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MG MGA - Brake Fluid Leak

Recently I have been losing brake fluid but have been unable to spot the culprit other than definitely rule out the MC. Unfortunately I have back and knee problems at the moment. Knee replacement booked for November. Nothing can be done with my back, so I have not been able to have a proper look other than a general peer at all 4 corners which also appear dry. However, yesterday afternoon, with the aid of my flexible shaft grabbing tool, I managed to place a piece of blue paper towel under a couple of the pipes on the 5-way union. A couple of hours later I thought I spotted a blob of staining. Hooray, found it. However this morning, shining a light at the union, the blob seemed to have disappeared. Perhaps it was just a shadow caused by the LED fine spotlight. B****r. That was until I grabbed the paper towel back out (photo).

I'm not 100% sure why the union started weeping but I have my suspicions. I had to replace the brake light switch about 6 months ago. Because of my current impairments I, for the first time in my 26 year ownership, let someone else touch my car. I took it to my village garage. I am guessing their twisting on the union whilst replacing the switch disturbed one of the pipes. However, I cannot be 100% certain the leak is not from the switch but it visually looks dry. I will have a closer look now I have zeroed down my search.

A day of agony getting the car up on the ramp to tighten the joints, fill and bleed the system.

Getting in and out of the car at the moment is another issue.

Steve



Steve Gyles

I know the feeling Steve,
only 3 or 4 years ago I removed my engine and gearbox and then re-fitted them, all on my own and I managed surprisingly well.

Today, my back plays up after only having checked the oil! :^)

My current problem is that I am told that I have a completely worn out left ankle joint and that the solutions are to either fuse it or fit a complete replacement.

I am not so keen on the 1st option as I think I would struggle with clutch control. But option 2 means a long recovery time and I would be reluctant to have to give up driving, even just temporarily.

So I am having to resort to taking painkillers for the time being and see how long I can carry on.

I know my car is not exactly standard, but I would be really reluctant to have to install an automatic gearbox! :^)

Cheers
Colyn
Colyn Firth

Colyn

I am getting quite depressed about it all. I got the car lifted but even then could not get comfortable on my back trying to access the 5-way union. An hour of setting up, lifting and inspecting and that was me done for the day. I have had an MRI scan on the knee. Totally shot. I started off through the NHS several months ago. My first appointment with a specialist was to be mid September. I phoned him up and saw him the following day privately! Knee replacement in November. Can't do it sooner as injection he gave me (didn't work) has to wait 3 months to work out of the system. NHS operation would have been 18 months to 2 years.

I have taken the bitter pill and got the car booked in for 10 Aug to let my garage sort it. In the meantime I am going to renew the chain cover seal and gasket. Weeping a bit there after 16 years. At least with all the oil (20/50 and silicone fluid) I don't have a rust problem!

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve,

I had to replace my brake light switch just before traveling to GT-47 in Colorado. While attempting to remove it I bent the union going to the rear brakes to the point where it caused a small leak.

My guess is that is probably your problem.

BTW, age entered into my problem as well - I eventually gave up trying to loosen the switch and replace the brake line and took it to a local shop I trusted (owner is former US Army Tank mechanic).

He replaced the switch and ran a new brake line. The brakes are fine and gave no troubles during long trip to/from the GT.

- Ken

KR Doris

Steve
Really sorry to read your post. I have been there too, my knee has only recently improved after an infection that took 18 months and several injections to sort. And my back has also just recovered after several weeks of agony. Sadly we are all getting older, but I guess the alternative is worse!
I dont know where you are in Hampshire but I am in Beaconsfield, so if its not too far away and you ever you need a bit of help, I'd be happy to see if I can help
Graham V

Graham

Thanks for your offer. It's the underneath stuff that is limiting but I will manage. Down in Fleet by the way.

My issues are the result of my ejection. I was told at the time I might end up in a wheelchair. Shattered the base of the spine and punctured a disc which blew all its contents inwards onto the spinal cord causing irreparable damage down the lower left side. Permanently numb left foot and now my right knee is shot. Over compensating for the damage when walking I guess. At least I managed to keep flying bang seat aircraft for another 12 years.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Sounds nasty Steve - well the offer stands. Fleet is about 45 minutes from here.
But didn't you have a pneumatic lift?
Graham V

Yes. Not plucked up the courage to raise it fully. Perhaps I'll give it a go tomorrow.
Steve Gyles

Steve

Sorry to hear about your health problems. I do know at least one guy who drives his A fine after a recent knee op but I don’t know anyone else who has ejected. I presume landing in one of the biggest sand pits (Tentsmuir beach?) in the uk after your ejection didn’t help you landing. Seriously that union is in a sod of a place and very easy to twist.

Photo shows Colyn’s car, with Chris, at lunch yesterday in Glen Clova after a rather long drive from Yorkshire. By the way the other car is Ian Wilson’s.

Paul



Paul Dean

Paul

Thanks for your thoughts. I am sure the knee will be fine in due course. The back is another matter.

I actually hit the runway very hard. The sandy beach half a mile away would have been better! It was the result of a major control transient at high speed during the take-off roll in an F4. The aircraft simply went broadside accelerating fast through 120mph(ish) and I couldn't hold her. As we hit the side of the runway there was a bright red flash in my left mirror. As I turned my head expecting to see a fireball developing I realised it was the nav's canopy going as part of his ejection sequence. The F4 wasn't renowned for cross country, causing possible cockpit distortion and jamming the canopies closed etc. A USAF pilot had died trapped in his cockpit on fire in a similar incident. The advice to us was to make an early decision on exiting before going all terrain at high speed. I followed my nav in very quick order. Unfortunately the seat carcass did not fall away immediately on chute deployment (I still had an iron grip on the bottom firing handle which remained attached). Consequently I descended very fast from about 200ft, overtaking the nav. I realised the problem and let go of the handle barely 2 seconds before impact and smashed into the runway on my backside. Ouch. The whole thing lasted barely 7 seconds; The consequences a lifetime.

The front cockpit was later found to have distorted slightly and cracked. It was repaired and the aircraft flew again. It continued to have random transients throughout its life, including once more with me. At the end of its life it was dismantled and I was later told they found the flying control's yaw rate gyro assembly had never been secured to the aircraft's frame with its 4 mounting bolts. It therefore sent false signals through the control systems, countering pilot input. Where have we heard that recently?!

Steve








Steve Gyles

Had another look today. Put the hoist a notch higher and got reasonable access to the 5-way Union. I was then pleasantly surprised to find the brake light switch tightened up quite happily about half a turn. It is the type with the tapered thread. Makes me wonder about my local garage who fitted it. Leaving it overnight for a weapage check. Then a bleed.

Investigations revealed possible front seal leak (MGB rubber seal). Next job. Cover off.


Steve Gyles

This thread was discussed between 29/07/2022 and 01/08/2022

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