Clutch Fluid and does it have to be 100% bled

Clutch Fluid and does it have to be 100% bled

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Discussion

TVRJAS

Original Poster:

2,391 posts

128 months

Friday 12th December 2014
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Bit of a panic as I'm attending the TiTT event on Sunday.

Was going out today and when I went to take the car out of gear(As I leave it in gear and without the handbrake on) and my foot went to the floor with just a tiny bit of biting point almost to the floor.

I used the car 12 days ago and when I put it away everything seemed as it should be. I checked under the car and couldn't see any fluid,undid the wing panel to check fluid and nothing in there.

Went out in other car to Halfords and picked up some fluid and have now topped up. I wasn't sure if you should pump the clutch with the fluid cap still off but I did,then cap on and pumped again.

It has about 80-85% improvement but the biting point seems closer to the floor than previous,not by much but I personally just don't think it is as it was.

Have done a search on this topic and from what I read looks like it needs bleeding. Well this is where my mechanical side ends loser I also noticed that one of the see-through pipes has a small split where it attaches the chamber pot.

So I'm seeking your advise.... Before I drive down to London at silly O'clock Sunday morning should I try and get this looked at by one of the Pro's if it's possible at such short notice for them to look at it.

Will it get better by using it? I just took the car out the garage and drove it about 20-30 meters and all seemed fine,just not quite as it was. I need to top up with fuel so tomorrow was going to give it a bit of a run.. Fingers crossed.


WinstonWolf

72,857 posts

238 months

Friday 12th December 2014
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Make sure you're certain how the original fluid went missing and that you resolve the problem!!!!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

TVRJAS

Original Poster:

2,391 posts

128 months

Friday 12th December 2014
quotequote all
WinstonWolf said:
Make sure you're certain how the original fluid went missing and that you resolve the problem!!!!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Dopey me just had very similar but on a smaller scale in my garage. As I was topping the chamber up some fluid spilled onto the manifold and WHOOSH a small inferno boxedin I had a wet cloth with me just in case some went on the body so chucked it on and all was out in about 10secs.

The small split in the pipe needs replacing 100% just not sure if it can be done by tomorrow.

I will try calling David Gerald tomorrow to investigate.

pb450

1,301 posts

159 months

Friday 12th December 2014
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It will need bleeding Jason, as air has entered the system. Not a big job on the clutch as it's a pretty short run, unlike the brakes. You need to be able to get to the slave cylinder though, on the side of the gearbox.

I'd be more concerned about where the fluid has gone in the first place. If you have a split on one of the pipes, this will be the culprit. So you need a new pipe and a bleed. (Plus a mop up under the carpet.) Soft pedal is because of the air in the system. Not life threatening but a pain. Check that the system is fluid-tight first.

Hopefully your local specialist can sort it out pretty quickly on the ramp. Just hope he's got a spare slot tomorrow morning. Hopefully see you on Sunday.

TVRJAS

Original Poster:

2,391 posts

128 months

Friday 12th December 2014
quotequote all
Hello Peter,

I have just been over to the garage and there is no fluid on the carpet,everything bone dry(Or do you mean this happens after the bleed)

What I have noticed is that there seems to be some play in the peddle at the top maybe about an inch before you get any compression.

I have a TR6 sitting next to it so started that up and the biting point is identical,foot hardly off the floor(about an inch) and the car moves. It's I'm only thinking that before it maybe 2 inch before you started moving... Could be wrong though... Just doesn't seem right and the play at the top I'm almost certain wasn't there before.

So I shouldn't make a long journey before it's bled?

Thanks for your help so far...... Jas

pb450

1,301 posts

159 months

Saturday 13th December 2014
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Glad to hear things have improved. You've probably compressed any air in the system by using it. Strange where the fluid's gone though. I had a similar thing when my master cylinder was replaced last year. Specialist said the fluid was in the mat but I couldn't see it at all.

Anyway, assuming you have pressure and you've topped up the MS with fluid and there are no visible leaks, you should be ok tomorrow. I'd bring some spare fluid just in case and maybe check level along the way - but not with a hot manifold!!

Good luck and hope all is well tomorrow.

