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MG MGA - MGA Master Cylinder

Yesterday I filled my newly rebuilt master cylinder with fluid for the first time and bled the brakes without problem using the traditional method, however, I cannot get any fluid out of the clutch side.

I have read the archives and cannot see an answer to my query, which is, can I take the front cover off without the pistons coming out because of pressure from the return springs. I would like to check if the problem is with the piston not coming far enough forward to allow fluid into the cylinder from the reservoir and I would therefore like to leave fluid in the reservoir to do this.

Any advice would be welcome.

Maurice.
M. Standish

I just finsihed the same job and had the same problem. Strange as it may sound but after trying the pedal down...pedal up method for over half an hour I crawled under the car to see what was happening. I then squeezed the rubber cover of the clutch cyl several times and when we started to redo the bleed, it only took 3 or 4 strokes and it was perfect. I dont understand it but I cant fault it. TRY IT. Gordon
Gordon Harrison

Maurice

I have always used the Eezi Bleed system and never had any problems. It forces the fluid through the system and requires no pedal pumping, so its's a one person job.

See here for an example:
http://www.holden.co.uk/viewProducts.asp?supergroup=&analysiscode=1412&groupname=Tools&group=095

Steve
Steve Gyles

Hi Maurice. I have had this problem also. Try pushing the pushrod as deep into the clutch slave cylinderas possible, and then bleed the cylinder. Keep repeating this process. Pushing the pushrod pushes the piston deeper into the slave cylinder. This minimizes the amount of trapped air, making bleeding much easier. Good Luck! Glenn
Glenn

Even though the slave nipple is at the bottom, I believe that the bleed hole is drilled so that it is in the top part of the cylinder.

I too use an Eezibleed (much better than a vacuum pump) but also use an assistant, so the whole thing is done in minutes. It's a good tip to press the piston right back with a lever.

dominic clancy

Thanks for all your input.

What I can't get my head around is the fact that there doesn't seem to be any fluid getting from the reservoir into the clutch cylinder, otherwise I would have thought that I would have seen some fluid coming out of the banjo union at the back of the m/c when I push the piston in, or am I missing something.

I will try to push the slave cylinder piston as far in as possible a few times as suggested when I [finally] get home this evening, and if this doesn't work I will buy an Easi-bleed - anything to avoid taking the whole thing apart again!

Thanks again for your suggestions.

Maurice
M. Standish

I just completed this job this last weekend. The reason for the problem getting the clutch to bleed is the routing of the clutch line. It is higher than the lowest point of the cylinder and therefore when the air rises, it is hard to push the air bubble down the pipe and out of the bleed on the slave cylinder.

To get around this I used a microvac system, and i had the clutch bleed in less than five minuets.

I used the same for the brakes and it works great.

JP Jim

I tried the other tips but with no success so yesterday I bought an Eezi-bleed, and, once I got over the fact that there were no instructions in the box, the job was done in about three minutes flat. I could recommend this piece of kit to anyone.

Thanks to you all for your help.

Maurice
M. Standish

This thread was discussed between 25/09/2006 and 27/09/2006

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.