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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

Hey guys,
I just noticed a puddle of brake fluid upon my return today.
It is not coming from the brake fluid reservoir, or the front brake. It is of centre, towards the drivers side, roughly inline with the rear of the wishbone.
Anyone got any ideas, it just seems a weird place?

Thanks
Alan.
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lee16v · Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 2:48 pm Post subject:

Clutch slave leaking? Dripping on gearbox and then exiting where you say?

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

ahhhh, thanks, heres hoping.
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Oggie · Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 5:34 pm Post subject:

hopefully someone elses car al, not the alfa!
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paulhide · Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 5:47 pm Post subject:

That would be passenger side.
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

paulhide · Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:01 pm Post subject:

Well there are only a few places it could be leaking from. From the reservoir to the pipes, there's only so much to check.
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

thats what i thought,
there are no leaks around the res, as i said Smile

, there are no leaks by the clutch slave cylinder, its got me stumped, until i can get under the car.
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paulhide · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:38 am Post subject:

Isn't there a brake pipe union somewhere near where you're talking about?
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john 33_16v · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:04 am Post subject:

Hi,

Clutch master cylinder?

The one on my dad's minari failed recently- didn't leak though

John
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

john 33_16v · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:54 pm Post subject:

[quote="BigAl] Is that combined with the brake master cylinder?[/quote]

Nope, it's separate.

Fed from same resovoir though.

John
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93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

I dont know what I'm looking for, waaaaaaaaa.I didn't get a chance to investigate further as i was testing the fuel pressure regulator
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33bits · Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:24 pm Post subject:

How do all these faults find your car Al? you must be a magnet to them. If it is the clutch master then its not the easiest item to change, then again some clutch slaves can give a bit of trouble too. Have you noticed any spongy feeling in the pedal Al? or a diff feel to the clutch pedal?
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

I guess I'm lucky,,,, not!!
No and no, I am running out of brake fluid fast though..... Might have to go to HellFrauds to get some more.
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

I have let the break fluid drain and left it untouched. It stops just below the clutch slave cylinder feed pipe and has not gone any further. The break pedal is still firm, so you guys must be right in saying that it is the clutch master cylinder.
What now, what is involded in replacing one of these?
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

bobbber said that than has just added this
http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/clutchmaster/index.html
to the restoration pages.
OMG, i am not restoring, just replacing, can i just remove the clutch master cylinder without removing everything else?
Where and how has my break fluid gone to get to the underneath of the car?
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Guest · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:15 pm Post subject:

Hi,

most of the time the culprit is the clutch slave cylinder. Follow the pipe from the master cylinder, you'll find the slave. At the end of the slave cylinder there's a rubber gaiter. Press the gaiter between your fingers, if it's wet then you've found the problem.
Master and slave cylinders can be replaced without too much trouble.
Master cylinder : prevent the bolts from turning at the cylinder side and slacken the nuts from the footwell compartment. Disconnect hydraulic pipe at the master cylinder. Disconnect linkage from pedal and it's done.
Slave cylinder : gain acces to the cylinder by removing whatever rubber hoses are in the vincinity. Disconnect hydraulic pipe at the master cylinder. Remove circlip (not easy - good circlips pliers required). Remove cylinder, sometimes stuck in the block, use WD40 and pry it out. Grease mating surfaces when installing new one to prevent it from seizing in the block.
You'll need to bleed the system at the end.

regards,
zp

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

Thanks ZP, i have done a slave cylinder before and agree the circlip is fun, once one of these came loose and the slave cylinder popped out.
I have checked the slave cylinder already, the fluid leak comes from the drivers footwell area RHD
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

I had to move the car yesterday and blead the clutch, by myself, had to remove the plenum chamber to do it, what a PITA. I am guesing that this has never been done before as it was black and after several pumps of the clutch pedal, still came out black. How many pedal pumps should it take to clear through, i did about 9 and stopped, should it clear and should i keep going till it clears?

I should be able to investigate further now. Does anyone have a spare Clutch master cylinder if it turns out to be the culprit?
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john 33_16v · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 2:30 pm Post subject:

Hi Al'

I'd bleed till clear and no bubbles. If the master is working properly it shouldn't take many pumps to work through.

My dad got a master cylinder from alfashop about 2 months back.

John
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If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

Does anyone know if the clutch master cylinder can be overhauled/repaired/serviced, with a kit or something?
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john 33_16v · Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 3:41 pm Post subject:

There was a new one on ebay recently- might still be there- quite cheap.

I think it's a bit of a slag to replace, so i personally wouldn't want to risk overhaul.

John
_________________
If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

eagle3 · Alfa 33 Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 402 Location: France

I don't think they're too difficult to find. Available here for 60-80 euros new.

If you get a new one at least the car won't be out of action for an indefinite period.
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

I am now loosing the content in the reservoir from full line to bottom of clutch master feed in 2 days.
There is no leakage from the inside where the clutch master cylinder connects to the clutch pedal in the foot well. There is no leakage from underneath the master cylinder in the bulk head.
Whilst in 1st gear with the engine running and the clutch in the car started to creep and I had to take it out of gear. When I went to pull away the biting point was just off the floor, I nearly stalled lol, this went back to normal after a while but I was not going to risk it again and keep the clutch pedal in for longer than I need.
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