Symptoms: Clutch slips/spins? under heavy load eventually loses drive altogether, worse when hot and then frequently afterwards. Doesn’t work in any ratio or with difflock on – can sit there in gear ticking over. Gears all work fine and drives fine most of the time. Leave it alone for half an hour then I can get drive, slips on inclines but gets a bite and settles down if I don't push it too hard. Put a trailer on it and I might as well forget it.

It has had: 2 new clutch’s one new slave cylinder, new release fork. No evidence of oil contamination on anything.

I have changed the engine (2.5NA) as the old one had blown the head when I bought it so swapped out for a good ex MOD one and put the new clutch in at the time including the heavy duty release arm – all worked fine until trying to tow. Now been in and out of the vehicle twice - nothing obviously wrong, broken or bent.

The only thing I have not changed is the master cylinder – which was only a couple of years old when I got the landy.

One odd thing I did notice is that if I slacken off the clutch slave it is under pressure – so if instead of unbolting it I slacken off the bleed nipple, fluid under pressure spews out.

I have adjusted the clutch all different ways and no difference to the pedal, it disengages/engages at the very top of the travel – I cannot get it to bite any lower.

Any ideas? I suspect a problem with the master cylinder, (what would stop the fluid returning) only part I haven’t changed but as was newish had left it alone – the two things that bother me are the pressurised slave and the fact that I cannot adjust the ‘bite’ – it is always at the very top.

Cheers for any help with this one.

Sure sounds like the m/cyl is not allowing the slave to release, could be pedal push rod position is wrong HTSH

summats not allowing return of fluid..

tacr2man said:

Sure sounds like the m/cyl is not allowing the slave to release, could be pedal push rod position is wrong HTSH

Click to expand...

I guess it's time to swap the master cylinder out - any recommendations as to make/where to get one that's been tried and you guys have found to be OK?.

I have never had a master cylinder do this to me before, loose it's seal yes but not stop the slave working - that's a weird one on me.

By the way - what is HTSH?

HTSH Hope Thats Some Help

Your m/cyl might be OK it may be just down to adjustment (see manual) otherwise

LAND ROVER DEFENDER 90/110/130 CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER - STC500100 | eBay

STC500100 Land Rover Defender 90 110 200 Tdi Clutch Master Cylinder | eBay

they are all much of a muchness have used ran c inpast
usual disclaimers

Ha! Yes it is a great deal of help - cheers, I will get one and post back, hopefully with a 'fixed' at the end of it..

Yes I have adjusted the hell out of it but still the same symptoms.

Ok - just got the new master cylinder in - when I took the old one off and dismantled it, it was clear that there was a physical fault. I don't understand what the piece actually does but as it no longer fitted into the main body that holds the two seals it was being left behind when I took my foot off the clutch and obviously kept the slave pressurised. This was a new one on me but I wish I had just swapped it out before putting in a new clutch.

You guys know what it does?