TVRJAS

Original Poster:

2,391 posts

128 months

Saturday 13th December 2014
quotequote all
Yeah all a bit of a mystery.

I have put the clutch fluid bottle in the boot + a phillips screwdriver just in case. It was serviced about 2,500 miles ago.. Is checking the clutch fluid part of the service? If so then I must have a leak somewhere.. just not visible to me. But then my mechanical skills are 1/10 on the scale.

Hopefully all will be succsessful and will get it booked in for a check over.

No need to reply as all being well we can have a natter tomorrow.. Cheers Peter

Regards Jas

pb450

1,301 posts

159 months

Saturday 13th December 2014
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Yes, checking the level should be part of the service.

Good luck and see you tomorrow. I'm in a chimaera, similar colour to yours, R450 WOW.

TVRJAS

Original Poster:

2,391 posts

128 months

Saturday 13th December 2014
quotequote all
pb450 said:
Yes, checking the level should be part of the service. Bugger I was hoping you said no and it was due to usage and not been topped up in awhile smile

Good luck and see you tomorrow. I'm in a chimaera, similar colour to yours, R450 WOW.
Will keep my eyes peeled... Good plate btw... Me JAS 107N

pb450

1,301 posts

159 months

Saturday 13th December 2014
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thumbup

pb450

1,301 posts

159 months

Sunday 14th December 2014
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Good to meet you this morning Jason, albeit briefly. I didn't see you again after we left the start but we made it round most of the course. thumbup Hope you did too.

I hope the clutch held up ok and you're on your way north again now. Next time perhaps we'll see a little more daylight. smile all the best.

Peter

TVRJAS

Original Poster:

2,391 posts

128 months

Monday 15th December 2014
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Hi Peter,

Likewise nice to put another helpful face to a usernamethumbup

My car had no issues around London or the journey home,but my convoy run was not so successful. It all went a bit wrong when following a Tuscan and directly behind a Cerb when I saw the indicator of Tuscan turning right and the Cerbera was flashing left. I Followed the Cerb which headed to Puddle Dock and when we got there we were the only two cars.

On inspection of the map he realized that the Tuscan was indeed correct,we decided to try and pick the route back up and within 5 minutes about 8 TVR's were heading the other way so a quick u turn and joined them.

All going well when Paul(the organizer) driving Lesley's black Griff blew a hole in the plenum,an amazing repair was carried out which got him going and we decided to limp the car to the Finish point of Battersea park. We lost Paul at some lights and I followed Jamie & Shelly to the park and we were the only ones there. Jamie called Paul and told us we were at the wrong entrance gave directions and said follow me(I didn't hear the directions) well I lost Jamie at some lights that i waited about 5 mins at sleep. Not a clue where I was (Birmingham Boy here) I drove round for about 15-20 mins and spotted a Blue Tuscan in the distance. Caught up with him and started to follow for a few minutes when he pulled over and navigator got out the car and asked if I was heading to the Teddy Bear run because that's where they were heading,Nope was my answer so decided to pump home on my sat nav so missed the gathering at the finish frown.

Of course it's all my own fault for not studying Paul's amazing well put together directions,but I was counting on that he could load it all on my sat nav but alas he was unable to load the info.

Not bad either was I did the whole trip 260 miles on 1 tank of fuelbowtie which when you think 3 hrs was revving and stop start driving around London is pretty good.

Sorry for the ramble Peter smile

pb450

1,301 posts

159 months

Monday 15th December 2014
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Jason, YHM

TVRJAS

Original Poster:

2,391 posts

128 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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Just to finalize the thread as to my loss of clutch.

I made it there and back to the TiTT event and the clutch seemed to get better during the stop start London traffic but wanted in checked over on my return.

On investigation it was down to a leaky clutch Slave cylinder,to bad to refit a seal kit so a new one put on and a system bleed.The clear pipe i mentioned that had a split was of no concern as this is just a cover over the copper pipe. I'm sure you more experienced guy's would already no that but me who knows very little I thought that could of been the problem(You learn something everyday)

Great customer service with a bill I was quite happy with from David Gerald.

Edited by TVRJAS on Friday 19th December 12:10