Image
  • HOME
  • Happy Camping
    • A Westfalia Tour
    • Using the Westfalia Refrigerator
    • Using the Westfalia Stove
    • Planning a Roadtrip, Part 1
    • Planning a Roadtrip, Part 2
    • Packing for the Road
    • The Routine
    • 10 Great Van Camping Accessories
    • Using RV Levelers
    • Staying Cool On Summer Road Trips
    • Winter Van Camping
  • Journeys
    • Pacific Northwest 2
    • Seaway Trail to Nova Scotia
    • Superior State of Mind
    • Southwest by Westy
    • Great Northern Roadtrip
  • Workshop
    • Maintenance & Repair
      • Workshop Manuals
      • Essential Vanagon Tools
      • Emergency Vanagon Tools
      • Preparing Your Vanagon Westfalia for Summer
      • Winterize Your Westfalia for Storage
      • Fire Extinguishers for Your Camper Van
      • Westfalia Pop-Up Roof Refurbishment
      • Replacing the Vanagon Rear Hatch Struts
      • Hydraulic Clutch System Overview
        • Clutch Master Cylinder Replacement
        • Clutch Slave Cylinder Replacement
        • Bleeding the Clutch Hydraulic System
    • Modifications
      • Replacing the Westfalia Tent Window Screen
      • Replace the Vanagon Cigarette Lighter with a USB Port
      • Add a Cabinet Lid Support
      • Using a Vanagon Engine Heater
      • Diesel Vanagon Coolant Expansion Tank Bracket
  • Product Reviews
    • Vanagon Workshop Manuals
    • Westfalia Closet Organizer
    • ZFLIN Car Fan
    • “Little Buddy” Propane Heater
    • GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Folding Camp Fry Pan
    • Pioneer MVH-X580BS Stereo
    • Collapsible Gray Water Container
    • Thermos Sipp Travel Mug
    • Sports Imports Folding Cup & Beverage Holder
    • ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Mobile Tablet
    • Samsung Galaxy Note Pro Tablet
    • ZeroLemon SolarJuice Dual-USB Portable Charger
  • Galleries
    • Pacific Northwest 2
    • Southwest by Westy
    • Great Northern Roadtrip
    • Nova Scotia
    • Assorted VW Shows
  • Resources
    • VW Campouts
    • Discussion Forums
    • Mechanics & Volunteers
    • Vendors
    • Personal Sites
  • Store
  • Blog
    • A Westfalia Reunion
    • Al Fresco Acoustic
    • Not Your Father’s Craftsman
  • About

Bleeding the Vanagon Clutch Hydraulic System

By Jeffrey Lee 

Related Topics:

Hydraulic Clutch System Overview
Clutch Master Cylinder Replacement
Clutch Slave Cylinder Replacement

Vacuum bleeder pumpAfter replacing any clutch hydraulic components, air will have been introduced into the system, and this will prevent proper functioning of the clutch mechanism, so it must be bled. Start by carefully topping-up the fluid reservoir in the dash with fresh fluid. Unlike the brake hydraulic system, the clutch evidently cannot be bled simply by pumping the pedal; the air bubbles will only compress and expand instead of being forced out, so Volkswagen specifies that a vacuum-pump-actuated bleeder be used. The Haynes manual states one CAN use the usual bleeding techniques, so who knows? I’m also told that one can simply leave the rear of the van raised and the bleeder screw left open overnight, allowing air bubbles to work themselves out, but I have not tried this method, and remain dubious.

I purchased a vacuum bleeder pump kit which can be used for both clutch & brake hydraulic systems, as well as testing vacuum hoses.

