Houston I have a problem.....

Rp61973 · 17th July 2014, 20:29

I purchased my CDTi Classic (61,000 miles) three weeks ago this weekend. I have been driving the car to and from work (30 miles total a day) and this week I have noted the bite on the clutch pedal getting progressively lower and some baulking when selecting first gear.

Before my journey home tonight I reasoned that I would try and bleed the master cylinder to see if it was a simple case of air in the system/and or old fluid.

By the time I arrived home tonight, I could just about select any gear with considerable difficulty. I have noticed some oily wetness behind the small, top fixing cover that holds the footrest on, but I couldn't see any obvious wetness from the master cylinder itself (admittedly not easy to see).

I am most disappointed to have been let down so early into my foray into 75 ownership, especially when the car hasn't covered interstellar mileage, but realistically am I looking at a slave and master cyl or possibly just a master cylinder, or is this fanciful thinking? Clutch felt and drove fine up to this week. I don't believe there is any fluid leak between block and box but I'll need to check for sure.

Car is now sitting on the drive - neither use nor ornament. Bah,

planenut · 17th July 2014, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rp61973

I purchased my CDTi Classic (61,000 miles) three weeks ago this weekend. I have been driving the car to and from work (30 miles total a day) and this week I have noted the bite on the clutch pedal getting progressively lower and some baulking when selecting first gear.

Before my journey home tonight I reasoned that I would try and bleed the master cylinder to see if it was a simple case of air in the system/and or old fluid.

By the time I arrived home tonight, I could just about select any gear with considerable difficulty. I have noticed some oily wetness behind the small, top fixing cover that holds the footrest on, but I couldn't see any obvious wetness from the master cylinder itself (admittedly not easy to see).

I am most disappointed to have been let down so early into my foray into 75 ownership, especially when the car hasn't covered interstellar mileage, but realistically am I looking at a slave and master cyl or possibly just a master cylinder, or is this fanciful thinking? Clutch felt and drove fine up to this week. I don't believe there is any fluid leak between block and box but I'll need to check for sure.

Car is now sitting on the drive - neither use nor ornament. Bah,

Go ahead and bleed it, then see how things are. Good luck.

DMGRS · 17th July 2014, 20:45

I'd bleed it - I got a lot of life out of mine before it finally gave up. I wish I could say the same of it's plastic replacements!
Thankfully there's a metal Master cylinder to ease the problem:
Metal Master Cylinder

They're 'fit for life', and have replaceable seals should the worst happen.

Rp61973 · 17th July 2014, 20:51

I would bleed it but figured that because clutch pedal quality degenerated so quickly, is it likely to do any good?

I will be guided by you guys.

Thanks. Paul

mickjjuk · 17th July 2014, 21:07

Hi, let’s hope it’s the master it’s easier to sort out than the slave. I used an easy bleed kit, it the same top as the brake master cylinder. The fluid will be black that you get out if it has not been changed. If bleeding sorts it out long term I would consider changing it .if the slave has gone there will be fluid leaking from the drain holes in bottom of bell housing.

DMGRS · 17th July 2014, 21:09

It did for me - I got another 3 months by bleeding. It needed a bleed every few weeks, and the interval gradually got shorter as it worsened.
Yours will have degenerated quickly because it pulled in air - with the air expelled and it bled, it'll feel nice again.

Unfortunately the clutch systems are weak on the 75/ZT, it's a shame. At least these days we can combat it, whereas when I first delved into ownership there were no 'fixes' rather than counting down to it failing again.

Rp61973 · 17th July 2014, 21:46

Thanks guys. I'll give bleeding the plastic fantastic a go this weekend, but once I am paid at the end of the month I will invest in a Tazu upgrade.

DMGRS · 17th July 2014, 22:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rp61973

Thanks guys. I'll give bleeding the plastic fantastic a go this weekend, but once I am paid at the end of the month I will invest in a Tazu upgrade.

Good stuff - I'll have my stock by then.

Kenton · 17th July 2014, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rp61973

I purchased my CDTi Classic (61,000 miles) three weeks ago this weekend. I have been driving the car to and from work (30 miles total a day) and this week I have noted the bite on the clutch pedal getting progressively lower and some baulking when selecting first gear.

Before my journey home tonight I reasoned that I would try and bleed the master cylinder to see if it was a simple case of air in the system/and or old fluid.

By the time I arrived home tonight, I could just about select any gear with considerable difficulty. I have noticed some oily wetness behind the small, top fixing cover that holds the footrest on, but I couldn't see any obvious wetness from the master cylinder itself (admittedly not easy to see).

I am most disappointed to have been let down so early into my foray into 75 ownership, especially when the car hasn't covered interstellar mileage, but realistically am I looking at a slave and master cyl or possibly just a master cylinder, or is this fanciful thinking? Clutch felt and drove fine up to this week. I don't believe there is any fluid leak between block and box but I'll need to check for sure.

Car is now sitting on the drive - neither use nor ornament. Bah,

Strange.... but if you rub the carpet around the foot rest with your fingers and gave a quick wiff, you will know if the cylinder is leaking. I recently bleed a clutch and it took me about about an hour to keep pumping, using the easy bleed system, and about 2 litres of fluid, before I was happy. customer is totally satisfied, with the 'new' clutch, and I was gob smacked as to how much c*ap came out. good luck

Rp61973 · 17th July 2014, 23:03

I have taken a good shufty up in the pedal box tonight using a torch. I can't see any leakage from the cylinder. I don't know from where the footrest fixing cover has accumulated its pool of liquid.

