has yet to be replaced. The thing is when it does engage it holds really well... Well I'm gonna pick up some kind of a clutch kit and a flywheel and drop the thing.

Thanks for the help guys.