Is this a leak in the clutch master cylinder?

[Ireland]

While I was fitting the new accelerator cable to the car I spotted this



It's a drop of fluid on the outer seal.

Have I another job pending ..... ?

[BLUETHUNDER]

Yep.Get busy soon.

[Ireland]

Great.

Right, what's the procedure for this one?

[jensena]

Remove the clutch master cylinder cover in the engine bay, 2 bolts inside there hold the cylinder in place, you may need some one else in the footwell to hold the other end of the bolt to stop it turning, disconnect the pipes, then fit the new one.
Not sure what it's off Ireland, but judging by your past threads, you'll be able to knock one up from an old milk bottle, 2 paper clips and a dongle shaft from a DAF truck : Trouble is once you fit a new Master cylinder the slave invariably comes out in sympathy. a few hundred miles later.
Don't you just hate these cars just as much as you love them !!

[350matt]

Its entirely possible to do the seals in situ (providing that the bore is OK), bled the clutch dry 1st, just remove the clevis pin, pop the boot off the end and remove the circlip then 'bounce' the cylinder out, fit all new seals and away you go.

Matt

[Ireland]

I think I like the idea of doing it in place better than removing the whole thing.

I've ripped enough bits out of that bloody car to do me a lifetime.

And the slave might be next .....

[Extra 300 Driver]

Ireland said:

I think I like the idea of doing it in place better than removing the whole thing.

I've ripped enough bits out of that bloody car to do me a lifetime.

And the slave might be next .....

It doesnt look too bad, it may be some rubber grease that is used during the build.

Perhaps keep an eye on it?

[byker28i]

I'd agree. Before ripping stuff apart I'd give it a clean and see how bad it is.

[Ireland]

I'll have a good look at it alright but it does look like a fluid leak rather than a grease.

I't not bad, just a tiny amount, and there's no trace of any on the floor of the car under it so it can't be leaking too long.

Right now it's nothing to worry about and, if it's an easy fix, I'd like to keep it that way.

[BLUETHUNDER]

Well finally replaced my leaking master master cylinder,just in time for the Brands track day.And what a b***ard job.But isnt everything on a Cerb.5 hours in total.But most of that was spent trying to line up the fluid pipe on top of the master and for it to thread to it properly.But it hasnt sorted ot my clutch problems.At one point whilst about to go out for a second time yesterday,i couldnt get any gears at all.Switched off,put it in first,started it up pulled it out of first and pushed it straight back in again and could select all the gears again?? Cant wait for it to pack up completely so it can be pulled apart.

[Mad Mark]

I didn't realise you were still having problems, you should have said and I would have tried to have a look and offer some help.

[BLUETHUNDER]

Mad Mark said:

I didn't realise you were still having problems, you should have said and I would have tried to have a look and offer some help.

Didnt want to bother anyone on there day of fun.But do you want the job of fitting a new clutch slave and release bearing??

[Mad Mark]

You had better determine the fault first

I'll have a count up of the 'clicks' for the settings of my shocks and let you know, you can try them out on yours see if it handles any better.

[BLUETHUNDER]

Mad Mark said:

You had better determine the fault first

I'll have a count up of the 'clicks' for the settings of my shocks and let you know, you can try them out on yours see if it handles any better.

Well it can only be one of the three mentioned.And as you know seeing as its so involved,thought it might be better to change the lot rather than do one bit.Then for another to go a few months or miles later.Just to let you know on the shocks front.I have 18 clicks from soft on the rear and 15 from soft on the front.

[Ireland]

Did you replace the full master cylinder or just the seals on it?

And did you manage to see any Ford / Peugeot / VW / etc markings and numbers on it?

We'll eventually find out what it's off .....

[BLUETHUNDER]

Ireland said:

Did you replace the full master cylinder or just the seals on it?

And did you manage to see any Ford / Peugeot / VW / etc markings and numbers on it?

We'll eventually find out what it's off .....

I replaced the whole master.its a Girling part ordered from Clevor Trevor about £67 with a next day delivery.To be honest its not worth messing about with seals when the part is that reasonable.And whats to say that once a seal kit has been fitted it still leaks due to the cylinder being scored.

[Ireland]

BLUETHUNDER said:

Ireland said:

Did you replace the full master cylinder or just the seals on it?

And did you manage to see any Ford / Peugeot / VW / etc markings and numbers on it?

We'll eventually find out what it's off .....

I replaced the whole master.its a Girling part ordered from Clevor Trevor about £67 with a next day delivery.To be honest its not worth messing about with seals when the part is that reasonable.And whats to say that once a seal kit has been fitted it still leaks due to the cylinder being scored.

Good point.