Yesterday I tried flushing my clutch fluid. I purchased one of the vacuum gun type systems that pulls fluid out of the drain plug. I opened the plug and even with vacuum pressure no fluid came out except a drop or two right at the beginning.

Once I opened the plug up farther, all the pump did was draw air out. I'm guessing I opened the drain far enough for air to get around the sides. I thought it might be a clogged drain plug, so I removed it completely and blew it out. It didn't seem to be clogged at all and I could easily blow air through. Even with the plug removed, no fluid came out of the drain hole. I even pumped the clutch a few times with both the plug in and the vacuum attached and with the plug completely out. Still no fluid came out.

And now my clutch petal is dead. I can move it back and forth with my hand and there's almost no resistance. It sounds like airlock, but how would that happen with no fluid coming out? The fluid reservoir is just as full as when I started. I don't think it's a problem with the vacuum gun because it works perfectly on my brake line.

Any suggestions?

 

I always find it amazing of infiniti owners that FAIL to read the FSM prior to doing any work on their vehicles

http://www.nicoclub.com/service-manu...6_G35_Sedan/cl


"CLUTCH FLUID
PFP:00017
Bleeding
NCS000JU
CAUTION:


Monitor fluid level in reservoir tank to make sure it does not empty.


Do not spill clutch fluid onto painted surfaces. If it spills, wipe up immediately and wash the
affected area with water.
NOTE:
Do not use a vacuum assist or any other type of power bleeder on this system. Use of vacuum assist or power
bleeder will not purge all the air from the system.
1. Fill master cylinder reservoir tank with new clutch fluid.
2. Connect a transparent vinyl hose to air bleeder.
3. Depress clutch pedal quickly and fully a few times and hold it.
4. With clutch pedal depressed, open air bleeder.
5. Close air bleeder.
6. Release clutch pedal and wait for 5 seconds.
7. Repeat steps 3 to 6 until no bubbles can be observed in brake
fluid.
8. Tighten air bleeder to the specified torque. Refer to
CL-11,
"Components
"
.
Telcoman

 

I appreciate that and will keep it in mind for future flushes.

Any suggestions on what actually happened and how to fix it?

 

Bleed it manually, as per the FSM. So.etimes you can really screw up the master cylinder, might have to remove it and "prime" it on a bench, use a wooden dowel or so.ething to work the plunger until fluid comes back out. If nothing comes out then the master cylinder is damaged. I have never heard of a vacuum bleeder ruin the CMS but it's possible maybe?

If you end up replacing it, make sure to.get the slave cylinder as well.

 

Yep, no power bleed for this car.

 

I don't think I can do a regular flush now because pumping the pedal doesn't seem to build any pressure. Right now the pedal is dead. I'm guessing the cylinder is damaged.

I'm just wondering how that could happen when no fluid came out of the system?

 

It's only a couple o-rings inside and the vacuum pressure probably pulled it off the shaft. Guessing there isn't sufficient stopper on the end to prevent vacuum pressure from pulling it off since it's designed to never see it.