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Wanting to change clutch fluid

Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 10:24 am
by GaryA
Hi,
When hot my B7 has difficulty engaging gears when stationary with engine running. If i pump the clutch it improves so i'm thinking a fluid change could help.
But .......
How the f... do you get to the slave bleeder ?
Had it up on my ramp yesterday but can't even see the bleeder.
Do i need to disconnect exhaust from gearbox and then drop grearbox sub frame ? Does this allow access ?
The manual just says remove the drive shaft heat shield and everything is rosey.
Appreciate your help and wealth of knowledge. Surely this shouldn't be to difficult, should it ?
Cheers
Gary

Re: Wanting to change clutch fluid

Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2020 7:18 am
by 12th
When I had mine changed by Graham Goode it involved taking off part of the exhaust, so I don't think it's the easiest of jobs. They kept the car overnight so it would be completely cold in the morning when the work was done - something to do with not wanting parts to expand/contract differently because of changes in temperature between taking it apart and putting it back together again.

Using clutch fluid with a higher boiling point (dot 5.1) cures the problem of clutch not returning to normal place when the car has been driven with gusto, but can't vouch for effectiveness with what you've described.

Re: Wanting to change clutch fluid

Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2020 9:58 am
by GaryA
Cheers 12th, when i first bought the car i did have occasional slow clutch return but that has gone away with proper usage.
Unbolting exhaust is probably the best route.
I've bought some ATE TYPE 200 fluid.
Reading many posts, new clutch is probably inevitable but want to go fluid route first if i can get to the bleeder lol

Re: Wanting to change clutch fluid

Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2020 9:49 pm
by Covkiller
You need to drop the gearbox subframe. 100%