It isn't plugged - anymore... It was plugged but I noticed that in one of my first bleed attempts and I took it out and cleaned it out with a piece of wire. I open it only like 1/2 turn and already fluid starts leaking around the threads.

Also, thanks to everyone else for the info about the hoses and such... I could have sworn I saw a soft line connected to the slave when I was down there though - even remember using it as leverage with my crescent wrench to hold open the bleeder valve. I didn't look that closely though, maybe it was connected to something else...

Obviously I will check that all out before I put in the new slave.

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Yes don't use the black fabric fuel line- mine rotted out and probably contributed to my system's demise. I just used common vinyl hose from HD- works fine so far but it's new.

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

Still wondering if anyone knows the answer to whether there is a chance this is a mechanical failure, and possibly what things inside the transmission could fail to produce the symptoms I described.

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Did you look at my post about the throwout bearing. It could cause all of the problems mentioned.

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For Sale: 1982 MB 300TD
1995 Chevrolet Suburban 6.5TD

Sold: 1980 IH Scout Traveler- Nissan SD33T Diesel

If your clutch pedal is "stiff" chances are your hydraulics are OK. Time to pull the tranny off and see what's going on with the throwout bearing or even the slave cyl-to-throwout bearing linkage (whatever that's called).

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

Check if you have Windows.... under accessories I think... and accessibility.. there may be a screen keyboard which you can use in those type situations...

You know, I realized I am being stupid about this... what I just remembered is that when this whole situation started, I found that my fluid reservoir was empty - duh... so either a leak or some part that blew (though I still haven't yet been able to find a leak - large or small)

Also, my pedal, although not totally limp (it does spring back), does not offer the same resistance I remember from before when the clutch was working.

So very unlikely that the clutch issues wouldn't be related to that missing fluid in some way! Time to work out the hydraulic issues before worrying about mechanical issues.



new question:

Is it possible that bleeding would not work correctly if either the slave or master cyl was blown? I am pretty puzzled by why I don't seem to be able to get the clutch system to bleed from the bottom up. I don't see bubbles coming up in the reservoir.

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your pedal is brought back up by a spring..
no relation to the other problem ..
so it looks like you have found your Limpness problem cause...
Hydraulic brakes should be ' worked out' before worrying about getting the car to go fast..
LOL

Oh, I should have been more clear, it was the transmission section of the fluid reservoir (in the back compartment) that had no fluid. The brakes section was fine.

I also know the brakes work fine because I drove the car 45 miles home with no clutch

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Greg, I dont think the clutch pedal comes back by spring
power. Have you never experienced "limp pedal"

edit 25.1-240/2 of the tranny manual shows a spring but it wont hold the pedal up if the systems full of air.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

I never did see bubbles or seemed to notice fluid coming back into the reservor, but what ever I did today it works. ya gotta keep the reservor full if ya don`t want limp peddle syndrome

www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=249874

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Well, pass some of that bleeding voodoo this way, would you please?

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