Clutch bleeding

[Whitechameleon]

I am about to bleed up my freshly rebuilt front calipers after replacing the rotors, pads and front flexis, but i have a question.
I know the master cyclinder operates the brakes and clutch so will i need to bleed the clutch as well as the brakes. and if so how?

Thanks chaps.

[Decolliber]

I am no expert, but I would say yes. I always bleed the clutch when I bleed the brakes. It is a pain to get to the bleed valve. You have to lie on your back underneath the car and reach up to the top of the clutch housing, open it with a 7 or 8mm spanner, and close your mouth and eyes. Motive Products bleeder highly recommended.

[Whitechameleon]

Can i just do it at the same time as the brakes or do i need to do something different?

Thanks.

[Nine9six]

Its best to bleed the whole system if you are changing out the fluid. Bleeding the clutch is a PITA because the bleed valve is located as Decolliber states. Dont do the close your eyes and mouth method though. Put a bleed tube and a catch bottle from the valve.
You'll need two people. One to depress and pull up the clutch pedal, and one to open and close the bleed valve.
Have the wife do the open and closing of the bleed valve. My back hurt the last time I took the position under the car :-)

[Decolliber]

I do the brakes first and then the clutch, since the latter is messier, but I suppose you could do the clutch first if it is more convenient. My recollection is that you need to hold down the clutch pedal while bleeding (I use a piece of wood), if you are using a power bleeder; otherwise you do it the same as with brakes, having your assistant push down the clutch while you open the bleed valve, close valve & release clutch, etc.

[Whitechameleon]

Thanks chaps,

Just seen this http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_clutch_cable/911_clutch_cable.htm and now i'm more confused than ever.

Does my car have hydraulic or cable operated clutch or does it have both??

Excuse me if this is a stupid question.

[Decolliber]

Originally posted by Nine9six
Dont do the close your eyes and mouth method though. Put a bleed tube and a catch bottle from the valve.

I find it hard to use a bleed tube up there because I can only get one hand in the area at once, and when I turn the bleed valve, the bleed tube falls off - hence the close eyes & mouth defense. But now that you mention it, maybe I could lie sideways under the car and get both hands up there, one to turn the valve and one to hold the tube in place. Will try that next time.

[Decolliber]

Originally posted by Whitechameleon

Does my car have hydraulic or cable operated clutch or does it have both??

er, um ... I think you have a cable actuated clutch, so oops, never mind ...

[Whitechameleon]

Thanks mate, I feel much better now.

[morrisjm1]

Might be a good time to adjust the cable, now that the car's up on stands.

[Whitechameleon]

Thanks, i will.

[phatnine11]

Just 1 question, what year 911 do you have?? Here in the States, 911s started using hydraulic clutch systems with the '87 model, G50 tranny. If you have a 915 tranny ('86 or older) you cannot bleed the clutch system, there is nothing to bleed. If you do have a G50, look up the procedures on this website. Do not let the reservoir level drop below 3/4 full. You will allow air into the clutch system and will have to start over again (bleeding the clutch).
Good luck,
Phatnine11

[ianc]

While it's true that the G50 clutches are hydraulic and share the same fluid reservoir with the brakes, it is merely recommended to bleed both at the same time, not a necessity.

ianc