Hello all, I have two spare hydro bag, should they be filled with something and sealed or just left open to the air ?

Good question. I have mine out for the resto and have to finish cleaning them up and will fill them until ready to put back in. I will go to Clarke rubber and get some rubber stoppers to seal them. I was told by someone recently, "the usual problem is the rubber in the hose shrinking and leaking at the swaged ends, although both ends can be repaired. The rubber can dry up so maybe even for long term they are best kept with fluid in them". I will be interested to see what replies you get. Cheers.

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

I fill mine up with metho and seal. ...or you could use a simple antirust fluid ( radiator mix) Don't leave open to air as that will promote rust in the bag .

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Simonw
Brisbane QLD
1st car - 1964 Mini Panelvan 850
Previous - 1978 Leyland LS 1275 Gold
- 1969 Mini K

Years ago when I restored my S I hosed out each bag until the rusty muck stopped coming out before refitting and filling with fresh fluid.

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1969 Cooper "S"
1967 Mini Deluxe
1973 Clubman Van (the fleet spare)
1978 ex 1275 LS ("Wizard" Eaton Supercharged)
2015 HSV GenF GTS(occasional drive & tow car)
2019 MINI F55 Cooper S

There was a thread on here about 1 year ago. Don Welch went to a lot of effort to find out more about hydrolastic workings and what could be repaired.
I couldn't find it. It's under the title of "hydrolastocity" or some similar misspelling.
He made a rig to fill and flush the units when not in use. I have tried to do it but can't seem to get much fluid in or out to have any effect.
If you can fill the hose with hydro fluid or even radiator corrosion inhibitor, like Flute said, it should help.
Any steel immersed in hydro fluid will never rust; but any steel parts with dried fluid seem to attract moisture and rust very quickly - like the fittings around the hoses.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

Make that thread from Don Welch Sept 27th, 2013 titled "hydrolastosity".

Definitely store with fluid and cap it to seal

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"Investing my Super in a Cooper" &
"Re-living my Surfing Past in a Woody"

Thanks Bill B, didn't want to name you without your permission.

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

Some time ago I was talking to a person that worked at the BMC Airport West delivery centre and who was an Austin 1800 ute collector.
If you think S hydro bags are rare try finding an Austin 1800 ute bag.
His experience was that bags stored dry inevitably failed when pressurised.
His solution was to store the bags filled with hydro fluid and pressurised to working pressure.
It worked for him.

Hope this helps

RonR

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68 build Mk1 Cooper S
72 Clubman GT project. Total restoration required

Would you not need to restrain the bag's travel, if storing at 275psi? I'd be scared it would deform and blow out...
1800 bags may be sturdier, I dunno.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Too kind.
I've often been named without my permission.
Aussie Brian is right to store with fluid in them. I don't know how you can tell if you have got enough, or even any, fluid into them because the only time I could get fluid into them was using the pump to pressurise to about 100psi and release.
As Drmini says, I don't think you can store them at 275psi because I would fear damaging the unit without a load on it.

Re: minirons reply;

On a side note, the BMC sign is still, but only just, visible in large concrete letters on the front lawn of the Airport West BMC delivery location!

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

Hi Kevin,
Unfortunately I can't ask him what pressure was used as I don't think he is with us anymore.
IIRC he used to hang the bags up somehow or other.

Regards
RonR

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68 build Mk1 Cooper S
72 Clubman GT project. Total restoration required