How Strange

[DodgyDave]

Two weeks ago I started to loose my clutch. Then last week it got too bad to use so I hung the car keys up till I had time to investigate.
But while the car was sitting I lost brakes as well!!

So this weekend I put the car up in the air so I can get underneath and start trouble shooting.

I started with the clutch and got everything out to bleed it.
Took the cap off the master cylinder to see that it is dry apart from dirt and some residue.
So cleaned it out thinking Im probably not going a clutch after all.
I do love jumping to the most wrong possible conclusion!!!
Once clean I topped it up and went to bleed the slave. Un-done the bleed screw and nothing came out...... bit more, nothing...... bit more and the screw falls out, Shit!
Must be blocked, Oh well, new slave then!

So I continue next with the brakes. My word, Ive never seen such bad fluid. Sort of a thick green milkshake! When was the last time this was serviced I wonder.
Well I flushed the whole system with brand new stuff and started her up to check the peddle pressure.
WOW what a difference! And it only cost me a fiver.

But while the car was up in the air with the engine running I check the clutch
WOW It works and not just just but better than before.
Put the car back on wheels and go for a drive.
Blimey...... how the hell.....How strange!!

Still going strong now
Any ideas?

[KentishS2]

Hi Dave,

What did the fluid previously look like in the reservoir, or hadn't you checked it for a while naughty boy?

[DodgyDave]

Errmmmmmm....... I had, sort off......never checked it

Im sorry, so sorry! I dont deserve an S Sniff




sorry

[shnozz]

Chimaeras often suffer the same fate, although in fairness the fluid reservoir on the is beneath a fixed cover which is usually then sealed in place to avoid leaks...

[KentishS2]

To be fair, I've also known the fluid in the resrvoir to look perfectly clean and the fluid in a slave cylinder or master cylinder to be filthy and full of muck. But not on the S, as I haven't checked the fluid during the past 30 months...

Have really but trying to make you feel less guilty!

[DodgyDave]

KentishS2 said:

Have really but trying to make you feel less guilty!

Awww thanks mate, appreciate that

I thought though that the reservoir for the clutch was the master cylinder?
It was this which was empty and filthy!

[pies]

KentishS2 said:

Hi Dave, What did the fluid previously look like in the reservoir, or hadn't you checked it for a while naughty boy?

In fairness he/s only had it a couple of months

[DodgyDave]

pies said:

KentishS2 said: Hi Dave, What did the fluid previously look like in the reservoir, or hadn't you checked it for a while naughty boy? In fairness he/s only had it a couple of months

Everyone is soooo nice here

[KentishS2]

pies said:

KentishS2 said: Hi Dave, What did the fluid previously look like in the reservoir, or hadn't you checked it for a while naughty boy? In fairness he/s only had it a couple of months

Uhhm I don't know, should be a first day of ownership check really. Should we be kind or make him walk the plank?

[DodgyDave]

I know I was a fool for not checking the fluids (except oil) but I quite like fixing cars, (Did I just say that) so was actually looking forward to getting the engine out to change the clutch.
Seems that is only needed on the V8's anyway!

I broke all the rules when buying my S except for engine and chassis condition which were both very good!

[tvrgit]

KentishS2 said:

Uhhm I don't know, should be a first day of ownership check really. Should we be kind or make him walk the plank?

I suspect if we were to force every member who has, at some time, done something silly to their S, to walk a plank, then there would be nobody left to hold the other end of the plank down.

Some people, of course, would be considerably further out along the plank than others.

[Dodgy Dave]

In my defence I didnt actually do anything silly to my S just was silly enough not to do a full service when I first got it.
The silly person was the owner before who probably thought it was to much trouble to bleed the brakes, and he had an engine crane in his garage

[sotonS2]

Your symptoms were exactly the same as mine. Lost gears - checked master cylinder reservoir and it was bone dry apart from some thick black residue. Yeah, I know should have checked it a while back but I think I lost all the fluid (and there aint much of it) in one half hour drive a couple of weeks ago.

Filled the reservoir and undid the bleed nipple - nothing came out at all. Took the bleed nipple right off and the bleed hole was full of the same black sh*t from the reservoir.

Whilst at it, took the slave cylinder off and the bore had become crusted with hardened black sh*t. At first I thought the slave was knackered but wet & dried the cack off, rebuilt it and it seems fine.

[WildfireS3]

Yep happened to me a while ago. Bone dry master, topped it up and presto clutch! But I have since had a full service this weekend. Clutch bleed, tappets, Gearbox oil change, tracking, etc. Car runs well now.