Clutch Fluid Replacement

Clutch Fluid Replacement

Tools and Materials Needed

• Clutch fluid (DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid, 500ml or more to flush and refill)
• Wrench 8mm
• Jack and jack stands
• Catch container
• Rubber tubing is recommended
• Clean rags
• Optionally a second person

Prepare the Vehicle

Park the car on a level surface and engage the parking brake.

Jack up the car and secure it on jack stands.

Locate the Clutch Fluid Reservoir

The clutch fluid reservoir is located near the brake fluid reservoir in the engine bay.

Clean around the cap to avoid contamination when opening the clutch fluid reservoir.

Drain Old Clutch Fluid

Use a syringe or turkey baster to remove old fluid from the reservoir.

Clean the reservoir with paper towels and/or cotton swabs.

Fill the reservoir with fresh clutch fluid to the MAX line.

Optional: Rinse and repeat

Optionally you can now do a short drive and repeat the process.

This helps getting more dirt out of the system before doing the bleed.

It might not even be necessary to bleed the system at all and just repeat the above steps 2-3 times.

Bleed the Clutch

There are two methods to bleeding the whole system. The gravity bleed method is recommended and usually works very well without increasing the risk of potential air in the system.

Gravity bleed method

On the underside of the car, locate the clutch slave cylinder and attach a rubber tube to the bleeder valve and put a catching container below it.

With the clutch fluid reservoir filled to MAX, slowly open the bleeder valve until clutch fluid starts to flow out. Only one full turn of the bleeder valve should be required.

While the bleeder valve is open, quickly re-fill the clutch fluid reservoir so that it never runs empty. A second person can be helpful for this.

After flushing the system for a while (~250ml to 500ml) quickly close the bleeder valve and remove everything from below the car.

Top up the clutch fluid reservoir to MAX and close it.

Traditional bleed method

On the underside of the car, locate the clutch slave cylinder and attach a rubber tube to the bleeder valve and put a catching container below it.

With the clutch fluid reservoir filled to MAX, have an assistant press the clutch pedal slowly.

Open the bleeder valve to allow the old fluid to drain into the catch container.

Close the valve when your assistant has full pressed the clutch pedal.

After closing the valve, top up the clutch fluid reservoir to MAX and have your assistant release the clutch pedal.

Repeat those steps (pressing clutch pedal, opening bleeder valve, closing bleeder valve, re-fill fluid, repeat) until the released clutch fluid contains no dirt and no bubbles.

Top up the clutch fluid reservoir to MAX and close it.

Final Check

Top off the clutch fluid reservoir as needed. Lower the car and test the clutch pedal for proper operation.