I didn't disconnect the hydraulics... need to bleed?

[kenkaru]

I didn't disconnect the slave when I swapped my clutch today.
I was going to check the engagement point the pedal went all the way to the floor. I don't understand how this can happen. The only things I did were:
replace FW, replace PP and Fdisc, removed Spec shim.
I went from a spec3 to an ebay clutch. hehe don't say shit until I test it tomorrow. I haven't been able to really test it out as the craft shop closed before I could get my exhaust complete so I'll know more tomorrow.

I mean I'll bleed it if I need to I just don't understand why.

[Mike44138]

If you didn't disconnect the hydraulics you shouldn't need to bleed. In fact most of the time even if you do pop the quick disconnect, air wont make it into the system (that's why they use the disconnect). Either way, doesn't change things much. Pop the disconnect. Check for a hard pedal with it disconnected. If you can move the pedal your master cylinder has air in it and needs to be bled.

My bleeding technique which works everytime is....
1.) Connect master and slave
2.) Do the normal bleeding procedure. Depress pedal, open bleeder on slave, close bleeder, release pedal. I do this about 5 or 6 times until I don't get any air out of the slave. This is mainly to fill the slave with fluid.
3.) Remove the master with the reservoir connected and full. Move the master in several different positions and wiggle/tap on the sides until you see no air bubbles escape into the reservoir. Check the linkage to make sure you can't depress it.
4.) Reinstall the master with the reservoir connected. Connect the master to the slave and you should be good.


I suppose you could use the mity vac on #3. I've just heard mixed reviews, and don't own one.

[kenkaru]

Thanks again Mike!
That sounds like a better technique than the MitVac. The MityVac sort of worked for me in the past but it didn't give me a good feeling since air kept coming out.

[Mike44138]

Thats kind of what I've heard from most people that do it. I think the lines around the reservoir end up sucking air, or it pulls air past the seals.. not really sure, but I know the bench bleeding works, even if getting the master back in can be a pain. Good luck with your project.

[kenkaru]

I ended up not having to rebleed it. I just had to give the pedal a few pumps; presumable because I was squeezing the slave with my hands and watching like a monkey while I had the tranny out. (I was seeing if it looked worn out.)

[keliente]

You don't need to bleed it, however if you are already under the car it's a good excuse to bleed it with fresh fluid