Bleeding clutch

captaindagman · **April 05, 2016, 19:12:57**

Hi all,
I am a new member with a 2009 crdi. I have the common problem with having to push the clutch pedal into the carpet to get a clean gear change. I thought I would change the fluid and bleed the system so I bought a Vizibleed tube and had a go. Now there is so much air in the system I can't operate the clutch at all. I don't know but I suspect that air is being drawn in around the bleed nipple.
All comments gratefully received !

asathorny · **Reply #1: April 05, 2016, 19:17:12**

After checking all the connections i.e. nuts and nipples et al. I would be using a vacuum pump to draw the fluid thru, otherwise a trusted friend to do the 'Up, up, dow, down routine.

Shambles · **Reply #2: April 05, 2016, 20:08:14**

Hey @asathorny , I don't think we're talking about the brakes here.

asathorny · **Reply #3: April 05, 2016, 20:18:10**

Dazzler · **Reply #4: April 05, 2016, 22:57:48**

Sounds like you've stuffed the bleedin' clutch... Sorry, no much help (I'm no mechanic)

eye30 · **Reply #5: April 06, 2016, 00:28:07**

I think clutch and brakes off same supply so how are brakes?

charlescrown · **Reply #6: April 06, 2016, 08:02:51**

Just open the bleed nipple and let it gravity bleed. You can put a clear piece of tube on the nipple just to watch the bubbles come out. Keep filling up the master cylinder as you go, don't touch the pedal and after a couple of minutes it should be done.

captaindagman · **Reply #7: April 06, 2016, 10:32:40**

Thanks everyone. Yes, I have stuffed the bleedin' clutch ! We have tried the up/down routine but it hasn't worked. No signs of any leaks. I will try the suction method and if that doesn't work I'll try gravity.
My local Hyundai dealership cannot supply a new bleed nipple only a complete slave cylinder assembly - for three times the price of an independent. No surprises there !

CraigB · **Reply #8: April 06, 2016, 10:37:56**

Some auto stores like Repco will stock bleed nipples, a brake/clutch rebuilder will also stock them.

Phil №❶ · **Reply #9: April 06, 2016, 11:09:32**

Use 2 people and make sure that the attendant on the clutch nipple knows when to open and close so the air is expelled.

captaindagman · **Reply #10: April 06, 2016, 15:23:45**

I have just spent 3 hours trying everything with no success. I have pumped 300ml of new fluid through using two Vizibleeds ( just in case one was defective ). Putting a vacum pump onto the bleed nipple didn't help.
Whatever we do there still seems to be air in the system. The fluid seems to be comming out clear, I close the nipple but the pedal goes to the floor with very little resistance and barely moves the clutch lever. We have to lift the pedal by hand. Vigorous pumping of the pedal brings the pressure up but still not enough to operate the clutch.
Could there be an trapped air somewhere ? I can't think of any other explanation unless it is getting in from the bleed nipple.
There are bleeding kits on the market that use pressure from a tyre to force fluid down from the reservoir. Are these effective ?
Would replacing the nipple do any good ? Surely the seal depends on two components mating properly.

Tearing my hair out !

asathorny · **Reply #11: April 06, 2016, 15:53:06**

A seal gone bust somewhere ????????????????????????????

just a thought

captaindagman · **Reply #12: April 06, 2016, 18:50:08**

But wouldn't that result in a fluid leak ???????????

Got a mobile mechanic coming tomorrow. I will post an update,

charlescrown · **Reply #13: April 06, 2016, 22:51:31**

From my experience when you have introduced air into an old system it will continue to draw air into the master cylinder past the secondary cup. Unfortunately the cups are not available and the only fix is to replace both the cylinders. Don't quiet know what you did to the bleed nipple.

charlescrown · **Reply #14: April 06, 2016, 22:54:00**

Pressure bleeding is sometimes the only way you can bleed a system but your problem is a basic one. new cylinders will fix it.

captaindagman · **Reply #15: April 07, 2016, 16:07:04**

Mobile mechanic came today. 30 mins later clutch working better than it has ever worked since I bought the car in 2011.
He said that air had got into master cylinder and the seal had flipped. He used some sort of pressure tool to force fluid in and presumably push the seal back.
So why did this happen ? When I started the job i used the Vizibleed tube as per instructions for one-man operation. I guess that this sucked air from the empty tube into the system. Air bubbles will always seek the highest point so I guess they found there way up to the master cylinder. Can't think of any other explanation.

BTW the mechanic charged me £35. What would Hyundai have charged ?

Thanks to all contributors.

Asterix · **Reply #16: April 07, 2016, 16:33:44**

Result, that's the most important...

eye30 · **Reply #17: April 07, 2016, 19:50:06**

Just keep an eye on it over next few says incase it fails again but all should be well

charlescrown · **Reply #18: April 07, 2016, 23:54:09**

I have been working in this trade for over 35 years and have never seem a master seal so called flip. I have seen them wear but to flip and I assume the seal cup managed to turn over to me is impossible. That being said he fixed it. Just see how long it lasts.

Paolo5 · **Reply #19: April 11, 2016, 11:16:47**

Quote from: captaindagman on April 07, 2016, 16:07:04

the seal had flipped.

I can't see how a seal could flip..

eye30 · **Reply #20: April 11, 2016, 12:07:08**

Quote from: Paolo5 on April 11, 2016, 11:16:47

Quote from: captaindagman on April 07, 2016, 16:07:04
the seal had flipped.

I can't see how a seal could flip..

May be the mechanic fliped a coin and it landed on heads so heads story is seal whereas tails is a new unit.....

Surferdude · **Reply #21: April 11, 2016, 21:35:05**

I've seen it happen in a disc brake caliper.