When the clutch pedal is pressed on a vehicle with a hydraulic clutch control system, a moving piston in the master cylinder disperses brake fluid into the slave cylinder. This fluid activates a piston which is connected to the slave cylinder, which in turn releases the clutch through a release bearing. What does it mean to bleed a clutch? Your clutch fluid is located in the engine bay of your vehicle inside the clutch fluid reservoir. For many vehicles, this is located under the front hood of the car. You shouldn’t need to keep bleeding your clutch. Once you’ve done this, it should only need to be repeated if you notice your clutch pedal begins to feel spongy again, or any of the other potential symptoms mentioned above.

Use a wrench to open the bleeder valve. You should be able to see and hear air and liquid coming out of the valve. Step 6. As a whole, most warranty providers don’t include clutches as part of their warranty cover on the grounds of the component being a ‘wear and tear’ item. Bleeding the clutch means you remove excess air from the fluid. However, there’s no reason to bleed the clutch unless you notice a problem. If the clutch becomes resistant to release, it could be due to air in the system, which requires bleeding.With that being said, it is possible to get warranties that will cover this, sometimes with an added premium. If uncertain, you can always consult your owner’s manual to find the exact location in your own vehicle. Is your clutch covered under warranty? The thought of bleeding a clutch might overwhelming to you, but it’s not as challenging as it sounds. If you want to avoid costly bills from the local shop, you can follow the steps I’ve written down below to bleed a hydraulic clutch at home. Why is it Necessary to Bleed a Hydraulic Clutch? Oftentimes, the most common reason air can make its way into the clutch is due to a leak somewhere in the system. However, it’s always best to take your car to a trained mechanic for an inspection first, who can diagnose the problem for you. Locate the bleeder valve on the slave cylinder and place a pan or bowl beneath it. There shouldn’t be too much liquid to come out, so a small mixing bowl will do. Step 5.

Repeat the process until you open the bleeder valve and only liquid comes out - no hissing or detection of air coming out. Having a manual transmission vehicle can be a lot of fun, and it provides you with more control over the ride. However, there are also some challenges you will face that automatic car owners don’t have. One of these obstacles is learning how to bleed a hydraulic clutch.

Europat Vizibleed Brake and Clutch Bleeding Kit

You won’t want to ignore the problems. The hydraulic clutch needs access to the right amount of pressure to operate. The fluid is what causes this pressure, with air creating a barrier. When air is in the clutch tubes, there won’t be enough pressure, and the clutch might not fully disengage. In understanding the need for bleeding a clutch, it’s important to firstly understand how clutches work. If you do find yourself needing to bleed your clutch repeatedly, it could indicate a bigger problem going on somewhere with your clutch.

While it is possible to bleed a clutch by yourself, we always recommend taking your car to a garage. At WhoCanFixMyCar, we’re here to help you find a trained mechanic in your area who can carry out the job and ensure you get the job done efficiently. What safety gear do I need to bleed a clutch? The clutch plate is found between the flywheel and the pressure plate inside your car’s clutch system. When the clutch pedal is pressed, the spring found in the centre of the pressure plate disengages the connection between the wheels and the transmission - it's during this time that the driver is able to change gears. Always ensure that you have the correct equipment and safety gear prior to attempting any kind of repair on your car. Step 1. Because your clutch is hydraulic, it relies on a hydraulic liquid pressure system to function. This liquid gives the clutch system the correct pressure to be able to function. If air gets into the system, the clutch system is unable to get enough pressure to be able to fully engage. How do you know if your clutch needs bleeding? Hydraulic clutches were first introduced into the automotive world as an alternative to the mechanical clutch, having fewer components that could potentially fail and need to be repaired or replaced. While many older cars still use the mechanical or cable clutch system, almost all modern vehicles from the ‘90s onwards use a hydraulic clutch system, which would be the vast majority of cars on the road today.Essentially, brake fluid is the same as clutch fluid, the only difference is that they are stored in different components of the vehicle and serve slightly different purposes to that component. While clutch fluid is used for engaging the clutch via the hydraulic clutch system, brake fluid is used for engaging the brakes via the hydraulic brake system. How frequently should I bleed my clutch? As with any form of repair done by yourself, it’s really important that you take measures to protect yourself and have the correct safety equipment at hand prior to doing the job.