Bleeding the clutch - problems . . . - Honda Prelude Forum

Daemione · 10-20-2006, 07:30 PM

So no matter how slowly or how many times I pump the clutch pedal, it doesn't seem to be pulling any fluid down from the reservoir, nothing's coming out the slave cylinder end, and I'm not getting any pressure returning the clutch pedal.

I'm trying to wrap up a clutch, flywheel, & throwout bearing replacement. I also replaced the slave cylinder (which had a torn boot) and the rubber clutch hose (with a braided ss one).

Any ideas what's going on? I checked the rubber line connecting the mc to the reservoir, it's not clogged or anything. I found an old post on here where someone had the same problem, and discovered that the master cylinder was sticking . . . but mine was working completely fine before. Is it possible it'd go bad just sitting there (without fluid)?

Arg.

marcucci · 10-21-2006, 12:10 AM

Not uncommon. Open or remove the bleed screw and just work the master- it will eventually "prime" and start moving fluid.

The solution on the front end is to "bench bleed" the master. It's mess, though. Basically fill the master with fluid & try and install it while full (tricky). It helps to have filled the clutch slave and line with fluid (not fun by iself). Install the master, then put the reserviour on and fill it. Generally it will only take a few pumps to prime it this way.

Stay on it, you will get it. It may help to close the bleeder, pump the pedal several times, then push and hold and open the bleeder, then close & repeat. This can be a more effective method at purging trapped air.

Daemione · 10-22-2006, 08:37 PM

Thanks - I'll give it another try tomorrow. Hopefully I can get it working without having to pull the master.

lilredlude · 10-22-2006, 08:51 PM

and once you get done, i'll drop my car off for clutch/flywheel job

(didn't you just put in the clutch not to long ago? or am i confused? i for somereason thought you had a lightened flywheel from ebay to...)

Daemione · 10-23-2006, 12:53 PM

I bought the clutch & flywheel last spring - only now gotten around to putting it in.

lilredlude · 10-23-2006, 06:20 PM

oh, lol. you move at the pace of me

Daemione · 10-23-2006, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcucci

It may help to close the bleeder, pump the pedal several times, then push and hold and open the bleeder, then close & repeat.

This did the trick - finally started to pull fluid through the system after 2 or 3 cycles.

Of course, I've now discovered a leak somewhere around the new clutch line, so now I've got to address that - but at least there's some progress . . . thanks for the advice.

lude4lifeh22 · 10-23-2006, 10:22 PM

Lol, Im having a problem too. A little different, hence a new thread...