Hey Eric,

Just a side note. I had trouble with a hydraulic clutch recently (a
Fiero.....yuck), and couldn't get it bled right. I ended up dropping the
motor to check the clutch which turned out to be a complete waste of
time....the clutch just wasn't bled properly.

Long story short...I heard you shouldn't bleed the clutch with the old
pump-pump-pump...hold...release bleeder...down...tighten
bleeder...pump-pump-pump...etc. method. I was told by an old Mechanic type
person that you jack the reservoir end of the car up in the air till it's
higher than the slave cylinder (not necessary with your system .....thank
god), and fill the reservoir. Than you crack the bleeder and let the fluid
run out till it has pushed all bubbles and old fluid through. Makes sence,
and worked perfect the last time I bought an '84 Vanagon and had to bleed
the clutch.

Just my 2 cents..

Ward

"Life looks pretty twisted through corner windows"

'84 Vanagon
'69 Dormy
'65 Kombi
'63 Sub Hatch
'63 Hardtop Deluxe
'57 Kombi
'57 Panel

...just doing a mental inventory...

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Edward Nutter
Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2002 8:10 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Clutch slave cylinder and leaking coolant

Eric Peterson wrote:

>1989 Vanagon 2.1L  2-wheel drive 125k
>
>[snip]
>
>Issue 1 - I have a leaking clutch slave cylinder and I am planning on
>replacing it. The clutch master cylinder was replaced 10k ago. I have read
>numerous posts on the archives emphasizing the importance of replacing both
>slave and master at the same time. My question is...is replacement of both
>master and slave at the same time only necessary when both have numerous
>miles on them? Since the master is relatively new (10k), I was hoping I
>didn't have to replace it. I know it is my risk, just asking. If anyone has
>replaced only one with the other being fairly new and has information to
pass
>on, please do!
>
>[snip]
>
The two parts just wear out at roughly the same rate, as you've
discovered with the slave dying so soon after the master.  That's why
everybody recommends changing them both at once.  If one croaks the
other is about to, so save yourself some time and hassle by doing both
at once.  Not necessary in your case.  Just change the slave this trip.

Ed Nutter