Clutch Bleeding With a Power Bleeder

[robdelorenzo]

This is probably a dumb question, but since I have been unable to figure it out, I will ask.
When I flush the brakes and the clutch on my 02 Base with a Motiv Black Label Power Bleeder, do I need someone to hold either pedal down while doing the bleed?
I am pretty sure that I don't, which is the point of the power bleeder, but I am unsure about the clutch pedal.
Do I just cover the bleed valve with the hose, loosen it, and wait for the new color fluid to flow through, then tighten it back up?
Does the clutch pedal need to be pressed to the floor while doing this by either another person or a 2x4?
Or do I leave the clutch pedal alone and just do the flush?
That's the only part that's not clear to me.
This is the first brake change since I bought the car and I am flushing out the fluid, since I don't know the condition of it.
It seems pretty straightforward otherwise, but there are gaps in the spaces between The Bentley Book and The 101 Book.
That's where this place shines!
Thanks again!

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by robdelorenzo

This is probably a dumb question, but since I have been unable to figure it out, I will ask.
When I flush the brakes and the clutch on my 02 Base with a Motiv Black Label Power Bleeder, do I need someone to hold either pedal down while doing the bleed?
I am pretty sure that I don't, which is the point of the power bleeder, but I am unsure about the clutch pedal.
Do I just cover the bleed valve with the hose, loosen it, and wait for the new color fluid to flow through, then tighten it back up?
Does the clutch pedal need to be pressed to the floor while doing this by either another person or a 2x4?
Or do I leave the clutch pedal alone and just do the flush?
That's the only part that's not clear to me.
This is the first brake change since I bought the car and I am flushing out the fluid, since I don't know the condition of it.
It seems pretty straightforward otherwise, but there are gaps in the spaces between The Bentley Book and The 101 Book.
That's where this place shines!
Thanks again!

Yes, the clutch pedal needs to be held down to the floor while flushing the system; could be by a person or a pedal holding tool, but it needs to be held down.

[robdelorenzo]

Thanks JFP, you always come through!

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by robdelorenzo

Thanks JFP, you always come through!

And don't be surprised when it stays on the floor after you finish, just pull it up once and you are ready to go......

[Boxtar]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Yes, the clutch pedal needs to be held down to the floor while flushing the system; could be by a person or a pedal holding tool, but it needs to be held down.

Can you explain why? Never touched the pedal when using a power bleeder, and gotten good results. First time I’ve seen a suggestion to hold down the pedal, so I’m curious. But always interested in learning something new. Thanks!

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by Boxtar

Can you explain why? Never touched the pedal when using a power bleeder, and gotten good results.

Boxtar,

I am not sure the reason, but according to the shop manual you have to do it with the pedal down (as mentioned by JFP).

However, the manual also says to do it for a period of 15-20 seconds.. and needless to say, I put into the Power Bleeder bottle 2 one liter bottles of fluid to avoid the risk of pushing air into the system..

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Boxtar

Can you explain why? Never touched the pedal when using a power bleeder, and gotten good results. First time I’ve seen a suggestion to hold down the pedal, so I’m curious. But always interested in learning something new. Thanks!

The method recommended in the factory service manual states that this is required to assure fully flushing the system.

Flushing the system without doing this may leave behind a small amount of contaminated fluid in the clutch master.

[robdelorenzo]

JFP for the win!

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by robdelorenzo

JFP for the win!

+ 1

Yes, JFP for President..

[Boxtar]

Thanks guys.