Help bleeding clutch fluid

[polk county]

The clutch of my 98 ford ranger won?t disengage. I opened up the bleeder valve and nothing came out. I then filled the reservoir with brake fluid until I saw it running out of the bleeder valve. I then closed the valve and pushed the clutch 100 times. The reservoir is now full and the bleeder valve closed. I can hear fluid sloshing around when I push the clutch pedal but there is still no resistance on the clutch pedal.
Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Help bleeding clutch fluid

You have air in the system. You need to connect a bleed tube to the bleed nipple and run the tube into a container of the fluid with the level above the inlet slit. Open bleed nipple, push pedal down gently to the bottom, hold for a second then release slowly. You should hear the air bubbling out on the down stroke. Repeat process till all the air is purged from the system. Remember you need to keep the master cylinder topped up throughout the process or you will draw air back into the system.
Better still is to have a helper operate the pedal and you watch for the air bubbles and top the master cylinder up. If you do have a helper then when all air is out hold the pedal down while you tighten the bleed nipple.
Top the level up once more, check for leaks and if there are no leaks you should be all set.
I have never worked on a Ford Ranger but that is the method I have used for every hydraulic clutch I have worked on.
Good Luck and let us all know how you make out.

 

[halas]

Re: Help bleeding clutch fluid

You have air in the system. You need to connect a bleed tube to the bleed nipple and run the tube into a container of the fluid with the level above the inlet slit. Open bleed nipple, push pedal down gently to the bottom, hold for a second then release slowly. You should hear the air bubbling out on the down stroke. Repeat process till all the air is purged from the system. Remember you need to keep the master cylinder topped up throughout the process or you will draw air back into the system.
Better still is to have a helper operate the pedal and you watch for the air bubbles and top the master cylinder up. If you do have a helper then when all air is out hold the pedal down while you tighten the bleed nipple.
Top the level up once more, check for leaks and if there are no leaks you should be all set.
I have never worked on a Ford Ranger but that is the method I have used for every hydraulic clutch I have worked on.
Good Luck and let us all know how you make out.

Good advice, I only like to add that it might be a good idea to close the bleeder valve each time the pedal is released.
Yell: go and reopen the valve when the helper is pushing the clutch again. Repeat until all air bubbles are gone. (about a dozen strokes usually).

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Help bleeding clutch fluid

Good advice, I only like to add that it might be a good idea to close the bleeder valve each time the pedal is released.
Yell: go and reopen the valve when the helper is pushing the clutch again. Repeat until all air bubbles are gone. (about a dozen strokes usually).

Agree with that if it is a 2 man operation. If it is being performed by one person then you have to rely on the bleed tube valve not letting anything back in.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Help bleeding clutch fluid

The fact that the reservoir was empty suggests that the seals in the master cylinder or slave cylinder (or both) are shot. That's where he fluid went.
If your cylinder bores are not pitted or corroded, you can just ket a seal kit and replace them. Not a particularly tough DIY.
Ken had the right solo method to bleed, just take it slowly and constantly check that the Master cyl reservoir does not go too low or air will get into the system and undo all your work....then you must start again.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Help bleeding clutch fluid

If you have not replaced the slave cylinder in the clutch assembly or any other part of the hydraulic system for the clutch. My guess would be that the clutch slave cylinder or clutch master cylinder needs to be replaced. As of for bleeding the system gravity bleed first then have a helper like stated above. The only thing that I have found that helps is give it a few seconds between bleeding's. This helps the fluid fill in the master cylinder as a clutch master is not the same as a brake master.