Clutching at straws

Hi guys

Yesterday at Drumclog, my 1972 Series 3 impressed me well!

Only got stuck twice, and a canvas strap snapped at the back axle (should I worry about that?).

I bought the old dear last Sunday, and she's been fine, a few things I'd like to do, but will need to wait for the bank balance to rise.

Ok, here's my problem, as we were finishing our day, the car struggled to get into first gear, then second, and so on, and by the time I got back to Glasgow, even with my foot pressed hard on the clutch and my foot on the brake, the car still wanted to creep forward.

Any ideas what's up? I've had a look at the Haynes manual and some other thing I bought from ebay, but I'm not sure what model I've got so don't know where to get started.

cheers

clutch might be on it's last legs, bleed it first

Have you checked how much fluid is in it, was there fluid when you started the journey?

If you pump at the clutch does it improve?

Hi

I unscrewed the reservoir top tonight, it's gungey inside and empty, so I filled that up. Pumping the pedal around 3-5 times certainly helped and things returned to normal.

The master cylinder (I hope that's right, it's next to the brake servo) is very corroded, but not by rust.

Should I bleed the system or fit a new cylinder first, then bleed it? Or am I looking at a much more serious problem?

Cheers, for the initial advice, that worked a treat.

K

Hi check out other posts on clutches, I will be doubling up I am sure, check the interior of where the pedal attaches to ( pedal Box ) usually when the Master cylinder leaks it leaks inside the cab and starts to loosen the paint, if not check the slave cylinder for leaks, if fluid is missing its going some where!!

Ladies and Gentlemen!

A new master cylinder has been fitted and 153 miles of driving accomplished today.

However, the clutch started playing silly buggers again, so I bled it again tonight, with the help of a proper kit and a pal!

This started ok, but got gradually worse until the clutch has NO pressure or resistence at all.

No leaks are apparent anywhere, and even with the bottom bleed nipple loosened, and observing the top reservoir with the lid off and a mate pumping, nothing happens. No fluid moving down the system, so I suppose that means no leaks, but nothing is coming out the bleed tube at the bottom.

Does this mean the slave cylinder has been at fault all along, and the new master has finished it off?

Help me!

sounds like it

it's usually a good idea to change the slave when you change the master anyways

with the slave pipe loose (not the bleed nipple) do you see fluid dripping out when you depress the pedal ?

If the level doesn't drop with the bleed open, it could be the rubber hose between the m/cyl & where the pipe clamps to the engine. These can disintegrate internally and so restrict or block the fluid.

Hi

I never thought to do anything with the slave pipe, I've ordered a new slave from Paddock, it's coming tomorrow. I've also ordered a bit of the clutch pipe.

I'll have a good look over the whole thing later on tonight.

If there are any more hints or tips; do let me know!

Cheers

New Slave arrived, and fitted.

It's working a treat.

Many thanks