Clutch Flushing Problem

[maccraith]

In flushing the clutch on my '03 R1150R, I followed Cycle Rob's instructions closely. I replaced the aluminum hunk with a bleeder screw (BMW 34 21 2 330 310). Then I sucked out the old brake fluid from the reservoir and refilled with DOT4. Pulled in the clutch lever (very slowly at first) and clamped against it the bar grip. Went to the bleeder screw and opened it 3/4 of a turn and . . .

Nothing came out. No air, no fluid. So I opened the screw two full turns. Nothing. Three turns. Nothing.

Went back to the clutch lever, loosened it and let it out, then pumped it several times slowly. Clamped it again on the last pump. Went to the bleeder and cracked it. Nothing.

Then, thinking there might be an obstruction in the hose, I removed the bleeder screw and ran a wire all the way up the bleeder hose. No obstruction. Reinstalled the bleeder. Went to the lever and pumped it and then clamped it. Went to the bleeder and opened it two turns. Nothing.

Can anyone think of an alternative to removing (and probably replacing) the slave cylinder? I hope. I hope. . . .

[AZBMWRIDER]

Is there a ball check valve at the end of the bleeder hose you placed the bleeder screw in ??
If it does, try to push it in and see if it's stuck .
Cover with a rag in case fluid spurts out .

[maccraith]

Good thought, but no. No ball check. I would have encountered that when I ran the wire up the bleeder hose to check for obstructions.

[peels]

are you getting pressure in the lever when you pump? If not check the slave.



there should be a ball at the very end of the clutch bleeding line. Try not using the screw, remove the screw that's in there. I just pressed on that ball with a punch, while my son squeezed the lever. easy.

[maccraith]

Hoo! Hah!! Finally got it bled. I quit last night in frustration. Just filled the reservoir to the lower ring in the window, put the cover on and went to bed. Got up this morning, dragged myself out there thinking about having to remove the slave. First I took the cover off and low and behold, the level had dropped almost 10mm. I immediately pumped the lever 10 times and tied it to the grip, went around and cracked open the bleeder and there was fluid and bubbles. I have never been so glad to see bubbles in fluid in my life! Took at least 20 cycles to get the all the bubbles out. But they are out; the fluid is clean and the clutch is working just fine.

The only problem is that I have no idea as to what happened. If anyone has had any experience like this or knows what happened and why, I sure would like to know.

BTW, I long ago followed Cycle Rob's advice and removed the hunk of aluminum with the ball check in it and simply screwed in a conventional brake bleeder screw. Up 'til yesterday, bleeding the clutch was a simple breeze with this set up. I expect that it will be a breeze in the future. But last night, some gremlin got in and spent the night. I was very glad to see him gone in the morning.