Bleeding Clutch

[alcal]

I see from my service book that I should change the clutch fluid in my Sigma 140 every two years.

Any tips for doing this ?   Access to the bleed nipple looks bleeding tight from above and below.

Is it me or the search facility on this site that's completely useless ?

 

[andyl]

Personally my view is if it works leave it alone. I can see the need to change the brake fluid though.

Yes I have to agree the search does not seem to isolate what I am searching for!

[MADMALC]

It is just the same as bleeding the brakes.

If you can not get a spanner on the nipple to loosen then use a socket on an extension to 'crack' it. Then a spanner for the open/close process. If still in trouble feed the tube down the centre of the socket and use the socket with your fingers to open/close during bleeding then tighten with the extension when done.

 

[Jonathan Kay]

I'd search like this: 

• https://www.google.com/search?q=site:lotus7.club+clutch+bleed+sigma
• https://www.google.com/search?q=site:lotus7.club+clutch+fluid+sigma

Do those return anything more useful?

Jonathan

[alcal]

Thanks Jonathon. There was some useful stuff there but why couldn't I access it from this site?

Looking again at the bleed nipple, it has a plastic open/close key which I can just about reach from above. As long as this hasn't seized I should be able to manage.

[aerobod - near CYYC]

If you have the 8mm bleed nipple just poking through the bellhousing, a long reach socket with 1/2 to 2/3 of the middle of the body ground away allows the bleed tube to be fitted while still being able to loosen or tighten the nipple, this is the one I adapted:

[Jim 123]

Aerobod a work of genius! 

[Blue C7]

I think one of the reasons for changing the fluid is moisture. You can buy a tester and check the moister content (also useful for the tin top)

[alcal]

That's clever aerobod. Mine doesn't have a conventional nipple though - it's a black plastic device with a little open/close lever.

Blue C7 - I think you are on to something. I had been cautioned not to rely on a moisture content meter for brake fluid as it doesn't accurately measure boiling point and this is safety critical. Ferodo sell a device to measure boiling point but I think it costs about £800. I can't see that the clutch fluid will boil however so I think I'll invest in a new gadget.