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MG MGB Technical - Another clutch problem

I have just replaced the clutch hydraulics again on my 67 B. We were just two days away from leaving for a thousand + mile trip around Lake Michigan.

Two years ago, I noticed the fluid in my clutch system had turned black with "sparkles" in it. I flushed the system and bled the brakes. When done, I had no clutch at all, so I replaced all the hydraulics, one part at a time. I went through everything before it worked again, new master, slave, and hose.

I noticed the same thing last fall, so I called the supplier for tech help. The tech said it sounded like rubber failure and to drive it until it failed.

I replaced everything again and the clutch now works great. I have always used Castrol LMA fluid in the system, but have now switched to DOT 4.

The question is, has anyone else had this problem or am I just "lucky?"

Thanks for your help!

John
John Schroeder

What brand of DOT 4? I use Valvoline SynPower DOT 3/4 and it works fine. I wonder about the quality of your replacement parts, even DOT 3 fluid should work with all replacement parts. Telling you there is a rubber failure and to drive it until it fails isn't a satisfactory answer, those parts should last for years if the fluid is replaced each 2 years. Did the tech offer to pay your tow bill when you have total failure?

Clifton
Clifton Gordon

Better yet, did he offer to pay for your funeral? "Drive it until it fails" is not an unsatisfactory answer. It's a homicidal answer.
Steve S.

I would have asked him if he would pay for a 500 mile tow back home when it fails!
patrick bailey

The only problems I have heard relating to bits in the fluid apart from mechanical breakdown, is when changing to or from Silicone fluid and using the same rubber parts.
Dave
D M Tetlow

Thanks for your replies.

I noticed I said I bled the brakes. I meant the clutch. I switched to NAPA Dot 4. I also believe the problem is the quality of the parts. The slave piston fit very loose and was not cylindrical. It has a bulge in the middle. The slave has a very coarse finish in the bore. I would have thought it should be somewhat polished after two years. I was also told by another person at the same supplier the clutch either "works or it leaks." That was not the case with my system. There was no obvious leakage at the master or the slave. The parts were all original brand or premium quality. I hate to replace parts more than I have to.

John
John Schroeder

See the other thread for a tip on clutch bleeding.
Paul Hunt 2

This thread was discussed between 22/10/2007 and 23/10/2007

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