Proper Clutch bleeding method

[jpsenft]

I need to replace my clutch master cylinder. In looking at bleeding methods, I find three different techniques in the TALK forums and on Google. I would like to know which is correct and/or best for the Delorean.
Method one says "pump up the clutch", then open bleeder, then close bleeder. Method two says "do NOT pump the pedal", depress and release once, then open and close bleeder. Method three says "depress clutch pedal, while depressed open and close bleeder, then release clutch pedal.

Appreciate any guidance,
Jim 5832
Silver Spring, Maryland

[DMCMW Dave]

The third one


Sent from phone

[Nicholas R]

Where in the world did you find the first 2 methods?? They are both recipes for bleeding no air out and just introducing new air in as a tiny bit of fluid dribbles out.

[jpsenft]

Nicholas....all three methods were found in the DMC Talk archives via a google search. Some were quite old. I was planning on doing method three, but got confused when I saw references to the different ways. I will continue with the proper way.
Thanks, Jim

[kings1527]

If you want to get real tricky, you can buy a brake power bleeder and make an adapter for the clutch reservoir out of a rubber stopper, a brass barb fitting and some silicone tubing. I'm at work and I don't have pics of my setup but I can post them on Tuesday.

It makes life real easy....suction out as much of the old fluid out of the reservoir as you can, refill with fresh brake (clutch) fluid, connect everything, pressurize the system and then head to the clutch slave. Open it and then all of the fluid automatically gets bled. Total one man job that can be done in about 15 minutes. No need to work the clutch pedal.

[NightFlyer]

If you want to get real tricky, you can buy a brake power bleeder and make an adapter for the clutch reservoir out of a rubber stopper, a brass barb fitting and some silicone tubing. I'm at work and I don't have pics of my setup but I can post them on Tuesday.

It makes life real easy....suction out as much of the old fluid out of the reservoir as you can, refill with fresh brake (clutch) fluid, connect everything, pressurize the system and then head to the clutch slave. Open it and then all of the fluid automatically gets bled. Total one man job that can be done in about 15 minutes. No need to work the clutch pedal.

Instead of a rubber stopper, you can also use the cap from an old air cooled VW's brake master cylinder reservoir - works perfect. Also had another owner report that certain aspirin bottles have a cap on them that will fit - tried that myself with the cap from a Norwich bottle, after the fact, and it does indeed work. Oh well, the VW cap was the cheaper of the two anyway.

Love my power bleeder :biggrin:

http://www.dmctoday.com/showthread.php?689-Hydraulic-System-Pressurized-Bleeder-w-DeLorean-Specific-Caps

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=27764&d=1398221649

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=27765&d=1398221674

[Mark D]

Power bleeder for the win. I built a similar unit to the one pictured above and it makes the whole process much easier... especially if you don't have a helper to push in the clutch pedal while you wrestle with the bleed screw.

Works great for the brakes too...there was another recent thread about that.

[David T]

Power bleeder for the win. I built a similar unit to the one pictured above and it makes the whole process much easier... especially if you don't have a helper to push in the clutch pedal while you wrestle with the bleed screw.

Works great for the brakes too...there was another recent thread about that.

Actually any of the 3 methods can work. There are also other ways. My personal favorite is to use a "One Man Bleeder". It is basically a one way check valve with a hose attached to the bleeder nipple. You pump the pedal slowly till you have flushed all of the old fluid and air out and then close the bleeder.