Spanner size for VVC clutch nipple?

[john milner]

What size spanner is required for a VVC hydraulic clutch bleed nipple? It is possibly 1/4" or less but I only have a very short and poor quality open ended 1/4" spanner so can't be sure.

The fluid has done over 60,000 miles and is looking a bit grey and thin so long overdue a change.

[SM25T]

I recall it being impossibly small and hard to access. Ditched it all and fitted a cable .... much easier to operate .... and change in future !

[john milner]

I bought a cable 13 years ago in case the the hydraulic ever failed on me. It's still in the boot. I'm not going to change unless I have to. I think I should be okay with a brake bleed spanner in the correct size. A set of spanners is quite expensive although if I know the size to ask for I can easily borrow one. Looks like a very messy job though as I don't think I'm going to get a tube on the bleed nipple.

[SM25T]

Indeed .... it's not well thought out is it.

[SM25T]

Maybe a 1/4" drive socket on there and a paper towel or margarine tub underneath.

[john milner]

Job done. Not as hard as I thought it would be but potentially messy.

For reference - 1/4" ring spanner is needed and for access remove the air filter. Newspapers stuffed in anywhere that looks likely to catch dripping fluid, oil pan underneath and wear latex gloves. Nipple open about 90 degrees is enough. Lock off nipple after each depression. Each depression ejects about a desert spoon of fluid. From reservoir brim to very low level is five depressions of the pedal. To get the contents of the reservoir from a grey mud colour to clear took about five fill-ups so the assistant will need to pump 20-30 times for a thorough clean out. Despite lots of newspapers the block/sump side was very wet. Totally dry after a 10 mile drive.