Dumb clutch question...

[jclanin]

Hi all,

I loosened my clutch cable at the resovior to move it slightly and pumped the clutch lever while it was loose - like a dumbass.

Now of course I have now clutch pressure since it spewed a bit of fluid. I've tightened back down and still no pressure.

What do I do?

thanks,

Jim

[towerworker]

You've gotten a little air in the system. Not a big problem. You will have to bleed the clutch master cylinder. You will need the bleeder nipple from BMW. Here is a link to a site with lots of help and specifically addresses what you need to do.

http://home.mindspring.com/~jabrooks/


Wayne

[jclanin]

You've gotten a little air in the system. Not a big problem. You will have to bleed the clutch master cylinder. You will need the bleeder nipple from BMW. Here is a link to a site with lots of help and specifically addresses what you need to do.

http://home.mindspring.com/~jabrooks/


Wayne

Thanks Wayne,

I feel like an idiot - and no riding this weekend is my punishment. grrrr....

JC

[Boxer]

You don't really even need to bleed it. If you take off the clutch fluid reservoir cover and tilt the bars to where the clutch side is highest...not allowing fluid to overflow out of course...the air bubbles will migrate quite easily to the reservoir. Every now and then come out and VERY slightly pull the clutch handle just the tiniest bit and the bubbles will pop up and out.

The clutch fluid system is not under near as much pressure as the brakes and with the slave cylinder down low, that air just comes to the top very easily without ever bleeding the line with that nipple. This I learned from Rob.

But I'm a bit confused by your statement about loosening the clutch cable. Do you mean the banjo connection of the fluid line?

[jclanin]

You don't really even need to bleed it. If you take off the clutch fluid reservoir cover and tilt the bars to where the clutch side is highest...not allowing fluid to overflow out of course...the air bubbles will migrate quite easily to the reservoir. Every now and then come out and VERY slightly pull the clutch handle just the tiniest bit and the bubbles will pop up and out.

The clutch fluid system is not under near as much pressure as the brakes and with the slave cylinder down low, that air just comes to the top very easily without ever bleeding the line with that nipple. This I learned from Rob.

But I'm a bit confused by your statement about loosening the clutch cable. Do you mean the banjo connection of the fluid line?

Yes, that's what I loosened. Thanks - I have already started bleeding -- keeps coming out to the bleeder tube with bubbles. I've gone through almost 6fl oz of fluid at this point? Normal? Keep going?

Jim

[Boxer]

You will always get bubbles out the bleeder. Rob explained this to me, but I can't remember why. Also when bleeding that way, you can never get all the fluid out of the slave, unless you pump the clutch with some kind of cover over the reservoir to keep it from spewing to the ceiling. Rob's technique included a series of pumping then bleeding, pumping, bleeding, over and over for about 10 cycles to get all the old fluid out of the slave. But that's not necessary if you're just trying to get the air out.

I'd just let it set there for a while, then touch the clutch lever slightly every now and then...to let the air out.

[jclanin]

You will always get bubbles out the bleeder. Rob explained this to me, but I can't remember why. Also when bleeding that way, you can never get all the fluid out of the slave, unless you pump the clutch with some kind of cover over the reservoir to keep it from spewing to the ceiling. Rob's technique included a series of pumping then bleeding, pumping, bleeding, over and over for about 10 cycles to get all the old fluid out of the slave. But that's not necessary if you're just trying to get the air out.

I'd just let it set there for a while, then touch the clutch lever slightly every now and then...to let the air out.

I finally got it all worked out. I've never done that before and not quite as intuitive as I would have thought... But your post was extremely helpful -- thanks so much.

JC