clutch slave cylinder

[staggering]

Guys

Spent sometime last weekend fitting a new clutch slave cylinder (old one leaking). Successful with all the bleeding etc - checked level of fluid just now - nearly all gone again

Coz its too cold / no enthusiasm to buy another just yet, does anyone know if I can use car with a small plastic sheet under the master cylinder cap (this blocks the breather and reduces the amount of fluid loss) oristhe breather needed during normal use etc

thanks

Ian

[Ian Durrant]

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I think you will keep the fluid but the clutch will just stop working anyway. The breather lets air in above the fluid, therefore letting the fluid replace what's been lost. If you block it, it won't replace whats lost, you'll get air in the system and it won't work any more.

Sorry but you either have to keep topping it up or fix it. Eventually the latter anyway

Kind regards
Ian

[stustag]

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staggering wrote:

Guys

Spent sometime last weekend fitting a new clutch slave cylinder (old one leaking). Successful with all the bleeding etc - checked level of fluid just now - nearly all gone again

Coz its too cold / no enthusiasm to buy another just yet, does anyone know if I can use car with a small plastic sheet under the master cylinder cap (this blocks the breather and reduces the amount of fluid loss) oristhe breather needed during normal use etc

thanks

Ian

Hi Ian

Have you checked your master cylinder for leaks?

I would suggest that a new slave will not leak but the master maybe into the bulkhead!

Stuart

[martin]

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Hi Ian, in the freezing weather, keep topping up with water, it'll do no harm short term and it's cheap, and yes, it does work. When the weather returns to normal you can deal with the root problem, just don't leave it outside overnight. Martin.

[Ian Durrant]

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Martin I don't think you read this post. Its surely not advisable to top the clutch master cylinder up with water!!!! :P

[martin]

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Hi Ian, I did read it thanks. My suggestion is a cheap/free way of keeping the car running, there's no issue with using water, if it's short term. Years ago I ran a Cortina like that through a whole winter with no problems. Once the weather improves it can be dealt with properly. Plastic sheet won't stop air getting in behind the fluid, that's an urban myth. Martin.

[Ian Durrant]

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So the brakes don't get to 100 degrees if its cold out? Maybe not if you're doing 15 miles an hour on sheet ice but frankly its bloody dangerous to use water in brakes. I thought you were joking but if you meant it then I am aghast.

[martin]

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Ian Durrant wrote:

So the brakes don't get to 100 degrees if its cold out? Maybe not if you're doing 15 miles an hour on sheet ice but frankly its bloody dangerous to use water in brakes. I thought you were joking but if you meant it then I am aghast.

Brakes - who said brakes ? Look at the post again - clutch ! Martin.

[Ian Durrant]

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Doh!

You are right. I'll go back and re-read the post.

[martin]

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Ian Durrant wrote:

Doh!

You are right. I'll go back and re-read the post.

M.

[staggering]

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Thanks chaps - will pluck up courage to wrap up warm and get under car to have a look - because old slave had fluid dripping from it I thought it was the slave cylinder,I take Ian Ds point about the master cylinder and will check for any leaks this week, thanks again

Ian

[StagnJag]

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Daft question, but did you put the slave cylinder the right side of the mounting plate?

I changed mine earlier this year. I put the machined face of the slave cylinder flange, which was the side nearest the plunger, against the mounting plate, but this leaves the plunger so far out that the fluid leaks out when you put your foot on the clutch. The body of the slave cylinder needs to pass through the mounting flange so the flange is on the side nearest the gearbox cross shaft. If that makes sense!

Rgds

Dave

[peter f]

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I think pictures are on a previous thread on the subject if you have any doubts (FWIW)
cheers
Peter f