Problems pressurising clutch fluid line

So I've bled the fluid from the reservoir and bleed nipple, dismantled the clutch lever and added a new rubber bush and added some grease to stop it squeaking. Now having real trouble getting it all working again.

When my brakes were serviced they had to replace all the network of pipes/fluid lines due to the fact that old lines contain lots of air bubbles and it's a nightmare/impossible to get them pressurised again.

I'm wondering if anyone has managed to re pressurise their clutch by the standard way (squeezing lever and opening/closing the bleed nipple/valve) or if I should expect to have to replace the entire fluid line. I've spent an hour adding Dot 4 to the reservoir (x4 fills), squeezing lever, seeing air bubble, opening closing valve, but no luck. No pressure, no clutch. I've never replaced a fluid line myself and thinking perhaps I'll give it a try. Also heard of another method of adding fluid in from the bleed nipple end.

Just wondering if anyone else has successfully managed to re pressurise their clutch without having to take it into the garage. Any tips/advice appreciated.

 

Get yourself a cheap vacuum bleeder, and add some thread tape to the nipple threads, and you should be able to rebleed the clutch easily enough. There's no need to replace a line, most of the VFR lines are steel tubes in any case.

It is a bit late to tell you this, but unless I was planning on disconnecting a line, I would never fully empty a reservoir. You can happily syringe out all the free liquid and then mop out any residue from the reservoir floor, but you can do that without emptying the master cylinder bore and introducing air unnecessarily.

 

I replaced the line and now it works. My advice is not to spend ages trying to add fluid to an old line, but to replace it. Squeaky lever solved as well. I used the 'string hitch' method which saved a lot of time in removing parts like the fuel and coolant tanks and allowed me to route the line quickly and easily.

 

MityVac. Or you could just continue to beat yourself mercilessly.

 

Having some thread tape on the nipple threads is a must if you want the vacuum to work properly.