flush the clutch?

[Ron Helmuth]

Dealership says the clutch fluid is black....

recommending a clutch flush.

Brake fluid goes in the clutch? I did a search but I was not real productive...

Is it as easy as opening a bleeder valve and pouring in new fluid?

thanks guys

 

[techno]

I'm not familiar with the clutch system on the 4Runners (since mine is an auto) but when I flushed the clutch on my old Nissan I bought a small hand operated double acting pump with a 1lt reservoir and I hooked it up to the slave cylinder bleed nipple and reverse flushed the system. I took the master cylinder cap off and packed the whole area around the cylinder with rags and newspaper to soak up all the old fluid that was being forced out. Once the new fluid appeared, flush complete and no bleeding required.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

thanks techno !

that sounds easy enough .

I think I can even handle that one. Thanks for the picture so I know what to buy.

So the brake fluid from the master cylinder connects to the clutch, is what I am gathering?

If so- shouldn't the clutch be flushed through whenever a brake flush is done?

 

[techno]

Every manual transmission car I've owned with a hydraulic clutch had two master cylinders, one for the brake and one for the clutch. They are independent systems. Again, I'm not familiar with 4Runner system, but I can check my fsm tonight for more info.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

I understand now techno a guy at work is talking me through it.

He confirms same-clutch has its' own master cylinder.

I will do the backflush method you suggest to eliminate possibility of air bubbles.

Between you and toytech76- you guys have all the tech answers I ever need.

I owe you two big time. Come on out here and collect.

Really a true delight to post a specific question and get a specific answer thanks very much.

 

[techno]

I owe you two big time. Come on out here and collect.

I'm in Denver 2-3 times a year, take me wheeling and we'll call it even! Actually, those pics you took for me when I got my ARB bumper done helped me a great deal. The mechanic refused to believe there was a washer tank cover at all until I showed him your pictures.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

easy schmeezy

I'm in Denver 2-3 times a year, take me wheeling and we'll call it even! Actually, those pics you took for me when I got my ARB bumper done helped me a great deal. The mechanic refused to believe there was a washer tank cover at all until I showed him your pictures.

So easy to help you out in the most minor of ways. Let me know when you are coming and we'll find a place you have not been.

 

[Seattle4Runner]

ron -
i posted about the same issue a while back, but still haven't flushed the clutch yet because my technical know-how is not so great.
if you take photos of the process, i would really appreciate them.
thanks,
christian

 

[Ron Helmuth]

glad to do so

ron -
i posted about the same issue a while back, but still haven't flushed the clutch yet because my technical know-how is not so great.
if you take photos of the process, i would really appreciate them.
thanks,
christian

Seattle-Christian sorry I did not find your thread- I would have just bumped you to the top and taken it and ran with it.

Glad to take photos-it is the photo hosting and all that work that gives me the blues. I will gladly link you to gifs or jpegs via private email. I was going to take a photo of the bleeder and it's location anyways, glad to share with you.

This will not be hard. I crawled under mine last night and found the bleeder fitting. It has a small rubber nipple on it to protect it.

If you have not done that step I encourage you to do that. It will take a #10 metric wrench. I believe the term is a box end wrench-a full circle wrench that fits the nut- is the best type so you do not round off the bleeder nut fitting. Go ahead and take that nipple off and crack open the bleeder and let a drop or two of clutch/brake fluid out.

Once you see how easy the fitting is to get at -you will formulate your own ideas-I like the idea of letting gravity do the work so I am planning to bleed at the bottom while my son pours in fluid into the reservoir on top. My other son will push in the clutch and hold it in to help the draining. Before the clutch comes up off the floor the bleeder valve is then closed so it does not try to suck back air into the system.


I like technos idea but I will make a mess of it under my hood so I prefer to make the mess underneath the vehicle. A piece of clear hose slid on to the bleeder fitting would enable the dripping fluid to collect to a clear old water bottle for easy disposal. This way you can watch the discolored fluid change to good clean color and know the fluid has all gone through the clutch.

Any reason this will not work?

 

[Seattle4Runner]

ron-
i'm out in WY for the next week, with limited internet access. if you take photos, please send them to casidor at gmail.
thanks for the help. the dealer in seattle wanted $150 for the clutch flush, BTW.
thanks again,
C

 

[Ron Helmuth]

sending you a message now Seattle

This clutch flush went just fine. I have pictures now and am sending them to you Seattle.

Guys- this is a piece of cake.

Do not pay a dealership to do this.

I am an absolute moron with tools and this was simple simple simple.

 

[brisamh]

Hey there! I have a similar issue and will need to do the same, i too would LOVE any photos you sent to Seattle4Runner -- Fellow Seattlite needing help over here

- Brisa