bleeding the clutch

[bodgey a3]

can some one please tell me the best way to bleed the clutch on my 2003 2.0 tdi 6 speed gearbox pedal is bitng at the floor and a problem getting out of reverse but when engine is turned off it comes straight out no probs iwas told it needs bleeding.

[Crasher]

The clutch is bled by opening the bleed nipple on the connection where the hydraulic line goes into the box just above and behind the starter motor. If this has suddenly happened it is extremely unlikely that bleeding the system will help, you probably have a faulty clutch master cylinder or concentric release bearing. In situations like this we replace the master cylinder first as it is relatively easy and inexpensive to do and see if this cures it, which it does in roughly 25% of cases. On the six speed models with the concentric release bearing the bearing is normally the reason for the problem and although only around £35 for the part genuine, unfortunately it means removing the gearbox to replace it.

[bodgey a3]

its being doing it about a month now it gets worse when the engine warms up it had a new clutch flywheel fitted in 2007 by the previous owner

[Crasher]

I had to do one a few weeks ago, it had been fitted with a new clutch and release bearing a year before but they had used a cheap one and it had failed plus the master cylinder push rod was bent due to a failed pedal not being correctly repaired. When we pulled the box we found the flywheel had also failed, all in all it was an expensive job.

[bodgey a3]

great what would you recomend i do and is taking the boxout a big job ?

[Crasher]

I would suggest what I recommend my customers do and that is take a chance on it being the master cylinder and see what happens. Yes, taking the box out is a hefty job, I did one yesterday and it takes three people to lift one out safely even with a box jack underneath.