The 'E' Type Forum

Evening all,

Fired up the car today after 6 months of winter jobs. All fine, needed to turn it around in the workshop to finish off work on other side more easily. Car manoeuvred okay but clutch felt a bit weird.

Investigated and clutch reservoir empty. Was definitely full this week. No evidence of any loss in engine compartment or on workshop floor.

So am I correct that Slave Cylinder seals has failed with fluid going through into bell housing?

Value your feedback as always.

cheers
Ash

Hello Ash,
The standard Slave Cylinder is mounted externally on the Bell Housing. There would be evidence at the actual Slave Cylinder of it leaking. Given its position on the Bell Housing, if the Slave Cylinder was leaking, the the fluid would have to run along the piston rod to the release bearing yoke and then along the yoke, or to the outside of the Bell Housing and then back to the cutout for the yoke to end up inside the Bell housing. In either case, the Bell Housing is a long way from being water tight and therefore, any fluid that made its way into the Bell Housing would eventually end up spread over the bottom of the gearbox and as far to the rear of the car the breeze under the car may take it and onto the ground and the floor of your garage.

The evidence of a leaking Slave Cylinder is visually obvious. Accordingly, if you don't easily find a leak at the Slave Cylinder, I'd be looking elsewhere. The Master Cylinder may be leaking and in this case, apart from the fluid disappearing from the reservoir, may go unnoticed for a period, as it ends up running down the inside of the foot well closing panel and being soaked up by the carpet underlay. This is the most sinister of the leaking options, for gone unchecked, is one cause of rust of the forward section of the floor. Externally, you will see nothing, so you will have to make your inspection from inside the car viewing the Clutch Master Cylinder where it protrudes to the inside of the Pedal Box.

Regards,

Bill

I agree. I had the master cylinder leaking, and it just disappears into the footwell on mat and carpet. Typically, they leak from behind the bracket that secures them.

malcolm wrote: ↑

Sun May 06, 2018 8:42 am

Typically, they leak from behind the bracket that secures them.

The bastards.

Thanks all. Helpful as always.

Will investigate internally. Was spooked that the workshop floor was completely dry and no obvious leak anywhere.

Cheers
Ash

I reckon you'll find soggy carpets ;)

Yes, leaking into the car.

Fortunately I have thick sound deadening which seems to have soaked most of it up so it cleaned up quite easily.

Master Cylinder off tonight...

Cheers

AshM wrote: ↑

Wed May 09, 2018 8:50 am

Yes, leaking into the car.

Fortunately I have thick sound deadening which seems to have soaked most of it up so it cleaned up quite easily.

Master Cylinder off tonight...

Cheers

I'd also rebuild the slave cylinder at this time.

Yep Moe, plan to do that too.

All stripped - awaiting repair kits to arrive.

Cheers

How the hell do you get the slave cylinder off? Seems impossible whilst the engine in situ.

Any thoughts?

cheers

Hi Ash...just awkward if your on your back under the car.....much easier on a lift.....simple jobs are not so simple sometimes..just enjoy it... Steve

mgcjag wrote: ↑

Fri May 11, 2018 4:36 pm

just enjoy it Steve

I must remember that next time I'm struggling to get a simple task done.
No it's not difficult, just long winded so I can enjoy it more

Geoff

Hi Geoff...if its your hobby enjoy it .......jobs are normaly much easier if you look at them as challenges

You need a cranked spanner. I’ve removed mine from under the car, but couldn’t get at the top fixing either with a socket set or a straight spanner.

Ash

When you’re refitting everything fit a spacer over the top stud. This will bring the securing nut out from behind the body of the slave cylinder.
A very cranked ring spanner is required to release the top nut in my experience.
You will more than likely have to reconnect the hydrauliic pipe to both the slave cylinder and the flexible hose above it before refitting. Otherwise the slave cylinder gets in the way.
Remember it’s a Jaguar.

Cheers

Alan

Was lying underneath it this morning just soaking up the enjoyment!

Hi Ash...time to invest in a lift....makes things much easier... Steve