IanR · Jun 30, 2015

Hi,

So it's a new day and once again my (not-so) trusty P38 has developed another issue. This time it seems to be of my own making, the dash readout was informing me that I had low brake/clutch fluid (both are fed from one resevoir on my car) and so I topped it up to the required level. A little while later the clutch went straight to the floor and there was no pressure at all. I tried bleeding it for quite a while with no result, so I had it all off, cleaned etc.

I can now drive it again but I have to pump the clutch for several minutes to generate the required pressure. I know the obvious fix is to buy a new slave/master cylinder set up, but I'd quite like to know what exactly is going wrong?

I am an amateur and so I don't really understand the working on said system, and so am not sure what could be the cause. Anyone with any ideas?

Thanks

tomcat59alan · Jun 30, 2015

You may still have air in the system, when you say "I had it off", nudge nudge wink wink, I assume you mean the slave cylinder. When you put it back on did you put the bleed nipple in the top hole and the pipe in the bottom? If that doesn't work then yes it's down the new parts road. Just hope that the slave cylinder hasn't jacked out because the clutch release fork roll pins have sheared.

IanR · Jun 30, 2015

Hi Tom, thanks for the reply.

Yes I took the slave cylinder off the bell housing, and yes I reconnected the pipes correctly. If the fork pins have sheared would I still be able to get clutch using the pumping method I am currently having to use? As I use the clutch more during driving it gradually returns to full function, but after standing a while it has no pressure at all and must be pumped again.

Grrrrrr · Jun 30, 2015

IanR said:
Hi Tom, thanks for the reply.

Yes I took the slave cylinder off the bell housing, and yes I reconnected the pipes correctly. If the fork pins have sheared would I still be able to get clutch using the pumping method I am currently having to use? As I use the clutch more during driving it gradually returns to full function, but after standing a while it has no pressure at all and must be pumped again.

No, I don't think so. The clutch fork is on the rod that goes through the housing and held by 2 of the ****iest Mickey Mouse pins you have ever seen in your life. When they snap that tends to be it and it is a gearbox off job.

I think Alan is right and there is air in the system. The clutch feed just comes off the side of the reservoir and goes into the clutch master cylinder on the engine bulkhead. It then goes down to the slave cylinder on the side of the bell housing. You might need to bleed the brakes. Follow the instruction in RAVE to the letter. Easier with 2 people.

tomcat59alan · Jun 30, 2015

IanR said:
Hi Tom, thanks for the reply.

Yes I took the slave cylinder off the bell housing, and yes I reconnected the pipes correctly. If the fork pins have sheared would I still be able to get clutch using the pumping method I am currently having to use? As I use the clutch more during driving it gradually returns to full function, but after standing a while it has no pressure at all and must be pumped again.

Hi Ian, it's Alan by the way, sound like air in the system or failed seals in one of the cylinders. If the pins have gone you would have pumped the slave cylinder piston out by now. Did you have fluid in the dust cover of the slave cylinder, if yes it's fecked. Is the top of the clutch pedal wet with fluid, if yes the master cylinder is fecked. If no to these questions then give it another bleed. Get someone to hold the clutch pedal down then release the nipple, see if you can blast any air out.

IanR · Jun 30, 2015

Sorry Alan, somehow I only read the first three letters of your username!

Ok I will go and try again once the school run is over and I can get back outside to my RR. Will either report success or come crawling back for more help later

Cheers guys

Datatek · Jun 30, 2015

IanR said:
Sorry Alan, somehow I only read the first three letters of your username!

Ok I will go and try again once the school run is over and I can get back outside to my RR. Will either report success or come crawling back for more help later

Cheers guys

The fact that you can pump it up confirms what the others said, air in the system.

IanR · Jun 30, 2015

Right you all were. I cleaned and dried underneath the rubber gator and there was no leak. Enlisted the help of a friend and we drove out all the air.

The life of an amateur is a frustrating one let me tell you

Thanks chaps

tomcat59alan · Jun 30, 2015

IanR said:
Right you all were. I cleaned and dried underneath the rubber gator and there was no leak. Enlisted the help of a friend and we drove out all the air.

The life of an amateur is a frustrating one let me tell you

Thanks chaps

Result, well done

Datatek · Jun 30, 2015

tomcat59alan said:
result, well done

+1

IanR

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Grrrrrr

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