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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Clutch Hydraulic Mystery

Like everyone else who has done it I've had my share of dramas bleeding the clutch on my RWA midget. However, after I've achieved a satisfactory pedal (with Easybleeder) I return later to discover that air has entered the system again. There are no fluid leaks.
To my mind the MC is the most likely culprit, but where else should I be looking?
Mike (on top of the world) Allen
Mike Allen

Slave cylinder for my money.
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

The entire system is new (except for the reservoir cap), and I have some kits on hand to rebuild the old units. I'll try it again with a kit in the old slave and see what happens.
Mike Allen

yes frustrating or what.... I'm in a similar loop, changed the slave, master, still getting a soft pedal, about to change the rubber hose as someone said they sometimes balloon up and can be the culprit.
Just wondering now if the replacement slave was not maybe up to the original spec and could be the cause?
I hope someone can add postitive advice to our plight.
Dave.
DW Warren

I always found that I never got a perfect pedal just from bleeding it once. I bleed the system, using the various well documented "tricks" and get a useable, but not perfect pedal. Then drive it for a couple of days - perhaps 100 miles or so. This seems to shake the system down and allow minute air bubbles still within the system to coalesce. A second bleeding (I use an easibleed) and a bit more driving and the system is then OK. This assumes that there isn't an underlying fault.

Actually, for me this is now history as since I fitted the concentric clutch it self bleeds. I just slacken the remote bleed nipple for a second or two and it purges any air out without even having to press the clutch pedal.

Guy
Guy Weller

Brad takes the cigar. I took out the new slave and replaced it with the (not so) old one after first lightly honing it and fitting a new seal. Cleaned the sealing seats, put a new copper washer on the rubber hose and put some sealant on the hose threads, used a new bleed nipple, and bled the system for the umpteenth time.
I don't know just what it was that fixed it but I still have a pedal three days later. No more air getting sucked into the system.
After a period I'll re-bleed as Guy suggests.
Mike Allen

Mike,I've been thru' this as well and I am more and more convinced that the currently available parts are not fit for purpose, prime suspect is the slave as you seem to have proven by re-fitting the old one.
Maybe you should make a point of returning the new part as faulty, if enough of us do this rather than finding work arounds (grinding the pedal lever in my case)then maybe the supply chain will sort the problem out at source.
The next question is, has anybody in the last couple of years replaced a clutch& hydraulics without having all this hassle (and if so where did you get your parts)?
mike storey

When I went to the braided stainless steel hose on AN fittings (like on the brake lines) it made a big dfferance...Ive often wondered if air gets trapped in the bends and elbows of the the original rubber hose and pipe work

I took the braided stainless steel hose from the slave all the way to the master with no pipe work in between
Prop

mike storey makes a very good point here, my replacement slave cylinder had a quite small bleed nipple connection from the original one making it hard to attach the bleed hose securely and turn the spanner, so may be the unit itself was not to orginal specs. Anyone else had badly fitting units?
Dave.
DW Warren

mike have a look at this link,it makes sense http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj1dMdYgRK4
Rob Newt

Thanks Rob, did that (several times).
We used to be able to buy hydraulic kits in A, B & C sizes, each a poofteenth larger so you could still get good pressure against the wall of the cylinder after a hone.
At least now with SS sleeves in MC & slave I can expect a long life from the clutch hydraulics.
I cant return the dodgy new parts as they were part of a job lot I bought last year. I'll bring them up to spec and get them SS sleeved, and they can go back into the cupboard for when they are again needed by me or someone else.
I've moved on from the hydraulics now. The next step is a safety inspection (MOT) before registering (road tax) the car. After 5 years my wife will have her little toy back again. Good thing she only wanted me to tidy it up a bit. What I like is that the car then moves from 'my' shed to 'her' garage and I get some space back.
By the way, I believe it sound workshop practice to keep Spridgets in separate sheds. I mistakenly allowed a second one into the shed and now there are five!!!


Mike Allen

WOW, those are serious midgets mike, lots of wolf whistles, but no action when I take mine out, maybe the wrong perfume ;>) love to see some more pics, what a great mixture of cars you have.
Dave
DW Warren

This thread was discussed between 28/11/2009 and 03/12/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.