How easy is it to bleed a clutch solo? (vehicle, auto, brakes)

[Wartrace]

I have a 2003 Chevy silverado and have been having trouble shifting. The cylinder has been losing fluid slowly and I have been noticing a "smell" of burning fluid or something after driving.

Today I was at a stoplight and I couldn't get it in gear. I caused a "one man traffic jam" and it was a wake up call to get it fixed. I did eventually get it rolling but something is wrong. Ten minutes after this incident it was shifting normally.

vehicle specifics-
198,000 highway miles. No previous work done on clutch.
2003 chevy silverado 6 cylinder engine

Shifting problems come and go. Could it be air in the lines? Is there a way to bleed them by myself? I would like to try this before paying a shop to fix it.

[raveabouttoast]

The cylinder probably needs to be replaced. Air in the lines wouldn't cause you to lose fluid.

They do have one person bleed kits at most auto parts stores for just a few bucks. They've worked well for me.

[ryanek9freak]

You don't just get air in the lines. It's leaking and something needs to be replaced.

[whiteboyslo]

Need to fix the leak first, assuming that's the problem. But, there are a few options out there for one-man bleeding. Simplest is the little systems you can buy at the parts store that really isn't more than a piece of hose, a bottle, and a one-way check valve. Next best is something like the Mighty Vac, but if you have a compressor, the best way to go is something like this:

Brake Fluid Bleeder

Best tool in my garage. I bleed brakes and clutches in no time with this. It takes longer to get the compressor up to pressure than it takes to do the actual bleeding.

Mike

[rbohm]

probably the best tool for bleeding hydraulic clutches, or brakes is the phoenix injector;

Phoenix Systems MAXPRO-205 - Maxi-Ject PROâ„¢ Injector Bleeding System with Smart-Pak | SJDiscounttools.com

it bleeds from the bottom up and is a one man operation. the pro racers swear by it.

[Deez Nuttz]

I can vouch for the Phoenix Brake Systems bleeder. I have one and used it to bleed my brakes and my clutch too. Easy to do, and 1 man can do it.

[Wartrace]

Thanks for the input. I guess the leak needs to be addressed first. I will probably take it to a shop near where I work because I don't know where the leak is and it would probably be difficult to track it down.