The car’s clutch is a system that allows the correct transmission of power from the engine to the gearbox, which then passes to the car’s wheels.
It is a component within the vehicle system that is subject to constant stress and it is therefore of vital importance to carry out correct preventive maintenance in order to avoid wear and tear.
Find out how to bleed the clutch correctly step by step and when to do it. Don’t miss this post by Frenkit!
Why it is important to bleed the clutch
As mentioned in previous posts, the clutch system aims to isolate the movement of the engine from the wheels while driving and shifting gears. Depending on the type of clutch and its parts, all clutches must be serviced to prevent and avoid premature wear. To do this, it is necessary to bleed the clutch from time to time, especially if the clutch type is hydraulic, a system that has no discs, as the power it needs to start the vehicle is generated by a turbine that is driven by the rotation of the car’s engine.
When to bleed the car clutch
In the case that something does not work properly with the clutch, this can be due to two specific causes. The first is that the clutch does not release properly, so that the gears cannot be engaged. The second is when the clutch sticks and the clutch does not return to its starting point. In both cases, bleeding the clutch can be a great help.
At the same time, as drivers, we should bear in mind that every 30,000 or 40,000 kilometers (every two years or so) we should replace the brake fluid and bleed the clutch system of our vehicle. This is a purely preventive maintenance operation which will prevent major breakdowns.
4 steps to bleed the manual clutch
Here are the steps to follow to bleed your car’s clutch if it is a manual clutch. Bear in mind that, in the event that you carry out the repair, you will need another person to reduce the pressure on the clutch when necessary.
In addition, if you are unable to bleed the clutch, we advise you to visit a specialised workshop that carries out this type or repair.
Position master cylinder and check brake fluid
In this first step, the specialist workshop will look for the car’s slave cylinder, the system that helps to remove the clutch. This is located on the lower right-hand side of the master cylinder. Next, we will proceed to check the vehicle’s brake fluid level.
Remove the bleeder plug and connect it to a reservoir
At this point, it may be necessary to add brake fluid to the maximum. We will remove the bleeder cap and connect a flexible hose from a reservoir to the bleeder for easy bleeding. It is essential to make sure to place a container for the fluid to fall into. Depending on the make of the car, the bleeder is located on the clutch master cylinder.
Bleeding the clutch slave cylinder
The person helping you should press the clutch pedal several times and hold it down. With the help of a spanner, open the bleeder and the air will come out. At this point, close the bleeder and release the pedal, repeating the same steps until there is no air left.
Check that the clutch pedal is working properly
The last step is to check that everything is correct. To do this, start the car and test the clutch by pressing the pedal. At this point we will feel a firm sensation in the clutch and we will be able to change gears smoothly.
4 steps to bleed the clutch with special equipment
In this case, there is another way, in addition to the manual mode, to bleed the clutch: Bleeding the clutch with special equipment. From Frenkit, specialists in brake spare parts, we recommend going to a workshop specialised in clutch systems and trustworthy, regardless of the type of clutch.
Unscrew the brake fluid reservoir cap
In this case, there are many different kits that do the same job. The first step is to unscrew the cap that is attached to the brake fluid system reservoir.
Coupling the purging equipment
In the next step, an external pump, filled with brake fluid, is connected to the brake fluid reservoir by a qualified professional after the cap has been removed.
Adjusting the hose
Next, we will proceed to remove the bleeder plug and adjust the same flexible tube as in the manual bleed. At this point the external pump will be activated until there is no liquid left in the system, nor bubbles and all impurities come out. Close the bleeder and disconnect the external pump.
Check that the clutch pedal works
Finally, it is important to check the brake fluid level, as well as the clutch actuation and the tightness of the system.
Now that you know how to bleed the clutch in two different ways, at Frenkit we will also tell you in this post what the clutch is and how it works.
Our philosophy is to offer the best service to our customers. To do so, we have a wide range of products in stock, which allows us to supply all our kits in a short period of time.
You can now access all our brake repair kits through our website you can also purchase spare parts for your vehicle.
