I've read in a few places, including the Bentley (but don't quote me on
this) that the up-open-down-close method of bleeding is not recommended
for the vanagon clutch. A vacuum pump like Mity Vac, available about
everywhere now, is recommended.

Jim

On Jan 7, 2006, at 10:30 AM, Keith Hughes wrote:

>> Date:    Fri, 6 Jan 2006 15:49:13 -0500
>> From:    Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
>> Subject: Re: New Transmission Time?
>>
>>
>> Speaking of clutch bleeding, how is this done?  When I replaced  my
>> components I could not get it blead proper. I pumped about 2000 times
>> or
>> more! Still no pressure to activate the clutch. Mostly air in the
>> lines. I
>> filled the resivour to the tipity top and resumed pumping. By luck it
>> pumped up and the clutch worked.Good thing as I was about to quit.
>> But this
>> was luck. Had  to be. I hear of pressure bleeding for this system. Is
>> this
>> correct? What is needed and how is it done? Now that my clutch works,
>> I
>> need to bleed the system again just for maintinance(2 years).Can I
>> just
>> pump it like a brake system? Tanks
>>
>>
>
> The same way as you bleed brakes, and "pumping" is *NOT* the way to do
> it.  That will sometimes entrain so much air that you're worse off than
> when you started.  To bleed the clutch (without a pressure/vacuum
> bleeder) you need two people and:
>
> 1. Fill the fluid reservoir.
> 2. Open the bleeder on the slave cylinder.
> 3. Slowly depress the clutch pedal all the way to the floor, and HOLD
> it
> there.
> 4. Close the bleeder screw on the slave cylinder.
> 5. Release the clutch pedal.
> 6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 until a steady stream of fluid is ejected
> from the slave cylinder bleeder when the pedal is depressed.  Top off
> the fluid, and you're done.
>
> You bleed the brakes the same way, starting at the wheel furthest from
> the proportioning valve(s) and working your way to the closest wheel.
>
> Keith Hughes
>