Clutch Bleeder Leaking

[Mr Nick]

Attempting to bleed my clutch with a Phoenix Systems reverse bleeder.

When I crack open the bleeder valve enough for fluid to come out the end of the valve, it also leaks from the back of the fitting, where I have it circled. In the past I've always gravity bled and pumped the pedal to bleed the clutch, and never got a good feel. Just now noticed the fitting leaking like this, not sure if it's new or has been happening for a while, which would explain my inability to get a good pedal.

Can I replace just the fitting, or is the whole bleeder hose junk? (which would likely require removing the trans to gain access)

[Mr Nick]

Removed the bleeder fitting, cleaned it, cleaned the female NTP with a q-tip, used a little ARP thread sealer on the fitting and reassembled. Same thing. Even with the bleeder just cracked open a hair it leaks out the back of the fitting (red circle) with any pressure from the bleeder. I'm done for tonight but still open to suggestions. I will contact Phoenix Systems as well.

I suppose removing the current bleeder fitting, and replacing with an extension would work. The fitting doesn't leak (or does it..?) when tight, so adding a 12" extension and bleeding at the new location could work and be easier since the bleeder would no longer be directly above my headers.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/qtm-710105/overview/

[andrewb70]

Nick,

If you look carefully, the threads on the female bleeder receptacle are not NPT, but are straight threads. Also, if you look inside, I bet you will see an inverted cone where a proper bleeder should seal against. I am guessing the female side is 3/8x24...GO to the parts store and get a 3/8x24 bleeder that is long enough to seal against the cone in the fitting.

Andrew

[Mr Nick]

Thanks Andrew - you're right, the female threads are straight with a cone seat at the back, not sure why I was thinking NPT. Probably because I saw a few suggestions to use thread sealer, which makes my mind think NPT.

The bleeder itself does bottom out in the female fitting, when tightened down there are no leaks. Crack it open a 1/4 turn and it leaks from the end of the bleeder as it should, AND from the back of the female fitting where I have the red circle.

[andrewb70]

Can you post a picture without the rubber hose?

[Mr Nick]

Here you go. Depending on size of the bleeder fitting I have, one of these may solve my problem and allow easier bleeding. Mine does measure in at 0.375

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hmi-tpsblc6 or https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hmi-tpsbl5g

[andrewb70]

Before tearing the trans off to replace the bleeder, I would try bleeding with the 2 person method. This way the leaking fitting will not matter.

Andrew

[red67camaro]

I think what you are experiencing is normal. I think the nut that the bleeder screws into is designed to rotate freely on the hose and will not seal unless the bleeder is tightened against the seat which is part of the fitting on the end of the hose.

Your reverse bleeder will probably work if you can live with the leakage or it has an adapter that seals the same way the bleeder screw does. Or as Andrew said, bleed with the 2 person method.

[Mr Nick]

Thanks guys. Guess I am just used to bleeding at a caliper which doesn't have a fitting like this that leaks from the threads.

[badazz81z28]

If its leaking where you circled, the hose is bad. You might be able to cut it and install a new hose end. However the hole in the bell housing looks large enough you don't even need a remote bleeder. If you want it, looks like plenty of room to swap it out.

Wait a minute....That doesn't even have the correct end on it....that's a AN end and you need a tapered end for a brake fitting. Where did you get that?

[Mr Nick]

This was my solution. I put a -3 male/male coupler on the original bleeder line, then a 12" length of -3 braided hose, with a fixed (non-swivel) fitting on the end. This did two things...
1) the bleeder fitting is no longer directly above the headers, and easy to get at.
2) since the bleeder itself is now in a fixed fitting, there is not rotating portion to leak like the original.

I was able to use the reverse bleeder and it didn't leak anywhere. However, the pedal still was mushy. I put a speed bleeder on there, bled it with the pedal by myself, and it feels better than it ever has.