How to Bleed a Clutch on the 91 Nissan 300ZX
by Justin CuplerThe Z-car lineup dates back to the 1970 release of the Datsun 240Z. The Z-car went through several name changes – 260Z, 280Z and 280ZX – until finally settling on the 300ZX in 1984. In 1990, Nissan revolutionized the Japanese sports car market with the release of a completely redesigned 300ZX. The 1991 300ZX came standard with a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter engine that cranked out a relatively tame 222 horsepower, and it had an optional twin-turbo 3.0-liter that pushed out 300 horsepower. Bleeding the clutch on all 1991 300ZX models is the same straightforward process.
Unscrew the cap from the clutch master cylinder and fill it to the “Max” line with new DOT 3 brake fluid. Screw the cap back onto the master cylinder.
Lift the front of the 300ZX with a floor jack and position jack stands under its frame rails. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
Crawl under the driver’s side of the vehicle and find the clutch slave cylinder on the driver’s side of the transmission. Find the bleeder valve – the 1/4-inch metal valve near the rear of the slave cylinder.
Press a 1/4-inch inside diameter clear vinyl hose onto the bleeder valve. Place the other end of the hose into a clean and clear container. Pour DOT 3 brake fluid into the container until the fluid submerges the open end of the hose.
Instruct an assistant to press and release the clutch pedal five times, then hold it to the floor. Turn the bleeder valve a full turn counterclockwise with a combination wrench and watch the submerged end of the clear hose for bubbles. Tighten the bleeder valve. Repeat this step until no bubbles come from the hose.
Remove the hose from the slave cylinder. Raise the 300ZX off of the jack stands and remove the stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
Refill the clutch master cylinder with DOT 3 brake fluid, then find the clutch pipe junction bolted to the passenger’s side fender. Find the bleeder valve on the front of the junction and press the 1/4-inch inside diameter clear vinyl hose onto the bleeder valve.
Place the other end of the clear hose in the clean and clear container and submerge the hose in the container with DOT 3 brake fluid.
Repeat step 5 to bleed the air from the clutch pipe junction.
Pull the hose from the bleeder valve and refill the clutch master cylinder with DOT 3 brake fluid. Test the operation of the clutch and bleed it again, if it feels spongy or soft.
Take any old clutch fluid to a used automotive fluid recycler for disposal. Some auto parts stores take old fluids free of charge.