Re: [alfa] 69 spider clutch hydraulics question

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@xxxxxx>]

Hi Robert:

You never mentioned that you're actually having a problem with the 
operation of your clutch, only that you're perceiving air in the system 
during a bleed.  I've seen air bubbles in the bleeder hose that have 
nothing to do with air being in the system.  It's possible that you're just 
seeing air leaking past the bleeder screw threads.  Try a few wraps of 
Teflon plumbers tape on the bleeder screw threads, and see if that doesn't 
change things.  Further, you might pay a visit to a shop that sells 
aquarium supplies and pick up a one-way valve for use in airline 
tubing.  Install that valve in your bleeder hose, obviously allowing flow 
only out of the bleeder, and you'll be able to bleed the system without 
closing the bleeder screw after every pump of the pedal.  It's a poor man's 
SpeedBleeder, and actually works perfectly for bleeding the clutch or brake 
system.

Regarding the pressure bleeder (from Motive Products, or similar), nothing 
is more convenient, although a pressure bleeder won't really work any 
better than what I've described above.  Further, a pressure bleeder isn't 
at all useful for the brake system on a old Alfa that has a brake MC 
reservoir with the three caps, as those reservoirs can't be 
pressurized.  You can always replace the old reservoir with one of the 
newer single-cap types, which I've done on my '74 Spider.  The clutch MC 
reservoir has no such issues, as it lacks a fluid level sensor.

If after all that, if you're actually having trouble with the clutch 
operation due to air leaking into the system, I'd start looking for real 
leaks in the system, and swap out cylinders to track the problem down.

Regards,

Dean
Lutz, FL
'74 & '87 Spider Veloce's


At 05:52 PM 8/16/2004, you wrote:

> Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 12:22:44 -0700
> From: "Robert Watson" <robert_watson100@domain.elided>
> Subject: [alfa] 69 spider clutch hydraulics question
>
> Hi All,
>
> I have a 69 spider with the hydraulic clutch. I have replaced the Clutch
> Master Cylinder, Hose and Salve Cylinder all within the past 2 years.
> There are no leaks.
>
> The system is some getting air into it, I bleed it but there is a
> constant stream of air bubbles (I have the nipple oriented at correctly
> on top pf the slave cylinder, so that is not an issue).  Even after
> extended periods of blending the clutch (via the peddle method) the
> bubble continue.
>
> I am trying to determine what to do to allow me to bleed the system of
> this air? It seems like new air is getting into the system every time the
> peddle is dressed? I am not sure how this happens since there are no
> leaks?
>
> I contacted the supplier that I purchased these from and they said I
> should replace the parts again or buy the pressure bleeder they sell to
> see if that solves the problem. I dont feel like just swapping out the
> master cylinder/hose/slave cylinder, because of how new they are.
>
> I also have an issue with buying the pressure bleeder because even if the
> pressure bleeder does get all the air out, it seems like something is
> going on that is putting new air into the system, so getting it all out
> is not the problem.
>
> Any advice, anyone run into this before? Robert WatsonNovato CA
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