so after i fixed my radiator the other week my clutch problems have been getting worse, i dont think it engages all the time. theres always something isnt there! so lately i ahve been having to pump it to build up some pressure, just like what you would do if you ahd low brake pressure. yesterday i checked the clutch master cylinder reservoir thingy, only to find it was half full.

so whats the go? can i just top it up and see if it's leaking from anywhere? if its not, will that be fine or will it need to be bled? and if it needs to be bled, how will i go about this?

thanky very muchski

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78 Leyland Mini - Prince

Yes, you can top it up.

Dont use it as a solution though, just keep topping it up until you find out where its leaking from.

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No more Minis!......For now.

wait until it's half empty , then you can worry...

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the 4 basic personality types...

1. the glass is half full
2. the glass is half empty.
3. half full...no half empty...no...wait what was the question?
4. hey, i ordered a cheeseburger

yeah ok....is there some special kind of clutch fluid i need to get? or is brake fluid and clutch fluid the same diff, like auto trans fluid and power steering fluid.

cheers to both of you, one for the help, and the otehr for the humour

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78 Leyland Mini - Prince

Just use normal brake fluid.

But make sure you find the leak.....its not fun when it stops leaking and just completely fails.

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No more Minis!......For now.

From the master cylinder, follow the pipe down to the hose connection then follow the hose to the slave cylinder. Check each position for a leak. Then prod the rubber boot on the end of the slave cylinder where the rod comes out (or lever it off). If fluid oozes from there you've got a stuffed slave cylinder. If all that is fine, get your head under your dash with a torch and look up to where the clutch pedal end is. If there is moisture there then you've got a stuffed master cylinder. You may beed to prod the boot on the bottom of the master cylinder to get the ooze happening.

Happy hunting!

Oh, and the glass is twice as big as it needs to be...

well yesterday it all went pear shaped. when i press the clutch pedal down nothing happens, i can drive and press the clutch and the rev's dont skyrocket. so im assuming i have broken something between the pedal and the clutch arm? the spring i still attatched, the one connected to the clutch arm, but when the pedal is pressed, there is no movement. not even attempted movement. there is still some clutch fluid in there, but could this be related to the level of fluid? eg not enough pressure to move the clutch arm?

funny thing is, the pedal till springs back up like normal, is there another spring somewhere in the works?

im going to have a look tmorrow, when there is lioght, and i dont ahve uni or work.

oh by the way i had to drive home in first, kept the revs at about 2500-3000 and it took ages. normally 5 mins, took about 20. hmmmmmm (oh i kept out of traffic too)

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78 Leyland Mini - Prince

Time for a reconditioned master cylinder or slave cylinder (or both).
Soubds like you let the level get too low and air is in the system, or air is getting past the seals.

Replace the one leaking fluid and try again.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Just a hint,as this has happened.
Check the hose between the Clutch Master Cylinder and the Clutch Slave Cylinder.
If this hose is old-it can collapse from the inside and stop the fluid from passing from one Cylinder to the other Cylinder.The symptons are usally a clutch pedal hard to push in,or nothing happens at all.
Replace the hose and see if this helps(this is cheaper first,than replacing both cylinders).
You still may have to replace the cylinders.

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There is a spring in the pedal box that returns the pedal and also the return pressure from the master cylinder bringing it back up..That's why it still returns

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