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MG MGB Technical - Hydraulic Clutch No Pressure

I bought a 78 MGB a couple of months ago that had been in Storage for ten years...A few week-ends of work and I've got the engine purring...Now the problem is the clutch...The master cylinder was dry as a bone...I filled it with fluid and have bled enough air and fluid out to fill a beer bottle...After that I only have a small amount of pedal pressure...Any ideas on where to go next???I was considering pulling the Slave Cylinder to check that???
Jeff

Have any leaks?. Either you master is bypassing or you still have air in the slave. Clutch slaves are nortorious for capturing air in the top where it is hard to bleed out
gerry masterman

Hi.

It would seem unlikely that the clutch fluid was drained before the car went into storage, and it doesn't just evaporate, suggesting a significant leak somewhere... is the fluid level dropping at all ?.

If I were in your position I would at least remove, dismantle and inspect both the master and slave cylinders, or fit new ones... they are readily availible and not expensive.

Don
Don

Thanks Guys...I think I may have it...I pulled the Slave Cylinder off and found the Rubber Boot has a hairline crack in it...Was looking forward to driving it this week-end but I guess it'll have to wait since I can't get a new Cylinder until tuesday...I should have known...I have replaced pretty much every piece of Rubber on this car already...Thanks Again...
Jeff

The boot does not seal anything but the weather out. If there was brake fluid inside the boot, then you have found your problem and need a new slave. Hope things are that simple. Oh, if you change the slave, be sure to change the hose as well, so it will not bite you later
gerry masterman

I squeezed the rubber boot and quite a bit of fluid shot out of it...so this must be the problem...I got a couple of price quotes on new slaves that are kind of strange...$170.00 at Napa...$125.00 at Schucks and $45.00 on British Parts N.W....Schucks does sell a rebuild kit for $11.00...Are these prices out of the ball park or what??? Think I should go with the rebuild Kit or is that more trouble then it's worth???
Jeff

Jeff, I've never had much luck rebuilding a clutch slave cylinder. The cylindes are usually shot and honing will not clean them up enough to get a good seal. You could take it apart and inspect it before buying a kit. If it is smooth and not pitted a light honing to clean up the glaze should work, but if you have to buy a hone you may as well buy the cylinder. The NAPA and Schucks prices are too high. Moss lists an aftermarket cylinder for $43.50. They list the Lockheed/Delphi for $83.55, it may be made in the UK but Delphi does get some parts from the Far East. In short the British Parts N.W. priice is in line. Good luck, Clifton
Clifton Gordon

Even when you do get it back together know that bleeding the clutch can take forever sometimes. They are really good at keeping hidden air bubbles in the loop.
Carl W French

On the other hand, my re-sealed slave cylinder works great 15 yrs on.
At the same time I went to DOT5 too. Somewhat later braided clutch hoses became readily available and I put one of those on too.
Each time I bled the clutch it was a nightmare. Bled and bled and always had a short pedal.
Finally, I learned to just leave it overnight. Bang presto! good pedal after a minor bleeding of one little bubble.

Mike!
mike!

Well...Thanks for all the advise fella's...I ordered a new Slave and hose and it will be here tomorrow and I'll get it in right away...I'm afraid that if I don't get this thing rolling down the highway soon...my wife is going to be hard to live with...I'll update tomorrow night...
Jeff

Thanks for all the advice...The slave was the problem...Had some problems bleeding...was doing it at a angle then I took the car off the jack where it was level and two pumps on the pedal and it was tight...Runs great!!! My wife took it for a 50 mile run with her girlfriend and it made it back without a tow truck...I'm going to run it on a 300 mile trip this week-end just to make sure everything is working proper...Thanks Again...
Jeff

This thread was discussed between 31/07/2004 and 05/08/2004

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