Do I need to bleed the clutch on an SMG when doing a brake fluid change?

PIR3lly · Thu, Mar-25-2010, 11:05:44 AM

Hey guys, I've been searching the forum, but I can't really find an answer.
I have to do a brake fluid change soon and I've been reading the diy about this.
It says I have to bleed the clutch.
I'm just wondering if and how I do this on an SMG.
Is it nessecary? Do I need special tools? Can I do it myself or do I need to go to an bmw specialist?

Any restrictions on the type of brake fluid or should I just go with ATE 200 or RBF 600 (use it as my daily driver and almost never track the car)?

tonggi · Thu, Mar-25-2010, 01:00:42 PM

its the same as the caliper. its a bleeder nipple underneath the car by the tranny, driver side.

ivietg04i · Thu, Mar-25-2010, 01:40:30 PM

does it just drains? thanks

PIR3lly · Thu, Mar-25-2010, 02:56:03 PM

Ok, so there's a nipple. But how do you bleed it?
I can't push in the paddle because there is no clutch paddle.

GotM? · Thu, Mar-25-2010, 03:10:52 PM

I don't have an SMG...but my guess would be a power bleeder.

kingofqueenz · Thu, Mar-25-2010, 04:16:06 PM

Its not required. I know of alot of smg owners who bled their brakes without doing the clutch fluid and it caused no problems.

.333 snubnose · Thu, Mar-25-2010, 04:43:43 PM

am i missing something?
why would you bleed the smg hydraulics when bleeding brakes?

PIR3lly · Thu, Mar-25-2010, 05:41:33 PM

Not the smg hydraulics, but the clutch.
Clutch on a M3 uses the same fluid as the brakes (at least, that's what I've been told).
Just read this Diy and you'll see what I mean. Unfortunately he doesn't mention how it's done on a SMG.

So I could skip bleeding the clutch, but if I want to do it, I need to use a pressure bleeder, correct?

avusbluem3 · Thu, Mar-25-2010, 05:54:21 PM

I was researching this a while ago but can't find the links now. I believe SMG does not use brake fluid to actuate the clutch, it uses the SMG fluid. It's independent of the brake system.

PIR3lly · Thu, Mar-25-2010, 06:03:36 PM

If that's the case, then I shouldn't touch it. Could make things worse.
Hmmm...
Anyone know the right answer?

Thu, Mar-25-2010, 11:05:44 AM	#1
PIR3lly Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Age: 38 Posts: 175 In the garage: '08 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Near Amsterdam	Do I need to bleed the clutch on an SMG when doing a brake fluid change? Hey guys, I've been searching the forum, but I can't really find an answer. I have to do a brake fluid change soon and I've been reading the diy about this. It says I have to bleed the clutch. I'm just wondering if and how I do this on an SMG. Is it nessecary? Do I need special tools? Can I do it myself or do I need to go to an bmw specialist? Any restrictions on the type of brake fluid or should I just go with ATE 200 or RBF 600 (use it as my daily driver and almost never track the car)? Last edited by PIR3lly; Thu, Mar-25-2010 at 12:16:48 PM.

Thu, Mar-25-2010, 01:00:42 PM	#2
tonggi Tonggi Tuning, LLC Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 15,101 Reputation: 0 Location: skankville, NJ	its the same as the caliper. its a bleeder nipple underneath the car by the tranny, driver side. __________________ TiTS Racing in association with MMFN Racing and AYO STFU Want to buy your High Mileage Car!

Thu, Mar-25-2010, 03:10:52 PM	#5
GotM? Admiral Douchington Join Date: Jul 2008 Age: 12 Posts: 2,931 In the garage: '98 FORD RANGER '04 BMW M3 Reputation: 0	I don't have an SMG...but my guess would be a power bleeder. __________________ - Chris 2004 Mystic Blue Metallic Convertible

Thu, Mar-25-2010, 04:43:43 PM	#7
.333 snubnose Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 474 Reputation: 0 Location: Golden State	am i missing something? why would you bleed the smg hydraulics when bleeding brakes? __________________ For Rent: RTAB tool (MIS), FCAB tool (MIS), Valve Shim Kit & Tool For Sale: OE FCAB brackets (lollipops)

Thu, Mar-25-2010, 05:41:33 PM	#8
PIR3lly Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Age: 38 Posts: 175 In the garage: '08 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Near Amsterdam	Not the smg hydraulics, but the clutch. Clutch on a M3 uses the same fluid as the brakes (at least, that's what I've been told). Just read this Diy and you'll see what I mean. Unfortunately he doesn't mention how it's done on a SMG. So I could skip bleeding the clutch, but if I want to do it, I need to use a pressure bleeder, correct? Last edited by PIR3lly; Thu, Mar-25-2010 at 05:45:42 PM.

Thu, Mar-25-2010, 01:40:30 PM	#3
ivietg04i Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 85 Reputation: 0 Location: Lady Lake	does it just drains? thanks

Thu, Mar-25-2010, 02:56:03 PM	#4
PIR3lly Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Age: 38 Posts: 175 In the garage: '08 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Near Amsterdam	Ok, so there's a nipple. But how do you bleed it? I can't push in the paddle because there is no clutch paddle.

Thu, Mar-25-2010, 04:16:06 PM	#6
kingofqueenz Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 359 Reputation: 0	Its not required. I know of alot of smg owners who bled their brakes without doing the clutch fluid and it caused no problems.

Thu, Mar-25-2010, 05:54:21 PM	#9
avusbluem3 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 487 Reputation: 0 Location: NJ	I was researching this a while ago but can't find the links now. I believe SMG does not use brake fluid to actuate the clutch, it uses the SMG fluid. It's independent of the brake system. __________________ 95 E36 M3 Avusblue/Dove Gray :Sold 02 E46 M3 Steel Grey/Black Nappa/SMG II

Thu, Mar-25-2010, 06:03:36 PM	#10
PIR3lly Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Age: 38 Posts: 175 In the garage: '08 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Near Amsterdam	If that's the case, then I shouldn't touch it. Could make things worse. Hmmm... Anyone know the right answer?

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