I also can't see any evidence of slave cylinder leakage underneath. There is a 'dirty patch' on the underside of the plastic engine undertray, on the nearside, but this certainly doesn't look wet or fresh.

All I can do is bleed the cylinder with plenty of fresh fluid and keep my fingers crossed. Reservoir pot is a bitch to get the lid off - already tried that one. I reckon I will need to remove the dash trim under the steering wheel.

17th July 2014, 20:29	#1
Rp61973 Loves to post Rover 75 CDTI Classic Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Galleywood Posts: 374 Thanks: 80 Thanked 67 Times in 45 Posts	Houston I have a problem..... I purchased my CDTi Classic (61,000 miles) three weeks ago this weekend. I have been driving the car to and from work (30 miles total a day) and this week I have noted the bite on the clutch pedal getting progressively lower and some baulking when selecting first gear. Before my journey home tonight I reasoned that I would try and bleed the master cylinder to see if it was a simple case of air in the system/and or old fluid. By the time I arrived home tonight, I could just about select any gear with considerable difficulty. I have noticed some oily wetness behind the small, top fixing cover that holds the footrest on, but I couldn't see any obvious wetness from the master cylinder itself (admittedly not easy to see). I am most disappointed to have been let down so early into my foray into 75 ownership, especially when the car hasn't covered interstellar mileage, but realistically am I looking at a slave and master cyl or possibly just a master cylinder, or is this fanciful thinking? Clutch felt and drove fine up to this week. I don't believe there is any fluid leak between block and box but I'll need to check for sure. Car is now sitting on the drive - neither use nor ornament. Bah,

17th July 2014, 20:45	#3
DMGRS Discount MG Rover Spares Rover 75 CDTi, 2x MG ZS180 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hythe, Southampton Posts: 11,320 Thanks: 456 Thanked 3,377 Times in 2,027 Posts	I'd bleed it - I got a lot of life out of mine before it finally gave up. I wish I could say the same of it's plastic replacements! Thankfully there's a metal Master cylinder to ease the problem: Metal Master Cylinder They're 'fit for life', and have replaceable seals should the worst happen. __________________ Your trusted MG Rover specialist! Tel: 02380 001133 / Email: [email protected] We now have a 'chat' function on our site for even quicker replies. Give it a try! Remember - discount code FORUM5 for 5% off

17th July 2014, 21:09	#6
DMGRS Discount MG Rover Spares Rover 75 CDTi, 2x MG ZS180 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hythe, Southampton Posts: 11,320 Thanks: 456 Thanked 3,377 Times in 2,027 Posts	It did for me - I got another 3 months by bleeding. It needed a bleed every few weeks, and the interval gradually got shorter as it worsened. Yours will have degenerated quickly because it pulled in air - with the air expelled and it bled, it'll feel nice again. Unfortunately the clutch systems are weak on the 75/ZT, it's a shame. At least these days we can combat it, whereas when I first delved into ownership there were no 'fixes' rather than counting down to it failing again. __________________ Your trusted MG Rover specialist! Tel: 02380 001133 / Email: [email protected] We now have a 'chat' function on our site for even quicker replies. Give it a try! Remember - discount code FORUM5 for 5% off

17th July 2014, 20:51	#4
Rp61973 Loves to post Rover 75 CDTI Classic Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Galleywood Posts: 374 Thanks: 80 Thanked 67 Times in 45 Posts	I would bleed it but figured that because clutch pedal quality degenerated so quickly, is it likely to do any good? I will be guided by you guys. Thanks. Paul

17th July 2014, 21:07	#5
mickjjuk Avid contributor rover 75 cdt Tourer Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: woodhall spa Posts: 111 Thanks: 34 Thanked 17 Times in 17 Posts	Hi, let’s hope it’s the master it’s easier to sort out than the slave. I used an easy bleed kit, it the same top as the brake master cylinder. The fluid will be black that you get out if it has not been changed. If bleeding sorts it out long term I would consider changing it .if the slave has gone there will be fluid leaking from the drain holes in bottom of bell housing.

17th July 2014, 21:46	#7
Rp61973 Loves to post Rover 75 CDTI Classic Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Galleywood Posts: 374 Thanks: 80 Thanked 67 Times in 45 Posts	Thanks guys. I'll give bleeding the plastic fantastic a go this weekend, but once I am paid at the end of the month I will invest in a Tazu upgrade.

17th July 2014, 23:03	#10
Rp61973 Loves to post Rover 75 CDTI Classic Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Galleywood Posts: 374 Thanks: 80 Thanked 67 Times in 45 Posts	I have taken a good shufty up in the pedal box tonight using a torch. I can't see any leakage from the cylinder. I don't know from where the footrest fixing cover has accumulated its pool of liquid. I also can't see any evidence of slave cylinder leakage underneath. There is a 'dirty patch' on the underside of the plastic engine undertray, on the nearside, but this certainly doesn't look wet or fresh. All I can do is bleed the cylinder with plenty of fresh fluid and keep my fingers crossed. Reservoir pot is a bitch to get the lid off - already tried that one. I reckon I will need to remove the dash trim under the steering wheel.