Vacuum bleeding the clutch, no fluid

[Shaggy_357]

Hello all,


I've been trying to bleed my clutch for the better part of 3 hours now. I tried without a mityvac at first. I put a vacuum hose on the bleed valve and submerged the other end in a bottle of brake fluid. Then I cracked the bleed valve and pumped the pedal. All was going well until suddenly the slight pressure I had in the pedal disappeared. At this point I got confused, went back and double checked all my connections to make sure nothing had come loose and let air into the system. Everything was in order. I then removed the hose to see if I was getting any fluid from it at all and absolutely nothing came out. I went so far as to remove the bleeder valve completely and still not a drop.

After a while I gave in and went to autozoo and bought a mityvac, I hooked it up according to the directions and now the best I get is a sputtering of fluid and air. It holds vacuum fine when the valve is closed, but as soon as I crack it the vacuum dissipates. When working the pedal I was able to get air from the bleeder valve so I don't think there is a blockage. When I work the slave rod the level of fluid doesn't change in the reservoir. None of the lines appear damaged, the slave cylinder is new, there aren't any obvious leaks, and I teflon taped the bleeder screw so the air isn't coming from it.

Am I that retarded? Or is there something I might need to look into?


Edit: I put in an ACT2600 around 600 miles ago. It's been a pain to shift so I was trying to cure that. (Looks like I need to shim the pivot ball as well.) Also, I just took off the banjo bolt going to the slave cylinder and nothing is coming out. Again, I see no leaks so I have no idea where to begin looking. Ideas?

 

[govproperty]

I use a method similar to the first thing you tried except you said you opened the bleeder valve then pumped the pedal. I left the bleeder closed, then pumped the pedal about 7 rimes. Then placed a 2" x 4" between the seat and the pedal the keep the pedal depressed. After that I would open the bleeder valve releasing the air/ fluid into the bottle filled with brake fluid. I usually repeat the process 2 or 3 more times or until I notice no air bubbles coming out. I also check the clutch reservoir frequently to make sure it doesn't run dry.

 

[Shaggy_357]

I figured it out. Turns out I had a leak at the bottom of my reservoir that went unnoticed. Sometimes I hate being stupid .

 

[crash89]

I use a method similar to the first thing you tried except you said you opened the bleeder valve then pumped the pedal. I left the bleeder closed, then pumped the pedal about 7 rimes. Then placed a 2" x 4" between the seat and the pedal the keep the pedal depressed. After that I would open the bleeder valve releasing the air/ fluid into the bottle filled with brake fluid. I usually repeat the process 2 or 3 more times or until I notice no air bubbles coming out. I also check the clutch reservoir frequently to make sure it doesn't run dry.

Pumping the pedal x amount of times before opening the bleeder valve wont do anything but make your leg tired. Best way to bleed the clutch system is to (assuming all leaks are fixed)
1)find a buddy
2)make sure master cylinder is full
3)place a hose over the bleeder valve on the slave, and place the end of that hose into another bottle with some residual DOT 3 brake fluid in the bottem.
4)have buddy depress the clutch pedal then you crack open the bleeder valve.
5)close bleeder valve, THEN tell buddy to lift pedal up.
6)repeat steps 2, 4 and 5 until there is a solid stream of fluid being pushed out. Then repeat again for about 5 to 7 times.

Keep in mind to keep filling up the reservior.

 

[Shaggy_357]

I've owned this car for 6 years, been working on cars for a little longer. One would THINK I had that process down pat. Guess that goes to show how old habits aren't always GOOD habits .