348 - Unable to bleed the clutch | FerrariChat

348 - Unable to bleed the clutch

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by speedy_sam, Feb 12, 2011.

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  1. speedy_sam

    speedy_sam F1 Veteran

    Jul 13, 2004
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    #1 speedy_sam, Feb 12, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Last week, I found that my clutch pedal had gone completely limp. There was no resistance when pushing the pedal down. A 2 year old child can easy depress the pedal.

    I wanted to bleed the clutch near the pumpkin but am struggling to do so because the bleeder nut is stuck.

    I tried WD40 and penetrating fluid to no avail. I gave it a few whacks with a hammer also.

    When I use a wrench on it with force, the whole assembly moves but the nut is not budging one bit.

    Please help!
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  2. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
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    With a pair of box-end wrenches (or a box-end on the big one and a six-sided socket on the bleeder) you should have no trouble breaking it free. If you have one a small impact gun on the bleeder will do it for sure. Just make sure to hold the fitting and verify which way the gun is turning before you hit it.
     
  3. speedy_sam

    speedy_sam F1 Veteran

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    #3 speedy_sam, Feb 12, 2011
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2011
    Tim you lost me - when you say box end on the "big one", what are you referring to by big one?
     
  4. portogts

    portogts Formula 3
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    I agree with you about the wrenches , but wouldn´t the impact gun damage the thread?
     
  5. 50hdmc

    50hdmc Formula 3

    Oct 10, 2006
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    he is saying to pull the drain tube off, place two wrenches or a socket and a wrench on the bleeder and the fitting the bleeder is screwed in to......
     
  6. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
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    I have a 3/8" impact gun that I frequently use to loosen overly tight fasteners. Sometimes just a sudden shock will get it done when a wrench might round off the corners. It's not the tool for everything. It doesn't look like there is rust or galling on those threads, they're just really tight. The fitting is attached by a pretty flimsy bracket so it's difficult to apply much torque without the whole fitting moving. It's important to hold it preferably with a box-end wrench to minimize damage.
     
  7. portogts

    portogts Formula 3
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    Agree 100%. From the photo it looks good, without any rust, so it sould be easy like you told.
     
  8. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
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    #8 2NA, Feb 12, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    This

    Hold this part here when you try to unscrew the bleeder.

    The bleeder isn't a "nut" as you described it, more of a hollow bolt with a tapered end that seals against a mating taper in the "big one".
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  9. speedy_sam

    speedy_sam F1 Veteran

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    Thanks a bunch Tim.

    Your suggestion worked like a charm. I was able to flush 1/5 quarts through the system - got a lot of air and blackish gunk out. I wonder where the air came in from? Must be a leak somewhere.
     
  10. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
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    Likely your master or slave cylinder is getting tired and letting a little air in when it retracts. That "gunk" used to be hose lining or seal material.
     
  11. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

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    It sounds like your clutch hasn't been bled in years. Maybe many years. I had this with a Corvette a couple of years back. I would suggest that you either take the car out and drive it or just sit and pump the clutch about 100 times, and then put it back up and bleed the clutch again. You'll be surprised how much more "gunk" will come out.

    Be sure to check around for leaks. I assume you're using DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid in the clutch, so you need to be concerned about leaking fluid. It is very bad for your paint (it's the best paint remover out there).
     
  12. speedy_sam

    speedy_sam F1 Veteran

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    No - it was bled in 2008 and again in Feb 2009. I am using DOT 4 now - it had DOT 3 earliuer
     
  13. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

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    Who filled it with Dot 3?
     
  14. 166&456

    166&456 Formula 3

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    It sounds like it requires a bit more TLC than just a flush then, like new seals and/or hoses in the system as 2NA suggested. Separate hydraulic seals are available through many specialists. Note that if there is a hose from reservoir to clutch master cylinder that these are special hoses, fuel hose won't work and dissolve rather quickly.
     
  15. CaptOharry

    CaptOharry Formula Junior

    Jan 4, 2009
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    I would use PB blaster on it , let it sit a few days ,respray let sit a few more days , then give her a try. We use this penetrant on old nuts and bolts on high voltage deadend shoes thats been in the weather for years on end,Works great,Oh try not to get it on painted area's,if so use a good wax cleaner on the overspray,Hope's this helps Harry.
     

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