Date:         Tue, 2 Feb 2010 18:24:24 -0700
Reply-To:     Gregory Smith <gfs@GREGORYFSMITH.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gregory Smith <gfs@GREGORYFSMITH.COM>
Subject:      Re: No Clutch....
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

>---- greg@pottsfamily.ca wrote:
thanks, sounds like this is a job I can do myself (with mywife'shelp).
All I need to do is find the slave cylinder and thebleedervalve. I
assume I bleed it all out, then refill the reservoir,pumping until I get
fluid out the valve again. Anything else to it?Thanks,David Mc

Actually, you have to keep the reservoir full, and check occasionally as
you bleed it. Best to put a small clear hose on the clutch slave
bleeder screw and bleed it into a glass jar. This helps you see when
it's clean and has no bubbles. If you drain it empty first you will
have a lot of air in the system and will also have a hard time getting
pressure again.

I usually advise folks to use a pressure bleeder, but for the clutch the
problem of wearing out the seals by traveling into unused territory in
the bore just doesn't apply, since you usually always pump the clutch
pedal through it's full travel in use. For the brakes, the pedal
usually doesn't travel that far and corrosion can form in the bore.


Gregory Smith
'88 Vanagon GL

Gregory Smith

Smith Design Studio
Small Building Company
Olympia, WA
360-239-0429
gregoryfsmith.com