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Old 03-26-2013, 03:43 AM
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To Flush or Not to Flush (The Clutch Hydraulic System)

So I'm finally getting around to performing a brake hose replacement and fluid flush. I have a 1970 220 with a manual transmission and I wonder if I should first reverse flush the clutch???
Some of you must be laughing, I have read how troubling this can be... but what do you think? I have no problems with the clutch currently.

Should hydraulic clutch systems be flushed as often as brake systems -- especially when they share the same fluid reservoir? Why or why not?


Last edited by Coastal220; 03-26-2013 at 09:14 AM.
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Old 03-26-2013, 11:43 PM
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Well, the moisture settles at the bottom... I would just open the bleeder at the bottom and let it drain until you get new fluid.

Csaba
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Old 03-27-2013, 12:22 AM
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Reverse flush is not that bad. Done it several times and works as a charm when you follow MB workshop manual directions. If everything works fine, then why worry? On the other hand, if you don't know when the last time it was that hydraulic fluid was replaced, then you may want to do a complete flush.

Check the color. If it is not clear, change it asap.

Bert
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Old 03-27-2013, 04:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vandor View Post
Well, the moisture settles at the bottom... I would just open the bleeder at the bottom and let it drain until you get new fluid.

Csaba

Good point, I guess there is no air to bleed if keep the clutch hose upright at the reservoir and don't allow any air down into the line.

Thanks Csaba
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Old 03-27-2013, 11:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vandor View Post
Well, the moisture settles at the bottom... I would just open the bleeder at the bottom and let it drain until you get new fluid.

Csaba
But on second thought, would I not risk air entering the bleeder on the slave cylinder with this method?

Anyone? I need to finish this in tomorrow morning.
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Old 03-28-2013, 12:49 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vandor
Well, the moisture settles at the bottom... I would just open the bleeder at the bottom and let it drain until you get new fluid.



Water and brake fluid are 100% miscible. The water that is in the clutch and brake hydraulic circuits is distributed evenly throughout the system. When the old fluid is drained out all the water goes with it.
Unless the car is inverted, the brake and clutch reservoir is above the rest of the system, and opening the bleed screw on the clutch slave will allow gravity to purge the circuit.

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Old 03-28-2013, 01:06 AM
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Thanks for this clarification Frank. I was wondering about the whole "moisture settles at the bottom" thing... sure seems like this would lead to unusually rapid rust at "the bottom"... wherever this is.

Hopefully the car isn't inverted but if it is I'll report back with tips on making it right side up again.

All best,

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