So i have a 2003 S and i was backing it out of the driveway the other day when i heard a really loud pop and the car stalled out. When i investigated the issue i found alot of brake fluid had sprayed out around the slave cylinder. My clutch now stays engaged and on the floor and i have no hydraulic pressure. So i went ahead and ordered a new slave cylinder and went to put it on. It went on pretty easily and then i attempted to bleed it just like i would my brakes and i am still not getting any hydraulic pressure. So i dig a little deeper and come to find out that there is a MINI tool that is used to bleed the clutch and with out this tool it would be very difficult for me to ever get my clutch back. If there is anybody who knows that infact this issue is the slave cylinder and hopefully nothing bigger. And also is the mini tool indeed the missing link in this whole situation? I would really appreciate your help if you know anything on this subject.

 

Hard for me to say it is the slave, but it has been said here often it is very hard to bleed the clutch. My guess is that is your problem.

 

A slave cylinder does not have a return spring. It uses the clutch to return the pedal. That means it can't be bleed with the same methods as the brakes. You either need a power bleeder or a vacuum pump like a MytiVac. Both do the job nicely. I do not think there is anything special about the Mini slave cylinder that requires a tool from BMW.

Considering that there was brake fluid all over the cylinder and I assume you checked the hose then bleeding it is all that would be required after installing the new one.

Rich

 

You don't need a special tool, just 2 people to make it easier. I did it without compressing the slave cylinder. You just need someone to tighten the valve while the pedal is coming up and to open it when you push down on the pedal. Do that until there are no bubbles coming out then close the valve off. You may have to pull up the pedal a few times while there is no pressure.

 

They use that tool to compress the piston so you dont blow out the seal when bleeding the system with a pressure bleeder.