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SW20 Clutch Master Cylinder - to bench bleed or not ?

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TwoDogs
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2015/10/28 11:25:24 (permalink)
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SW20 Clutch Master Cylinder - to bench bleed or not ?

 Hi All,
just wondering if the SW20 clutch master cylinder needs to be bled.
In many articles on hydraulic systems, it seems many/all master cylinders (clutch and brake) have space where an air bubble can sit, causing the sponge and poor operation. That place is usually at the end of the cylinder beyond the line out.
Youtube clips show how to remove the MC and bench bleed it, but when I look at the SW20 clutch MC, the Line Out to the clutch appears to be at the end, right above the spot where a bubble might sit. Looks to me to be a solution to the this common problem. Does this arrangement nullify the need to ever "bench" bleed?
 Opinions please.  Thanks
I read another thread here where the solution given was bench bleed the MC, followed by 30mins of line bleeding (traditional 2 man pump the clutch pedal method).  If my above hypothesis is correct, then it was the 30 mins of line bleeding that really fixed this other chaps sponge. Yes? No?
cheers all.
#1


4 Replies Related Threads

    EssDub
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    Re: SW20 Clutch Master Cylinder - to bench bleed or not ? 2015/10/28 12:03:01 (permalink)
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    I just reverse-bleed the entire system.  Removing the bleed nipple on the slave and using a piece of hollowed out threaded rod, inject the fluid in from there and the air comes out at the MC.  Works a treat.

    Currently...
    '03 Spyder 6MT - T28 inc...
    ------------------------------
    Previously...
    '00 FD3S
    '94 SW20 Bathurst R
    '88 AW11
    '92 SW20 G-Limited
    '90 SW20 G
    '91 SW20 Mongrel
    '94 G Limited T-Bar
    '92 GT-S Turbo 
     
     
    #2
    TwoDogs
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    Re: SW20 Clutch Master Cylinder - to bench bleed or not ? 2015/10/30 15:16:09 (permalink)
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    Thanks EssDub, just wondering if the reverse feed clears any MC air bubbles caught somewhere, if any, and why a forward feed does not. ?
    Still if you look at the MC it looks like it is designed so that bench bleeding is not nec, but what would I know ??
     
    #3

    EssDub
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    Re: SW20 Clutch Master Cylinder - to bench bleed or not ? 2015/10/30 16:11:32 (permalink)
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    By pumping the fluid in from the slave, back up the system, it purges itself of any air through the MC reservoir (with the cap off)
     

    Currently...
    '03 Spyder 6MT - T28 inc...
    ------------------------------
    Previously...
    '00 FD3S
    '94 SW20 Bathurst R
    '88 AW11
    '92 SW20 G-Limited
    '90 SW20 G
    '91 SW20 Mongrel
    '94 G Limited T-Bar
    '92 GT-S Turbo 
     
     
    #4
    TwoDogs
    MR2 Aficionado
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    • Joined: 2013/09/20 10:48:25
    • Status: offline
    Re: SW20 Clutch Master Cylinder - to bench bleed or not ? 2015/10/30 16:57:44 (permalink)
    0
    I can see the benefit of pumping the fluid+ air upwards to the reservoir, and I'm sure that does work well.
    What I don't understand is that reluctant air bubble hiding in a nook as the fluid goes passed, like standing in a doorway as the Pamplona bull runners pass by. That bubble is the problem and it's solved by removing the master cylinder and re orienting it so the bubble comes out of its little hideaway into the main flow and out to the reservoir. I look at the SW20 clutch MC and can't see a nook for a bubble to hide.
    Check this clip - it is an excellent demo of what I'm talking about, and notice the bubble isn't in the main flow.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bngJkM_vkUE
    #5
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