P38 2.5 DT Manual - Unable to bleed the clutch

Hi All,

I am having major issues trying to bleed the clutch system to get it working, I had to replace a pipe that was leaking fluid at a joint and ever since then I have not been to get the clutch to work.

I have replaced the clutch Master cylinder and the slave cylinder and still no joy. I have tried a friend pumping the pedal and holding while I release the bleed nipple. Also have tried an easy bleed presure system still no joy.

Am I missing something ? I get fluid out of the bleed nipple but it won't build up pressure in there :S

Hoping someone can help

not that I know of, you could try gently tapping master cylinder after each release and also failing that put a broom handle wedging it over night(scooter we cable tied brake over night on stuborn ones. in the morning they would bleed fine.)

it helps to bleed masre using pipe connector slacken it press pedal down tighten then let pedal up repeat till clear fluid comes out,use a lot of rag to catch oil

also priming master cylinders before connecting pipes stops it air locking-try slackening pipe on master cylinger and getting decent flow there first-if you haven't already

Use a very clean (preferably new brass pumped) old fashioned oil can with a small diameter rubber pipe on the spout, fill with brake fluid, push the pipe on to the bleed nipple and just undo a little bit. Now pump the fluid into the system, known as back bleeding in the trade, to remove all the air totally you may have to still bleed the system in the traditional way from top to bottom.

I'd also check that the piston in the new master cylinder is returning to its end of stroke.

Is the master cylinder push rod adjustable on P38's???

hth

zzr

Thanks everyone, I will give it another go today.

Does the ABS Accumulator have any impact on the clutch system, as the pump on mine kicks in after every time I press the brake pedal ?

v6conv said:

Thanks everyone, I will give it another go today.

Does the ABS Accumulator have any impact on the clutch system, as the pump on mine kicks in after every time I press the brake pedal ?

Click to expand...

No none at all. But you may need a new accumulator.

Take a look at the slave cylinder on the gearbox.
These diesels have a nasty habit of shearing the pins inside the bell housing that holds the clutch fork to the arm. When these shear it seems no pressure can build up in the system.
A sure fire sign of this is the slave cylinder travels further than it really should & sometimes the rubber boot seal comes away.