Brake / clutch bleeding issues C30 2.0D

[Gwatkins]

Hi all.

I've recently rebuilt my front calipers and fitted new pads and discs. After bleeding the front calipers the clutch pedal was on the floor so I bled that too a couple of times. The brakes felt fine and the gears shifted okay, although sometimes it was slightly more difficult to change gear. Two weeks on and I went to start the car and the clutch pedal was on the floor again. I bled it and off I went again, still with the odd stiffer change.

So this weekend I went from back to front and bled the brakes again using a vacuum pump as I don't want to encounter the same issue in the future. I've noticed the bleeder hose doesn't fill completely with fluid like it does when bleeding the clutch so I'm wondering if I have an issue somewhere and not getting enough fluid through the lines? However the brakes operate well and there's no change in pedal feel.

Am I missing anything here when bleeding the brakes? I know some vehicles have abs pumps that need the engine to run to help bleeding.

Could it be there's still air in the lines and over time it finds its way to a high point and links to the clutch circuit causing the clutch pedal to drop?


I'm a keen hobbyist and like to learn and get on the tools but I haven't encountered a system where the brakes fluid and clutch are linked so any help is appreciated.