bleeding the clutch of air. - Honda Prelude Forum

preluda92 · 10-30-2003, 12:05 PM

Okay first off guys, I searched and couldn't find the answer so...

Anyway, just finished installing a new clutch. I've got everything reconnected and I'm bleeding the clutch system. I hoped in the car tapped the clutch pedal and it went to the floor.

So I filled up the resevoir, and pumped the pedal ALOT! It never really built up pressure, but I shrugged it off to air in the system so I went to the bleeder valve and lossened it up, sure enough a bunch of air bubbled out of the clutch fluid. Then I pumped the pedal again, still no pressure building. released the valve and all that came out was fluid. repeat. What am I doing wrong? Why do I have no pressure, the clutch pedal will stay at the floor is I let it.

71dsp · 10-30-2003, 12:20 PM

You need to have two people to bleed the clutch properly.

One person needs to pump the clutch pedal. He/she will have to use their hands because the clutch pedal will stay on the floor without pressure in the system.

The other person needs to open/close the bleed valve and add fluid when needed.

Have the person on the pedal apply pressure to the system. Open the bleed valve and pump the pedal a few times. Close the bleed valve on the down stroke of the pedal so that the system is under pressure when the bleed valve is closed. The pedal should become very firm when you close the bleed valve. At this point, the pedal should return to the upward position unless you have a lot of air in the hydraulics. Add more brake fluid and repeat until all the air is flushed out of the system.

Remember only to close the bleed valve on the down stroke, and pressurize the system prior to opening the bleed valve.

preeluder · 10-30-2003, 02:33 PM

^^^^ well said.

jsmooney · 10-30-2003, 04:46 PM

it was the biggest pain in the ass trying to do it, but its easy once you know how.....what was said above ^^^^ is all there is to it. I am a moron (thanks andy) and i can do it, so anyone can!

Forbidden · 10-30-2003, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 71dsp
You need to have two people to bleed the clutch properly.

One person needs to pump the clutch pedal. He/she will have to use their hands because the clutch pedal will stay on the floor without pressure in the system.

The other person needs to open/close the bleed valve and add fluid when needed.

Have the person on the pedal apply pressure to the system. Open the bleed valve and pump the pedal a few times. Close the bleed valve on the down stroke of the pedal so that the system is under pressure when the bleed valve is closed. The pedal should become very firm when you close the bleed valve. At this point, the pedal should return to the upward position unless you have a lot of air in the hydraulics. Add more brake fluid and repeat until all the air is flushed out of the system.

Remember only to close the bleed valve on the down stroke, and pressurize the system prior to opening the bleed valve.

Just so I get this straight, you pump the pedal a few times with the bleed valve open and you close the valve while you're pressing the pedal to the floor? Then you open the bleed valve again, pump the pedal a few times and again close the valve while you're pressing the pedal to the floor and do it again until there's no more air?

I wish I had knew that when we bleed the clutch when we did the engine swap. At least it's gonna be useful for when I do my brakes soon.

71dsp · 10-30-2003, 08:01 PM

You need to close the bleed valve as the pedal is being pressed to the floor, i.e. while the pedal is still in motion. You also need to open the bleed valve while the pedal is depressed.

The idea is to only open/close the bleed valve while the system is pressurized so that no air gets into the system.

Just make sure you keep your eye on the fluid level. It only takes 4 or so pumps to completely drain the reservior (sp?).

preluda92 · 10-31-2003, 01:58 AM

BAM! Got it done, needed a second hand, but after a month on the operating table my lude is back up and running! Thanks for the help guys!

Forbidden · 10-31-2003, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 71dsp
You need to close the bleed valve as the pedal is being pressed to the floor, i.e. while the pedal is still in motion. You also need to open the bleed valve while the pedal is depressed.

If you open the valve when you depress the pedal, wouldn't that pull the fluid and air back in the system? Or is it that the little air that comes back will eventually get all out after a few times?