How to: Bleeding you Clutch

[Slow Paul]

I did this the other weekend and now my clutch feels like a million bucks. I'm not a certified mechanic, and followed the directions from the Hayes Manual here's how it went:

Keep in mind that the clutch SHARES the same resivoir as the brakes. I found this out while swapping from OLD Ate Super Blue to Motul 600.....

Same process as bleeding the brakes, except you NEED two people, one to watch the bleeder and resivoir and one to pump the clutch pedal. No "power bleeders" here....sorry

1.) Locate the CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER ...
On my '03 Cooper I had to remove the battery and battery tray. On an S I'm assuming it in the same spot and would require you to remove the intake box/cai. You'll notice a rubber cap that resembles the caps found on the brake caliper bleeders.

2.) Get a piece of 3/8 i.d. hose....
Slip it over the bleeder.....yes the bleeder is PLASTIC!!! Put the other end of the hose in a empty water bottle on the ground. Open the bleeder valve using caution...

3.) Get in and press the clutch in a few times....
Fluid will appear at the bleeder, Here is where thing get tricky. Since the clutch is hydralic there is no return spring, so as you press in the clutch it will be come more and more reluctant to go back into position. So sit on the outside on the ground and start pumping the clutch with your hand (After closing the bleeder). Press the pedel about five times then open the bleeader again. Use the "Pump and hold Method" you use to bleed your brakes

4.) Make sure to keep an eye on the resivoir!
It make take a half liter of fluid to bleed the system. Once the fluid in the tube appears clean, the old fluid has been bled. Close the bleeder and rest your arm.

That's about it!!!!

[MMrAy]

Very cool write-up...thanks!

[DEye]

Did you close the bleeder between punps like you would normaly do with brakes ? ( i would expect so or when you pull the clutch back you would be sucking air back into the system.

[Slow Paul]

Originally Posted by DEye

Did you close the bleeder between punps like you would normaly do with brakes ? ( i would expect so or when you pull the clutch back you would be sucking air back into the system.

ooooo yes I'll add that thanks!!!