How Do I Bleed a Hydraulic Clutch in a 1995 Chevy Camaro?

The clutch systems on cars with automatic transmissions are very similar to the braking system, using hydraulic fluid operated by a pedal (it even uses the same fluid). Any maintenance to this system may result in enough loss of fluid to allow air to escape into the system, forcing you to bleed the air out. If you need to bleed the clutch system on your 1995 Camaro, this depends on your engine type. For a 3800 V8 engine, bleeding is very similar to bleeding a braking system; other engine types require a different process.

Instructions

3800 V8

1

Raise the front end of the Camaro with a jack and support it on jack stands. The clutch master cylinder is connected to the firewall right behind the clutch pedal. The clutch release cylinder is the small cylinder connecting the master cylinder to the transmission.

2

Attach a plastic tube to the bleeder screw on the clutch release cylinder. Place the tube's other end into a small container partially filled with DOT3 brake fluid.

3

Push down on the clutch pedal slowly while another person loosens the bleeder screw to release as much air as possible--air bubbles will appear in the container--then close the screw.

4

Repeat the previous step until no air bubbles appear in the container when you push down on the pedal.

All Other Models

5

Loosen the retaining nuts on the clutch master cylinder from inside the driver's cabin of the car with a wrench until the nuts are at the end of their bolt studs.

6

Wipe away all dirt and grease from the master cylinder reservoir cap with shop rags then remove the cap and diaphragm.

7

Raise the Camaro with a jack and support it on jack stands.

8

Tie a wire to the left hood strut bracket, making sure the wire is long enough to reach the ground. Unscrew and remove the clutch release cylinder with a wrench and hang the cylinder by the wire.

9

Press and hold the cylinder's push rod inside the cylinder then reinstall the diaphragm and cap onto the cylinder.

10

Hold the release cylinder in a position lower than the master cylinder and repeatedly press the push rod in short strokes, looking for air to bubble in the master cylinder reservoir. Continue until you see no air bubbles.

11

Release the cylinder from the wire and reconnect it to the car with its retaining nuts, tightening the nuts to 15 foot-pounds. Lower the car off the jack stands with the jack and remove the wire from the hood strut.

12

Tighten the clutch master cylinder nuts in the driver's cabin to 20 foot-pounds.