How to change clutch fluid on your own.
check the damper pipe at the back of the vehicle, check for leaks, fluid has to be going somewhere. I think Jims-Terrano had a similar issue very recently...
Sounds like a leak.
When you have fixed it, or just want to blead the clutch, then I wrote this guide in January, after changing my clutch fluid...
How to change clutch fluid on your own.
In Jan I changed the Mav brake and clutch fluid.
I used a pressure device for the brakes, but it doesn't do the clutch, wrong adaptors.
1 Remove as much clutch fluid as possible using an OLD turkey baster (75% discount at Wilco last week)
2 Fill the container with new Dot 4 fluid to rinse out the resevoir, and remove using the turkey baster. ( I did this twice)
3 Fill the container with new Dot 4 fluid
4 Get a length of wood or similar and press down the clutch pedal, using the seat base to push against.
5 Open the bleed valve on the master cylinder 8mm AF spanner (attach suitable pipe and container). Close the valve.
6 Release the clutch pedal that is now still on the floor, by pulling slowly.
7 Press pedal several times then press down and hold with wood and repeat several times topping up the resevoir as required every 2-3 cycles.
8 Go under the vehicle and remove the lower tray, 6 x 6mm bolts using a 10mm AF socket. Gain access to the slave cylinder, then repeat operation on the slave cylinder as per 4 above. but using a 10mm AF open ended spanner.
Every 2-3 operations top up the resevoir.
The number of cycles depends on how dark the fluid is, I did both about 5 times. I am not aware of the clutch fluid having ever been changed ooops....
Brakes yes every 3-4 years I change the fluid.
To help getting under the Mav I use a large piece of cardboard on the floor and you can slide on this as you have to keep going underneath to do the task.
Clearly much easier with 2 people.
Keep a spray bottle of water handy to wash off any brake fluid splashes, DO NOT USE A CLOTH, as you will wipe the paint off as well
As a precaution I hosed off the areas exposed to the risk of brake fluid splases, brakes, tyres under the bonnet etc
It's amazing where this stuff gets, despite covering the area with newspaper.
It is mostly flicks from the plastic hose on the bleed screws as you tighten them while still attached.
It took far longer to write this than actually do the job....
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