clutch bleed issue

[waltmgb]

I bought the clutch kit from Moss and replaced the master and slave. Fluid is being fed to the slave but seems to be an air leak as much air keeps coming out of the slave along with the fluid. Checked connectors and all seem tight, no apparent leaks. Pedal to floor, open bleeder, fluid comes out, close bleeder, pedal up. Repeated numerous times. Also pushed slave piston in, open/close valve, bleed as above. Still more air and no clutch action. Ideas?

[Ian F]

A difficult one!
Make sure you aren't opening the bleed screw too far, use red brake grease on the bleeder threads, and use a long tube from the bleed nipple down into a jar with brake fluid in it. These things should stop air being drawn back in via the bleeder.
If all connections are tight, and the hose is good (new?), Then the Master Cylinder must be drawing air?
Did you buy the best quality OEM, if not, then suspect a manufacturing or assembly fault.

Ian F

[Vic Butler]

Clutch hydraulics can be notoriously difficult to bleed. Try using a vacuum bleed system, much safer than a pressure bleeding system.
Otherwise as Ian suggested it could be a faulty master or slave cylinder.

[waltmgb]

Thank you for the ideas. Master, slave, and hose all included with the kit. All were replaced in the car. Master cylinder is a real bugger to change. Original issue was slave leaking so maybe I'll swap the master back and see what happens. One other thing, the kit came with three copper washers, 2 of which fit on either side of the banjo bolt. I could not find any spot that the 3rd one fit. Any experience with that or should I call Moss and ask them?

[Ian F]

Have a look at the exploded diagram in the Moss parts catalogue for the washers, otherwise call Moss. Sorry I can't remember more about them!

Ian F

[Charles Farran]

Make sure the bleed screw is in the correct hole of the slave cylinder, i am aware that it may be in the incorrect hole to ensure the cylinder fits in the packaging it is supplied in. (Mine was & only realised when trying to bleed the system with a neighbour who spotted it)!
Cheers
Charles

[Not_Anumber]

I had quite a job bleeding the original Lockheed clutch MC and after some research I decided to bin it rather than rebuild and got hold of a Girling type MC for an MGC & big Triumphs.

Bad points,
it took 10 mins with a Dremel to make it fit the pedal box, not a problem as I knew it would be required.
Filling the reservoir needs a small funnel as it sits slightly further back. This does reduce the chances of spillage though.

Good points:
Cheaper
Easy to bleed, right first time
Tougher part, made for heavy duty use.

[waltmgb]

Thanks again for all the replies and suggestions. I did transfer the bleed screw as it was in the wrong spot. Swapped the original master back in and all is well now. So the new master was feeding air into the system. Manufacturer defect I'm assuming. Although the thought of changing to a heavier duty and easier to bleed system sounds intriguing I think I'll stay with the current setup for now since all is working. (and return the faulty master to Moss)