I recently had my clutch replaced and after receiving the car back the pedal has a very soft feel. I've searched for a while now and I see that the soft pedal feel is common with a new clutch.

I want to double check to make sure that no air i in the system though. The fluid is pretty dark in the reservoir so I planned on using a turkey baster to remove all excess fluid and clean the reservoir like stated in the gravity bleed diy. Then add new fluid.

In the multiple searches I've done I have often seen Billman state that the bleeder screw does not need to be opened and that the slave just needs to be removed and then face the bleeder pointing up and compress the plunger about 15 times slowly.

I've seen him state that many people will have issues when they attempt to actually bleed the system. I'm not sure if he is referring to the gravity bleed method or if he is referring to someone removing all the fluid from there system and then replacing it with new fluid incorporating air into the system. Or if he is referring to pumping the clutch pedal similar to a brake bleed method while adding fluid.

My question is when I do Billmans method of removing the slave and pumping the plunger should i have the reservoir cap on or off. I sent him a message last night and I know he is extremely busy I'm just trying to try it out this morning before I have to go into work. Also with my fluid being dark do you think I would still be ok to to just keep changing out the reservoir fluid until it looks clean/new. If I should go the diy gravity bleed route let me know I would just hate to run into anymore issues.

 

Open reservoir so air has a place to escape, just make sure it doesn't spill. Clutch fluid gets dirty much faster than brakes. Bleed once thoroughly, then you can do the turkey baster method. Just empty old fluid add new, pump the clutch about 50x and repeat. Do this 3 or 4 times a year or 3k miles, you'll never have a problem.

 

Awesome I appreciate the reply.

So you are suggesting doing the gravity bleed route to rid of any dirty fluid left in the line after cleaning the old dirty fluid out of the reservoir and adding new fluid to it? I mean the gravity bleed diy seems pretty straight forward but I would hate to incorporate any air into the system while messing the the bleeder screw. If it is not possible to incorporate air into the system while doing the gravity bleed I would try it but I'm just weary to.

 

I'm going to try what Billman recommends by un bolting the slave cylinder and pumping the plunger with the cap off.

 

Do it, can't go wrong listening to him.