confirmation of leaking clutch master

[biker1981]

Ive had a brake fluid leak under the pedals... I pulled the clocks out and check the brake switch... bone dry and so is the brake master cylinder so I guess its the clutch master which is what I suspected... although not effected the clutch performance.

I have watched a you tube vide how to do it... seems straight forward and I get I need to loosen the fluid pipe and bleed the cylinder at the cylinder. Do I need to bleed to anywhere else?

any help/advice appreciated

[kevtherev]

the clutch will self bleed once the slave cyl nipple is opened

[biker1981]

so is the slave cylinder under the van? does it just have a nipple on it

[kevtherev]

yes under the van, but more accessible from the engine bay.

[pirate-pete]

Before you start make sure you will be able to bleed from the slave.

Removed my master cyl last year when replacing servo. That bit simple enough but when I came to refit and bleed I found someone had snapped off the nipple. No way the remnant was going to budge either. On top of that the tube fitting to the sleeve was totally seized into a rusty lump so needed to replace slave and the last section of rigid pipe - the bit about a foot long that goes between the flexi and the slave. So best check first so you can get any extra parts you might need to do job in one go.

[kevtherev]

Before you start make sure you will be able to bleed from the slave.

Removed my master cyl last year when replacing servo. That bit simple enough but when I came to refit and bleed I found someone had snapped off the nipple. No way the remnant was going to budge either. On top of that the tube fitting to the sleeve was totally seized into a rusty lump so needed to replace slave and the last section of rigid pipe - the bit about a foot long that goes between the flexi and the slave. So best check first so you can get any extra parts you might need to do job in one go.

Good point there

[biker1981]

Thanks guys

So just to check I can see the master cylinder innthenengine bay....or do I have to remove anything to see ???

[pirate-pete]

On mind you can see it well but I just know my diesel not familiar enough with other layouts to know if anything blocks the view.

Is at back left hand side of engine bay just to the left top side of the gearbox. Probably about level with the back of the engine hatch cover. There is a bracket there and the slave cylinder bolted upright to that with the nipple to the top.

[MidLifeCrisis]

Thanks guys

So just to check I can see the master cylinder innthenengine bay....or do I have to remove anything to see ???

Assume you mean the 'slave' cylinder? It's much easier to see from under the vehicle - crawl under forward of the rear wheel and you can see it much better.

But just to be clear here - are you sure that the clutch master is leaking? I'm surprised that you have not had any clutch selection problems with a leaking master? Is the fluid level low in the reservoir behind the gauges? Are you sure the leaked fluid is not something else???

[pirate-pete]

Sorry about the bad shakes I had when I took this picture but here is where it is on my van - I tried to draw a bit of a circle round it.

[Oldiebut goodie]

I think the petrol guys have it underneath more whereas us diesel guys like it on top. I never understood why some people said that you get at it from underneath as mine is at the top.
OP needs to put what engine he is talking about methinks.

[kevtherev]

easier from the top for the nipple
you can see it here middle top left under the corrugated conduit with the blue wire on...if it's petrol that is

[AdrianC]

Before you start make sure you will be able to bleed from the slave.

Removed my master cyl last year when replacing servo. That bit simple enough but when I came to refit and bleed I found someone had snapped off the nipple. No way the remnant was going to budge either.

Worth reminding, p'raps, that the brake fluid should be changed every two years... Not doing so is the main reason why master, wheel, slave cylinders and calipers die. Change it regularly, and the bleed nipples won't be seized.

[biker1981]

sorry for the delay and thanks for the help.

When I got the van I noticed the brake fluid a biot low so I topped it u and then it leaked.... never goes fully down which makes me thinks its the clutch cylinder at the front. there is oil and its at the back of the pedals...... is there anything else it could be guys?

any good quality master cylinders ? are the ebay ones anygoo?

[AdrianC]

When I got the van I noticed the brake fluid a biot low so I topped it u and then it leaked.... never goes fully down which makes me thinks its the clutch cylinder at the front.

Definitely clutch - the take-off from the reservoir's higher than the brakes.

any good quality master cylinders ? are the ebay ones anygoo?

Brickwerks.