Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Transaxle Clutch Problem

So I dropped the engine back in, and tried to bleed the clutch. The pedal kept going down without any effort... Me and my friend tried it like 10 times (pumping 30 times then unscrew the release bleeder), but it didn't help... What's going on?

I think you know this, but pumping the clutch without releasing the bleeder screw won't do anything. You need to open the bleeder, stroke the clutch down, hold down, tighten bleeder, repeat. Just like brake bleeding. The clutch stroke doesn't push all that much fluid, so pumping it will take a long time to bleed it. A better alternative is the vacuum or pressure bleed it.

For vacuum, you can use a simple syringe, even one of the ones at Wegmans or Tops for sticking and basting turkeys should work fine. Attach a bit of hose to the syringe, attach to the bleeder, open bleeder, draw out syringe. Close bleeder, remove hose, push in syringe. Repeat.

To pressure bleed, you need to apply pressure to the brake master cylinder. Try borrowing a coolant system pressure testing kit from Autozone - they include a number of caps, and one of then should fit the brake master. Apply a bit of pressure (not too much, a few PSI, not more than about 10 psi), then open the clutch bleeder. The air and eventually fluid should flow out. This was the only way to bleed the clutch on my old Saab, which also had a common brake & clutch master cylinder.

Good luck,

Scott

Yeah, I know I have to open the bleeder to let the air and fluid out. My friend and I did it for about 5 times (the 30 pumps then release the bleeder thing according to the Haynes manual), but the pedal was still so loose I could press it all the way down with one finger...

You still have air in the system. I'd be willing to bet that you'll have to do it 30x or more to get it bled out - the clutch stroke is verrrry short.

Scott

OK, here's more info. I haven't seen the Haynes, but I just grabbed the Ford service manual from the public library and this is the procedure they prescribe:

1. pump clutch 30+ times to move all air to slave
2. open bleed screw, stroke clutch pedal down, close screw, allow clutch pedal to rise
3. repeat 2 until no more air bubbles are present in the expelled fluid

Good luck,

Scott

Can anyone tell me when you're bleeding it is the clutch pedal still supposed to sink to the bottom?

I just went outside and checked mine. When my clutch pedal is pressed all the way, there is just enough room to stick my big toe between the pedal and the floor. How's that for a scientific measurement? At that point, I can feel it bottom out against something, but it's not against the floor.

This is probably a stupid question, but are you certain that you're not getting air from the reservoir?

OK, I bled it as the service manual says 4 more times, and the pedal still has no pressure... I could see the fluid shoots out with no air in them anymore, but the clutch pedal still has no pressure. What's going on?

Almost sounds like the fluid is leaking backward, rather than being pressurized.

Leaking slave cylinder? Are you losing fluid from your reservoir?