My hydro clutch bleeding issues.

[colbystephens]

My dad and I spent some time this afternoon bench bleeding my hydro clutch. I rigged up a couple pieces of wood to mount the slave to so that I could block the slave piston in the contracted position as per instructions from 4x4HIGH.

We bled the system really well. At one point I tested it by having the bleeder valve closed, and pushed on the pedal by hand. I had a nice firm resistance that I couldn't compress. I decided to bleed it one more time for good measure. After that, for whatever reason, I had tons of air in the system and no matter how much I bled I kept pushing out lots of bubbles. Shouldn't have screwed with it.

So, I'm thinking I have a tiny leak in the system. My slave cylinder is pretty nasty - has a bit of rust inside the bleeder valve space. Perhaps I should start by replacing the slave and the hydraulic line which has a couple cracks in the rubber. What say you? The master is nice and clean, though I get quite a bit of movement out of the plastic coupling that goes from the reservoir to the master itself.

What say you?

 

[nvrenuf]

If air was getting in then fluid would be seeping out.

My bet is something moved and a trapped air pocket got loose. I'd keep bleeding it. Also, most folks have the best luck when the slave is loose and tilted so the bleeder is the highest point.

 

[colbystephens]

Your rationale is exactly what I was thinking: Air getting in must mean that fluid would also come out.

What I don't understand is that if I just continue to pump the sucker, the air doesn't seem to be going away, and the unit doesn't have much capacity, so I can't understand where it's coming from. I'll probably try again before replacing stuff tho.

 

[sweetk30]

did you read my info on " hydro clutch from hell " ? i found a spot were the air will hide and how to blead the system in less than 5 min out of the truck. and it will all bolt in with out taking apart also.

 

[colbystephens]

I've read your thread a few times. I'll triple check it though. Thanks.

EDIT: I did bleed the sucker with the master upside down so as to avoid having the air bubble in the plastic coupler thing that you talk about, sweetk30.

I must just need to continue bleeding it.