MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Brake Fluid

Does anyone know how much brake fluid there is in a single circuit system?

I have to pump the pedal so just bleeding the front hasn't done the job. While I lay on the floor watching expensive fluid p*ss in the pot, I wonder how much I should run out before I know I have removed every chance that the air could have survived in that pipe.

It is not advisable to reuse I guess, even if everything is clean or is that a bit like not reusing a bearing if it has come apart?
G Williams (Graeme)


Graeme. I got though about 1.5ltrs before realising the brake MC was at fault.

You could catch the new fluid but don't re-use staight away as apparently tiny unseen bubbles can remain in it overnight. Let it breath like a good wine.

Am not sure of total capacity though..
Gavin Rowles

Gavin: a good wine is cheaper!
G Williams (Graeme)

Not much Graeme. With easibleed I filled my system from scratch and I am sure I used less than one bottle. It was 500 ml I think. And as I am a bit of a skin flint I was pleasantly surprised how well easiblead worked (woth the money) although I have had to mod my MC cap to cope with it. (wrong sized easiblead adapter caps in kit).
Dave Squire (1500)

"It is not advisable to reuse I guess, even if everything is clean or is that a bit like not reusing a bearing if it has come apart?"

Nope not advisable, because it's hygroscopic. So unless you can leave it in a compelety arid environment to "dry out", -- no chance in this weather, -- you should bin it. Water in the fluid not only softens the pedal when it boils, it rusts the pistons and bores.
Lawrence Slater

Don't think hygroscopic is a convincing argument on the basis that's its in there now; I bleed it off and put it back. How has that changed circumstances? It doesn't suck up water like blotting paper!

DAve: I use Easibleed too
G Williams (Graeme)

Actually, as I understand it from reading the tech specs on this stuff, it can absorb water from damp air quicker than you can get laid with 500 quid. lol.

That said, I've poured it back in before now too, if it's clean and only just come out. I was just being "correct" for a change. lol.
Lawrence Slater

the point of flush is to flush out all the tiny crap if you think you've done that fine but whilst wine may be cheaper you don't rely on it for good braking

if the breaking it's at best it will put strain on the front wheel and steering components causing hub bearing stress :)n
Nigel Atkins

"but whilst wine may be cheaper you don't rely on it for good braking"

I find I can always rely on cheap wine to brake something. :).
Lawrence Slater

There's some treble grandma on 'ere
b higginson

I always liked my idea of being able to get brake fluid in different colours, then you could flush through until the new colour appears, and know that it was all fresh, air and water free.
Guy Weller

you could use denatured alchol 1st to wash it out then add in your new fluid

ive thought about using denatured alchol as a give it a try...ive read it really cleans out the crap ola ...but ive never done it

you can get denatured alchol at any professional house paint store...(in the usa)

prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

"you could use denatured alchol"

Isn't that what my dentist uses for a mouth rinse? booom boom. :).
Lawrence Slater

Denatured alcohol is not "good wine". If you start with say a Chablis in the system then changing to an Orvietto for example would be detectable and you would know you have flushed it all through (picking up Guy's point).
Don't use sparkling wine or Champagne. These are known to make the pedal spongy.
To be correct to the vehicle's vintage of course, Red Barrel would be the appropriate fluid. This is know to attack the seals and copper components.
G Williams (Graeme)

Watney was that you said?
Lawrence Slater

"Red Barrel would be the appropriate fluid. This is know to attack the seals"
Yep, that's what I found after 8 or 10 pints. The seals just went.
Guy Weller

This thread was discussed on 26/03/2013

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS now