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MG MGF Technical - Hydragas Pump - I've made one!

Hi.

Finally I got tired of going to dealers to pump-up the suspension... I've made my own pump.

It's an old hand pump to open Aircraft's engine cowls. I've machined (well... not me really) an adaptor to fit on the hydragas nipples and throughout cleaned the pump and flushed the circuit, till it was free from any oil.

I just had to imerse one end to the bottle and to screw the other end to the hydragas system. At the beginning it was difficult to move the lever (first 2 strokes), but then I heard a noise/click and it suddendly became easy to operate. Car was raised very easily.

I went for a short ride and measured the suspension again. Had to slightly drain it, because it went up during the short trip! Doing so I became alarmed since the left hand side fluid was clean and perfect, while the right hand side was dirty and with particles. Something is corroded internally? Not good...

Car is now sitting at 358mm, that is 1cm less than the "official figure". But it's a good compromise between confort and looks.

The fluid I made (and used) was the Rover Hydrolastic glycol mixed with radiator coolant. Proportions:
0.25lts to 6.6 lts.



Valter.
Valter

Well done Valter. Please attach a pic of your pump. Perhaps Dieter may be interested for his pump site.
Rob Brown

Nice one Valter! I suspect that you're going to get plenty of use out of your invention. :o)

How corrosion tolerant is the pump - in view of Dieter's experience with his pump?
Rob Bell

Rob,

Externally the pump is made of alluminium and it operated with "skydrol". Skydrol is the aircraft's hydraulic fluid and is a kind of car brake fluid. Except: it is highly corrosive, if you spill over a painted surface it will damage the paint heavily, worse than cars brake fluid! It's even very bad for your skin.
So despite the fact that's an old pump, I suspect that it will last...

Cheers,

Valter.
Valter

:o) Now that's the kind of Hydragas pump that I want Valter! LOL
Rob Bell

Very nice Valter.....
Do you accept VISA/Mastercard/AE ;o)
Erik

I think this will last a couple of years without corrosion.
Well done.

BTW, after having finished moving house, I'll sell off the *original* nipple adapter.
Watch this space.
(Did 21 sqm floor tiles to the new garage today, .. luvely works ... ;))

Valter, a picture for the pump gallery ... please :)))

Email: dkoen at gmx dot de

Cheers
Dieter
Dieter K.

Dieter: You've got mail.
Valter

Got it, thank you !!

Put them up on site to the other.
http://www.mgfcar.de/pump
http://www.mgfcar.de/pump/valter_124_2477.JPG
http://www.mgfcar.de/pump/valter_124_2481.JPG
http://www.mgfcar.de/pump/valter_124_2482.JPG

Valter, I'd suggest to drain the side with rust particles complete. Then pump back the fluid.
Notice on no air bubbles must get into the system. I think the easiest with your adaptor is to let it loose bolted to the MGF adaptor at first.
Do pump strokes and see fluid and included air bubbles drain at the loose adaptor. Tighten the adaptor when you're sure there's no more air in the pump hose.

Cheers
Dieter
Dieter K.

Dieter,

The dirt on the fluid is one of those things that you which you hadn't seen... I'll follow your advise.

Valter.
Valter

This thread was discussed between 29/11/2004 and 03/12/2004

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