GrumpyGel
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If the VCU was knackered, then fuel consumption would have dropped removing the props.
Should not have noticeably gone back up though once a good VCU was fitted.
How to recondition a VCU yourself.
- Thread starter Alibro
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Should not have noticeably gone back up though once a good VCU was fitted.
andyfreelandy
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Very tight VCU is best way of generating a pair of 'slicks' on the rear tyres !
Alibro
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He musta saved twenty quid at least.
angrycheese
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Saving fuel! hahahahahahaha
yes! saving fuel in 2wd and still earning LOADSAMONEY!!! 'Cos I wasn't dicking around grinding the front off my vcu trying to save £5 emptying the ****e out of my vcu then washing it out with lung infesting chemicals then fitting grease nipples then refilling my VCU ..........WHAT??? just buy a new one and bolt it on FFS!!!
yes! saving fuel in 2wd and still earning LOADSAMONEY!!! 'Cos I wasn't dicking around grinding the front off my vcu trying to save £5 emptying the ****e out of my vcu then washing it out with lung infesting chemicals then fitting grease nipples then refilling my VCU ..........WHAT??? just buy a new one and bolt it on FFS!!!
Alibro
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I'll bite. Standard modern 'technician' mentality, that. That's why we don't call them mechanics anymore.
I thought the VCU was a truly unserviceable part and am more than happy for the OP to prove me wrong.
It's admirable that someone has the curiosity, patience and skill to attempt a recon, more than once. Money won't buy that.
Madmustang
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I agree, we didn't almost invent everything in the world and then make it bettera by not fiddling around in that great British Institution we call "The Shed"
GrumpyGel
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Madmustang
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lol I used to work for him
andyfreelandy
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Time for a revival.
Might have discussed an idea with Nodge so bought a high pressure grease gun, 10mm x 1.0 screw in grease nipples, 10mm x 1.0 tap set and 2 x 10mm x 1.0mm sump plugs.
Will drill 9mm hole in each end (opposite ends and 180 deg apart from each other) and screw in grease nipple. Try pumping solvent in, then when clean refill with fluid and fit 2 x sump plugs.
What could possibly go wrong??
Might have discussed an idea with Nodge
so bought a high pressure grease gun, 10mm x 1.0 screw in grease nipples, 10mm x 1.0 tap set and 2 x 10mm x 1.0mm sump plugs.Will drill 9mm hole in each end (opposite ends and 180 deg apart from each other) and screw in grease nipple. Try pumping solvent in, then when clean refill with fluid and fit 2 x sump plugs.
What could possibly go wrong??
Alibro
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It might work but you will have to keep turning the VCU as you pump it. I saw a video a while ago where some guy built a system like you describe for cleaning the old gunk out. I think he had it automated with motors and vacuum pumps of the type used to make carbon fibre parts.Time for a revival.
Might have discussed an idea with Nodge
Will drill 9mm hole in each end (opposite ends and 180 deg apart from each other) and screw in grease nipple. Try pumping solvent in, then when clean refill with fluid and fit 2 x sump plugs.
What could possibly go wrong??
I don't know how often he changed the cleaning fluid though but I'd suggest it was pretty often.
andyfreelandy
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Started the VCU experiment. Drilled and tapped.
Letting it drip out overnight before doing anything else.
Not sure the grease gun will pump solvent - we'll see !!
Otherwise chase it out with clean viscous fluid?
If I can crack a quick (ish) way to clean the VCU then this will become a viable reservicing regime.
Dripping in solvent and rotating takes far too long and too much muscle !
Letting it drip out overnight before doing anything else.
Not sure the grease gun will pump solvent - we'll see !!
Otherwise chase it out with clean viscous fluid?
If I can crack a quick (ish) way to clean the VCU then this will become a viable reservicing regime.
Dripping in solvent and rotating takes far too long and too much muscle !
Alibro
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The problem you have is that most of the fluid is stuck between the disks. I'm not sure you will achieve much without thinning it with white spirit or similar and the only way I know of getting the white spirit in between the disks is to rotate it. And rotate it. And rotate it.
andyfreelandy
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So here's the lesson from today's 1/2 hr in workshop.
Grease guns don't pump solvent, not a great surprise.
So, figured that grease is cheaper than the silicone fluid, so pumped it full of grease on the basis that I can easily clean that out with paraffin. Pumping it with grease pushed out the old fluid in copious amounts.
Have left it under pressure and allowing a stream to trickle out.
If, and it is a big if, the grease comes out the other end without contamination, then pumping with the silicone fluid would work by chasing out the old fluid.
Will see what mess greats me on the morrow!!
Grease guns don't pump solvent, not a great surprise.
So, figured that grease is cheaper than the silicone fluid, so pumped it full of grease on the basis that I can easily clean that out with paraffin. Pumping it with grease pushed out the old fluid in copious amounts.
Have left it under pressure and allowing a stream to trickle out.
If, and it is a big if, the grease comes out the other end without contamination, then pumping with the silicone fluid would work by chasing out the old fluid.
Will see what mess greats me on the morrow!!
Madmustang
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And we want pictures of the mess!
Alibro
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Leave the grease in and no more worries about VCU lockup.
It's a novel approach, watching with interest.
I'm going to get round to this at some point, however I've got to sort out my Jatco first.
I have decided to skip the whole cleaning out process, and simply inject fresh fluid with the grease gun. In theory injecting in X amount of fresh fluid will displace the same amount of old fluid. I'm hoping this will be a quick, easy and repeatable process if needed.
I have decided to skip the whole cleaning out process, and simply inject fresh fluid with the grease gun. In theory injecting in X amount of fresh fluid will displace the same amount of old fluid. I'm hoping this will be a quick, easy and repeatable process if needed.
GrumpyGel
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I can't see this working myself, but happy to be proved otherwise
If it does manage to displace anything, it will only displace the least viscous content and leave the worst of the content still in there.
Suppose you could run it for a month to mix it up and repeat, but I recon you'd need to do it a few times to get noticeable improvement - if you can get any in/out that way.
Also need to be careful not to displace air.
andyfreelandy
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I think it is unlikely that old fluid will be neatly pushed off all discs with the new fluid. I am hoping that my experiment will help understand the flow.
My theory was to make room by forcing grease in. Then follow with solvent and work the VCU round, rinse, repeat.
I have found an old oil gun which fits grease nipples and may just force the solvent in.
Parrafin breaks the old VCU fluid down nicely and is not as harmful as brake/clutch cleaner. It also breaks down the grease so maybe onto a winner.
My theory was to make room by forcing grease in. Then follow with solvent and work the VCU round, rinse, repeat.
I have found an old oil gun which fits grease nipples and may just force the solvent in.
Parrafin breaks the old VCU fluid down nicely and is not as harmful as brake/clutch cleaner. It also breaks down the grease so maybe onto a winner.
