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charleslabri
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Joined: December 08, 2019
Posts: 615
Location: Nashville/Yosemite
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Vanagon Nut
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10365
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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 Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 6:52 pm Post subject: Re: solo clutch bleed |
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Raise front, gravity bleed?
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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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Howesight
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2008
Posts: 3273
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
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| Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 7:01 pm Post subject: Re: solo clutch bleed |
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Get the front end of the Van elevated. Fill the brake fluid reservoir. Place a clear plastic hose over the bleeder screw that is dipped into a container of clean brake fluid and crack open the bleeder. If you can get the catch-container in a position close to the bleeder, then you can watch and wait for the brake fluid to fill the clear plastic hose.
Once that happens, you can step on the clutch pedal quickly, but release the pedal very slowly. Now tighten the bleeder screw and check whether the air is bled. Repeat as needed.
Another variation on this is to use a standard pressure bleeder if you have one, although I assumed from your post that you don`t have one.
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX |
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1988M5
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Joined: January 23, 2016
Posts: 674
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 7:39 pm Post subject: Re: solo clutch bleed |
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I've had great success by backward bleeding. Get yourself a brand new oiler can and a piece of clear tubing to connect the cans output to the slaves bleeder. Crack the bleeder and pump fluid into the slave pushing fluid backwards and ending up in the front master cylinders' reservoir. Make room for this fluid by sucking some out to make room for the new fluid coming in by this method. Keep the oiler can flat to gravity and use the clear tube to insure your pumping perfect fluid and no air bubbles.
BK
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1991 tin top GL
2002 Winnebago Vista. VW VR6 24V Eurovan front clip powered class C 21' RV.
Some BMWs. |
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GoEverywhere
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Joined: December 13, 2020
Posts: 516
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 7:53 pm Post subject: Re: solo clutch bleed |
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Its redneck, but I used a push broom.
Pumped up the pedal, wedged the broom on the pedal and the back of the driver's seat. Then went back and opened the bleeder. Repeat a few times. Worked great, if a little awkward. |
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DanHoug
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Joined: December 05, 2016
Posts: 4751
Location: Bemidji, MN
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| Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 7:56 pm Post subject: Re: solo clutch bleed |
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MightyVac pump on the bleed nipple.
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-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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1988M5
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Joined: January 23, 2016
Posts: 674
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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MarkWard
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Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17100
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 8:24 pm Post subject: Re: solo clutch bleed |
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Not my idea. Connect a snug hose between the l/r wheel cylinder bleed and the clutch slave bleed. Open both valves and pump the brake pedal. This will back bleed the clutch, no fluid loss. After you feel you’ve pumped brake enough, close both bleeders and you are back in business.
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☮️ |
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1988M5
Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2016
Posts: 674
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 8:47 pm Post subject: Re: solo clutch bleed |
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| MarkWard wrote: |
| Not my idea. Connect a snug hose between the l/r wheel cylinder bleed and the clutch slave bleed. Open both valves and pump the brake pedal. This will back bleed the clutch, no fluid loss. After you feel you’ve pumped brake enough, close both bleeders and you are back in business. |
That's the most eye opening shade tree/Nairobi technique I've heard in decades.
Bravo sir.
BK
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1991 tin top GL
2002 Winnebago Vista. VW VR6 24V Eurovan front clip powered class C 21' RV.
Some BMWs. |
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buspor63
Samba Member
Joined: February 17, 2005
Posts: 1179
Location: Knoxville,TN Where America stops for gas
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| Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 9:00 pm Post subject: Re: solo clutch bleed |
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| GoEverywhere wrote: |
Its redneck, but I used a push broom.
Pumped up the pedal, wedged the broom on the pedal and the back of the driver's seat. Then went back and opened the bleeder. Repeat a few times. Worked great, if a little awkward. |
I second this technique, I've used it many times before.
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Imagine that, theres not an "h" in either Westfalia or Syncro? |
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charleslabri
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Joined: December 08, 2019
Posts: 615
Location: Nashville/Yosemite
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CanStan
Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2005
Posts: 1037
Location: Calgary, AB
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| Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2021 9:45 am Post subject: Re: solo clutch bleed |
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I picked up a similar $15 Amazon special a few weeks ago. I really wasn't expecting much for the money, but I was sick or borrowing a professional unit from a buddy every time I needed it.
I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. The quality was good for the price. It's easy to use, and small enough to store out of the way. I didn't need another garage item in my way that only gets used once a year. I suppose the only downfall is you have to have a compressor, but even the smallest compressor will work just fine. |
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DanHoug
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016
Posts: 4751
Location: Bemidji, MN
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| Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2021 3:05 pm Post subject: Re: solo clutch bleed |
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i use a wide mouth quart mason jar as i like the clear glass to look at what is coming out and being able to suck a fair bit of fluid out. used Mason lids with 2 nipples JB Welded thru. i've put full, low micron vacuum on mason jars and while not approved/suggested/safe/sane/sanctified, it's never had an issue. certainly not in the MityVac range.
i've got the O-fficial MityVac plastic jar too but it is translucent only, not clear. handy devices to have around, i use mine quite frequently.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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charleslabri
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Joined: December 08, 2019
Posts: 615
Location: Nashville/Yosemite
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fxr
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Joined: December 07, 2014
Posts: 2315
Location: Bay area CA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2021 4:11 pm Post subject: Re: solo clutch bleed |
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| MarkWard wrote: |
| Not my idea. Connect a snug hose between the l/r wheel cylinder bleed and the clutch slave bleed. Open both valves and pump the brake pedal. This will back bleed the clutch, no fluid loss. After you feel you’ve pumped brake enough, close both bleeders and you are back in business. |
Awesome! Makes perfect sense, especially if you can fill that hose with fluid before final attachment.
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Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
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Sodo
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Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9600
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2021 7:12 pm Post subject: Re: solo clutch bleed |
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| buspor63 wrote: |
| GoEverywhere wrote: |
Its redneck, but I used a push broom.
Pumped up the pedal, wedged the broom on the pedal and the back of the driver's seat. Then went back and opened the bleeder. Repeat a few times. Worked great, if a little awkward. |
I second this technique, I've used it many times before. |
I third this technique
There's another thread called: One man clutch bleed?
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'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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