MG Car Repair: MG Clutch bleed problem, slow strokes, clutch pedal

Question
hi Howard - I have replaced both slave and master cylinders. When I bleed as per instruction using clear hose immersed into bottle with fluid, and partner pumps clutch, the fluid is coming out in spurts with so much air in between fluid ( hose is clear ) taking forever ( dozens of strokes ) and I can't seem to get it to prime. Ended up filling top resevoir 3 times. Tried pushing the slave piston to assist pushing out fluid, but never can get steady stream of fluid without big gaps of air. Do I have a vapour lock in the slave? help! any suggestions?
Thanks- Paul

Answer
Hi Paul,

There are several methods used to bleed a clutch as it can be a pain as you have found.

There are even two methods using a pressure bleeder but most individuals don't have this equipment so we will cover the other methods.

The standard method like brake bleeding is often not effective because the line from the master to the slave is large and a bubble of air tends to move down the line as you bleed but as soon as you close the bleeder valve the bubble just rises up the line.

So I will cover two other methods that seem to work better.

First method is easy, just fill the reservoir and leave the cap open and open the bleeder valve and put your clear plastic line in a jar or can BUT DO NOT PUT THE END OF THE PLASTIC HOSE DOWN INTO THE BOTTOM. Leave the end up high in the can so it does not contact the fluid in the jar or can. Do NOT touch the clutch pedal. Let it drip until the reservoir is down at least half, then close the bleeder on the slave and fill the reservoir and pump the pedal in long slow strokes to see if you have a pedal. DON'T let the reservoir go empty or you will have to start over.

The second method is called "Reverse Bleeding" and here you must only have about half full reservoir and bleeder closed. Take a pry bar and force the clutch arm at the slave cylinder so as to push the slave piston into it's bore all the way and hold it there. While it is held in have someone push on the clutch pedal and it should push your pry bar back. Then hold the pry bar steady in that position and have the person let the clutch pedal up slowly and don't push in on the pry bar just hold it where it stopped and have the person pump the pedal in long slow strokes until your pry bar is all the way back and remove the pry bar and have the person slowly pump the pedal a few times in long slow strokes and if it feels good you are finished.