Q: Bleeding Hydraulic Clutch Line w/ Broken Bleeder Valve

asked by on January 03, 2017

Hello, My clutch is "spongy" and it seems the best thing to do is to bleed the clutch line via the slave cylinder. However, the truck is rusty and when I went to open the bleed valve on the internal slave cylinder and the bleeder valve twisted right off. It is not leaking (thankfully) but the clutch problem still remains. I think there is a leak somewhere in the hydraulic line because I need to periodically top off the clutch and brake fluid reservoirs. I would possible have to replace the slave cylinder which would cost a fortune at a repair shop because they would have to drop the transmission to get to it. Any thoughts on what you think the problem might be/what I should do to remedy the problem without spending thousands of dollars? Thanks!

My car has 177000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

You most likely have a leaking slave cylinder inside the transmission clutch housing. This is why you are loosing fluid. This will cause air to get into the hydraulic system and cause the spongy pedal. Have the transmission removed and complete clutch replaced along with the hydraulic cylinder and master cylinder kit.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Emergency brake will not let off.
The 1992 Honda Civic was the second car I owned and I know it rather well. The information you provided is limited but I will still try to put you on the right path. If your parking brake is released...
Air conditioning only gets cold when car moving
The a/c fan may be the cause on this vehicle or the controller for the fan. A check to see if the fan motor is getting proper power from the module is the first test needed. I recommend having a...
Tire making grinding noise while in motion
Hello. It sounds like you have a bad wheel bearing. Worn wheel bearings usually make a rotational grinding or growling noise that is proportional to vehicle speed. Wheel bearings are very important since they allow the wheels to rotate and...
Ticking when car starts up but then fades away after minutes.
Hi there. Sometimes an engine will tick when it's first starting due to a lack of lubrication on top of the motor. The ticking sound is commonly caused by opening and closing valves or rocking arms. This could mean the...
Cam Position Actuator problem - 1999 Volvo S80
Hello I believe you are referring to the variable valve timing or camshaft position actuator/solenoid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-variable-valve-timing-vvt-solenoid), which varies the camshaft timing relative to the crankshaft position. This feature enhances engine performance, mileage, and lowers emissions. If you are able to...
Why does my Echo rough idles at a red light or stop sign?
Hello, What you are describing is a common sign of a dirty or faulty idle control valve. The idle air control valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idle-control-valve-replacement) is a small valve on the engine's intake system that reads the air intake as it comes...
Engine
If the engine is revving up but the car does not move then you have a transmission slipping problem. If it has a manual transmission then it may be the clutch. Either way it is a transmission problem and will...
While driving my battery light and engine light came on and steering wheel was almost locked, had to strong arm it to barely turn
The serpentine belt that drives the power steering pump should be checked. Even if the belt looks OK, and is tight, all the rotating elements (pulleys and accessories) should be checked for binding. If there is a problem in that...
Will timing belt make check engine light come on
If the timing belt breaks or if it has skipped a tooth, this can cause multiple check engine light codes to be stored in your vehicle's computer system. This will then illuminate the check engine light. before having any parts...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Ford F-150
The The best-selling pickup truck in the US for over 30 years, the Ford F-150 has a lot to offer in reliability, durability, and the features that buyers want in a truck. The 2012 F-150 is not only a tough...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Caterer
If If you are in the catering business, you need a reliable vehicle that will provide you with what you need to transport your food, linens, and other supplies. Generally speaking, you're better off buying gently used, because you will...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Clutch Switch
If your manual car is starting without the clutch pushed in or is not starting at all, you may need to replace the clutch switch.