clutch bleed frustration...

[Bruch]

Hello, i'm finishing up my first annual maintenance, bought this 1150RT in July.

I need to bleed the clutch to complete the fluid exchange, but I'm stuck. I've bleed the clutch on my Audis, so I figured this would be a piece of cake, since I can actually SEE and TOUCH the components, unlike on the cars.

Here's where I'm stuck: I removed the little pipe plug(grub screw?) from the end of the foam covered fitting zip-tied to the right side frame. Everything I've read says"replace grub screw with bleeder fitting." So I thought I could use a bleeder screw from a Brembo automotive caliper I had lying around. The threads were the same, but it wouldn't screw in far enough to do any good. Seems to bottom out against the check ball. I looked at pictures of those Speedbleeders and they seem to me dimensionally the same as the bleeder fitting I tried to use.

 

So I tried to use a barbed hose fitting with 1/8 NPT threads, it screwed in nicely but I couldn't draw any fluid out with my vacuum. I found that I couldn't get any fluid out by squeezing the clutch lever either.

 

What gives? I feel like an idiot, this should be a simple thing. Maybe the Speedbleeder fitting releases the check ball? Do I need some unique-to-BMW bleeder fitting?

 

Help, before I kick the dog!

 

Bruch

 

[T__]

Hello, i'm finishing up my first annual maintenance, bought this 1150RT in July.

I need to bleed the clutch to complete the fluid exchange, but I'm stuck. I've bleed the clutch on my Audis, so I figured this would be a piece of cake, since I can actually SEE and TOUCH the components, unlike on the cars.

Here's where I'm stuck: I removed the little pipe plug(grub screw?) from the end of the foam covered fitting zip-tied to the right side frame. Everything I've read says"replace grub screw with bleeder fitting." So I thought I could use a bleeder screw from a Brembo automotive caliper I had lying around. The threads were the same, but it wouldn't screw in far enough to do any good. Seems to bottom out against the check ball. I looked at pictures of those Speedbleeders and they seem to me dimensionally the same as the bleeder fitting I tried to use.

 

So I tried to use a barbed hose fitting with 1/8 NPT threads, it screwed in nicely but I couldn't draw any fluid out with my vacuum. I found that I couldn't get any fluid out by squeezing the clutch lever either.

 

What gives? I feel like an idiot, this should be a simple thing. Maybe the Speedbleeder fitting releases the check ball? Do I need some unique-to-BMW bleeder fitting?

 

Help, before I kick the dog!

 

Bruch

 

 

 

Bruch, that check ball in the end of that fill fitting is sealing & not allowing any fluid to flow though..

 

You basically have a couple of choices..

 

First is to completely remove that check ball/factory fill fitting from the end of the bleed hose & install your Brembo bleeder directly in the end of the hose..

 

Second option is to find a bleed screw that has a long taper on the threaded end & screw that into the fill fitting so it can depress the ball off it’s seat & stays open enough to the allow fluid through..

 

Most of us just remove that darn factory fill/check ball device & toss it in the trash then use a conventional bleed screw directly in the end of the hose..

 

Twisty

 

[Bruch]

You da man! It makes sense, I didn't turn the bleed fitting in with a wrench, for fear of damaging some hundred dollar component.

 

Thanks

Bruch

[Boffin]

You da man! It makes sense, I didn't turn the bleed fitting in with a wrench, for fear of damaging some hundred dollar component.

 

Thanks

Bruch

 

Use heat- but not too much - the fitting is loctited in.

 

Andy

[ESokoloff]

Use heat- but not too much - the fitting is loctited in.

 

 

And the hose/tube is plastic.

[PLS8201]

Check out page 4 of the attached link. Worked like charm.

 

http://advwisdom.hogranch.com/Wisdom/service_abs3.pdf

[awagnon]

Use heat- but not too much - the fitting is loctited in.

 

With some mild heat, it will come off. Be careful until you get the check valve off, then throw it as far as you can. Leave the new bleed screw in place with the little rubber cap for the next scheduled bleed.

[jfixit]

Do not throw it away, it should be stored safely with the other useless never to be used again parts like the raido mounting box and the charcoal canister.

[RickB]

Just bled my clutch. A hair dryer and a SpeedBleeder SB1010S made it a piece of cake... mmmmm cake.