Clutch Hydraulic Problems - can you help please?

XRayLee · 21st March 2021, 18:11

Hello everyone
This is the first time I have posted on any forum and I would be extremely grateful for any help you can give please.

My wife and I were recovered recently by an extremely helpful AA driver and the car, a 2002, 75 diesel, was dropped at our local mechanic. We have used him for many years but he is now at his wit's end. He has replaced the master cylinder with a new Rover original (the part number corresponds with the old unit), fluid is coming from the bleed valve but the pedal has no pressure at all.

There is no sign of fluid beneath the bellhousing from the slave cylinder and he fitted a new three piece clutch (one of those recommended on this forum, although I don't recall the make) about 30,000 miles ago. He reports there was fluid on the footrest below the clutch pedal, hence the change of master cylinder.

Thank you in advance for any help; my wife is desperate to get her 75 back.

trikey · 21st March 2021, 18:14

Hello and welcome, I would have another look at the slave cylinder, they don't always leak fluid out of the bellhousing when they fail.

If you disconnect the clutch at the quick connector near the bellhousing, press the pedal, if its firm then its the slave that's at fault.

XRayLee · 21st March 2021, 18:40

Hello Trikey

Thank you very much for the quick reply, I'll contact him tomorrow.

macafee2 · 21st March 2021, 18:53

If you cannot find fluid under the bell housing try the following.

Remove the master cylinder cap, remove the rubber seal, often referred to as a condom from inside the master cylinder. The master cylinder does not hold a lot of fluid but check how much is in there. If the mechanic thinks there is sufficient then an internal seal in the master cylinder may have failed. As the clutch pedal is pushed down fluid is pushed down the hydraulic pipe. With bleed valve open the seal may be good enough to still push fluid along the pipe but with the valve closed the seal may be allowing clutch fluid to bypass it and remain in the master cylinder.
If you are lucky this is the problem as it is cheaper and easier to replace.

Actually I should have read trikeys post better. If the quick coupling is apart and the clutch pedal still goes to the floor even slowly the master has failed. My master failed in only 11 months ?
Could try bleeding the whole system just in case

good luck

macafee2

XRayLee · 21st March 2021, 22:06

Thanks for confirming and adding to the picture, I appreciate you taking the time to help and will update you both on the situation when I hear from the mechanic tomorrow.

COLVERT · 22nd March 2021, 10:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRayLee

Thanks for confirming and adding to the picture, I appreciate you taking the time to help and will update you both on the situation when I hear from the mechanic tomorrow.

The picture below might be handy.---

XRayLee · 22nd March 2021, 12:17

Thanks for the diagram, it's very clear and could save both time and the scratching of heads. I struggle with connectors of most kinds so it's particularly welcome.

Ducati750cc · 22nd March 2021, 15:02

Sometimes bleeding by using a vacuum pump on the bleed nipple purges air out of the system similarly introducing fresh fluid via the bleed nipple can also purge air from the system.

Obvious care must be taken with the second system to collect expelled fluid and prevent damage as the master cylinder overflows.

roverbarmy · 22nd March 2021, 15:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducati750cc

Sometimes bleeding by using a vacuum pump on the bleed nipple purges air out of the system similarly introducing fresh fluid via the bleed nipple can also purge air from the system.

Obvious care must be taken with the second system to collect expelled fluid and prevent damage as the master cylinder overflows.

Old washing up bowl under the pedal/master cylinder area + lots of paper towel. A long flat screwdriver is often needed to tap/remove the cap on our cars.

XRayLee · 22nd March 2021, 19:03

Thanks for this information, I can see the issue with the master cylinder overflowing.

I spoke to the mechanic today but he hasn't had the opportunity to work on the car today. I will try and visit tomorrow to check on any progress and talk to him in person about the recommendations.

All the best.

21st March 2021, 18:11	#1
XRayLee Newbie Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Birmingham Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Clutch Hydraulic Problems - can you help please? Hello everyone This is the first time I have posted on any forum and I would be extremely grateful for any help you can give please. My wife and I were recovered recently by an extremely helpful AA driver and the car, a 2002, 75 diesel, was dropped at our local mechanic. We have used him for many years but he is now at his wit's end. He has replaced the master cylinder with a new Rover original (the part number corresponds with the old unit), fluid is coming from the bleed valve but the pedal has no pressure at all. There is no sign of fluid beneath the bellhousing from the slave cylinder and he fitted a new three piece clutch (one of those recommended on this forum, although I don't recall the make) about 30,000 miles ago. He reports there was fluid on the footrest below the clutch pedal, hence the change of master cylinder. Thank you in advance for any help; my wife is desperate to get her 75 back.

21st March 2021, 18:14	#2
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,765 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	Hello and welcome, I would have another look at the slave cylinder, they don't always leak fluid out of the bellhousing when they fail. If you disconnect the clutch at the quick connector near the bellhousing, press the pedal, if its firm then its the slave that's at fault. __________________ Lest we forget..

21st March 2021, 18:53	#4
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,912 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	If you cannot find fluid under the bell housing try the following. Remove the master cylinder cap, remove the rubber seal, often referred to as a condom from inside the master cylinder. The master cylinder does not hold a lot of fluid but check how much is in there. If the mechanic thinks there is sufficient then an internal seal in the master cylinder may have failed. As the clutch pedal is pushed down fluid is pushed down the hydraulic pipe. With bleed valve open the seal may be good enough to still push fluid along the pipe but with the valve closed the seal may be allowing clutch fluid to bypass it and remain in the master cylinder. If you are lucky this is the problem as it is cheaper and easier to replace. Actually I should have read trikeys post better. If the quick coupling is apart and the clutch pedal still goes to the floor even slowly the master has failed. My master failed in only 11 months ? Could try bleeding the whole system just in case good luck macafee2 Last edited by macafee2; 21st March 2021 at 18:58..

22nd March 2021, 15:02	#8
Ducati750cc Loves to post Rover75 tourer Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Ashton Posts: 428 Thanks: 121 Thanked 206 Times in 145 Posts	Sometimes bleeding by using a vacuum pump on the bleed nipple purges air out of the system similarly introducing fresh fluid via the bleed nipple can also purge air from the system. Obvious care must be taken with the second system to collect expelled fluid and prevent damage as the master cylinder overflows. __________________ Common sense isn't a gift, it's a punishment because you have to deal with everyone who doesn't have it.

21st March 2021, 18:40	#3
XRayLee Newbie Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Birmingham Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Hello Trikey Thank you very much for the quick reply, I'll contact him tomorrow.

21st March 2021, 22:06	#5
XRayLee Newbie Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Birmingham Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks for confirming and adding to the picture, I appreciate you taking the time to help and will update you both on the situation when I hear from the mechanic tomorrow.

22nd March 2021, 12:17	#7
XRayLee Newbie Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Birmingham Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks for the diagram, it's very clear and could save both time and the scratching of heads. I struggle with connectors of most kinds so it's particularly welcome.

22nd March 2021, 19:03	#10
XRayLee Newbie Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Birmingham Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks for this information, I can see the issue with the master cylinder overflowing. I spoke to the mechanic today but he hasn't had the opportunity to work on the car today. I will try and visit tomorrow to check on any progress and talk to him in person about the recommendations. All the best.