  1. Atop the slave cylinder is a bleeder screw, protected by the rubber dust cap. Remove the cap, loosen the screw 1/2 turn, and attach the hose of the vacuum bleeder, according to the bleeder kit’s instructions.
  2. Actuate the bleeder pump several times, until fluid begins to flow through the tubing and into the bleeding reservoir. NOTE: If the hydraulic fluid has not been changed in recent years, it will be dark or nearly black, indicating contamination by dirt and water; this is perhaps what caused your components to fail in the first place. Volkswagen (and most other auto manufacturers, for that matter) recommends brake/clutch fluid be replaced every two years, as outlined here.
  3. Continue drawing fluid until it is clear of dirt, moisture, and air bubbles, periodically pausing to check the level in the dash reservoir and adding fresh fluid if necessary. Do not allow this level to fall below the ‘MIN’ indicator, or air will again be introduced into the system, and you will have to start bleeding all over again.
    Remember, you’ve got about 10 feet of 3-4mm line to bleed, so this may take a full 12 oz. bottle or more.
  4. When satisfied all the air has been bled from the system, tighten the slave cylinder bleeder and replace the dust cap. Fire up the engine and see if you can engage/disengage the transmission. If the gears clash or refuse to engage, you probably still have air in the line; re-bleed and try again. If all seems well, drive down off the ramps and take her out on the road to run through all the gears. You may find that within a couple hundred miles of driving over the next few weeks, the gears will begin to complain. This probably means you still have some air bubbles lurking in your line, so bleed again until it works right.

Check with your local municipality regarding the proper disposal of your used brake fluid. Mine requested that I add it right to my used motor oil and recycle it all together. Others may prefer that you keep the brake fluid separate from other automotive fluids and dispose of it as a hazardous material.

Even if you have failed during this process to keep the fluid level in the reservoir topped-up, as long as you haven’t depressed the brake pedal air should not have been introduced into the braking system, so the brakes will not need to be bled. However, if the fluid is more than two years old, and since you’ve already gotten your tools dirty and probably stained your pants, now would be a good time to bleed your brakes.

What do you think? Leave a question or comment below, and use the social links to share with friends!

You may also dig these!

Vanagon Clutch Slave Cylinder Replacement Vanagon Hydraulic Clutch System Overview Vanagon Clutch Master Cylinder Replacement Replacing the Westfalia Tent Window Screen Replacing the Vanagon Rear Hatch Struts
No Comments
Categories : Clutch, Maintenance & Repair, Workshop
Tags : Bleeding, Clutch Slave Cylinder

Leave a Reply

Click here to cancel reply.


Workshop articles

  • Product Reviews: Vanagon Workshop Manuals
  • Essential Vanagon Tools
  • Your Emergency On-Board Vanagon Tool Kit
  • Replacing the Vanagon Rear Hatch Struts
  • Vanagon Hydraulic Clutch System
  • Westfalia Pop-Up Roof Refurbishment
  • Using a Vanagon Engine Heater
  • Add a Cabinet Lid Support
  • Diesel Vanagon Coolant Expansion Tank Bracket

Recent Articles

  • Dometic RM182 Refrigerator Instructions
  • Using the Vanagon Westfalia Refrigerator
  • Original Vanagon Westfalia Toilet & Cabinet
  • Vanagon or Westfalia Gift Ideas
  • Lake Superior Circumnavigation 2

Topics

Search Camp Westfalia

Camp Westfalia Merch Store


Unique and custom VW Bus & Vanagon camping designs, available on a variety of tee shirts, hoodies, mugs, and more.

Wear your love of VWs and van-camping with pride!

SHOP

Get the Camp Westfalia newsletter!

* indicates required



Email Format

View previous campaigns.


CampWestfalia-Sidebar-Graphic-LifeIsRoadtrip2

Amazon Associates Disclosure

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Camp Westfalia
Copyright © 2018 All Rights Reserved
CONTACT
Advertising Disclosure, Privacy Policy



Camp Westfalia is in no way affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen Group or Westfalia-Werke. All brand and model names are trademarks of their respective owners. The use of "Volkswagen," "VW," "Vanagon," "Transporter," or other Volkswagen model names or part numbers, or "Westfalia," is for reference and application purposes only. No inference should be drawn that there is any connection either direct or implied between Camp Westfalia and Volkswagen Group or Westfalia-Werke.
0
0
0
0
0