Clutch bleeder nipple is wet after first time experiencing clutch pedal problems - bad bleeder?

[Amaan2018]

My '15 is going on 109k miles and for the first time I'm experiencing clutch pedal problems. Twice now, the pedal has gotten stuck halfway up and was easily released with my foot. There's also a clear detent in the clutch travel now.

There was no fluid leakage at the clutch pedal or master cylinder. I got the car up on ramps to inspect the lines, the underside of the brake master cylinder, and to bleed the clutch when I noticed that the clutch bleeder nipple and rubber cover was wet with brake fluid. There was no sign of brake fluid dripping down from the bleeder or any of the lines. The clutch has never been bled or replaced. I'm assuming this isn't normal right? I ended up not bleeding the clutch, just in case I have to find a replacement bleeder first.

 

[SteveS]

Your clutch pedal sticking is likely unrelated to the bleeder being wet. It's a common problem with the Fiesta and Focus and it's from the slave cylinder (unfortunately inside the transmission) sticking.

 

[Amaan2018]

Your clutch pedal sticking is likely unrelated to the bleeder being wet. It's a common problem with the Fiesta and Focus and it's from the slave cylinder (unfortunately inside the transmission) sticking.

I figured I'd probably end up having to replace the slave cylinder although I found a write up on one of the Fiesta forums saying to bleed the clutch first as you might get lucky.

 

[TyphoonFiST]

Reverse Bleed your clutch* First...The fluid should ideally be changed/flushed every 2-3 years.

 

[Amaan2018]

Reverse Bleed your clutch* First...The fluid should ideally be changed/flushed every 2-3 years.

I bought a reverse bleeder and bled the clutch. It took about 3/4 of 1L bottle of brake fluid for it to run clear. I've put about 100 miles of mostly city driving on the car since and the clutch feels brand new, there's not even a detent halfway in the pedal anymore.

 

[Intuit]

Clutch bleeder nipple is wet after first time experiencing clutch pedal problems - bad bleeder?

It is possible for a hydraulic system to have an easier time sucking in air, than pushing out fluid...
https://www.r6-forum.com/threads/resolved-brake-bleed-screws-wont-seal.444882/

I also had a similar observation with a cooling system in a prior car. Cracked radiator for a time had an easier time sucking in air (after engine shutoff) versus pushing out coolant (during warm-up). That eventually (about two weeks) changed as the micro-fracture progressed in size.

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