Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[hunsta]

Ok quick one here. Does anyone know the amount of brake fluid that goes into the whole brake lines and cylinders?
Cheers
Craig
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I really am a nice guy. Just ask anyone that hasn't met me.

[ukdave2002]

500ml will fill a system with a little spare.

Dave

[hunsta]

[TribalElder]

On the subject of brake fluid, I'd recommend Dot 3 for older cars. Dot 4 is slightly higher in water absorbtion rate (3-4%). Dot 5, the Modern Silicon version is not recommended because it can make the rubbers swell. It is also a pain in the bum to bleed.

HOW CAN I TELL WHICH BRAKE FLUID I HAVE?

All classic cars originally came with glycol based fluid. An easy test for fluid type is to put a few drops in a styrofoam coffee cup. Glycol dissolves the cup, but silicone does not.

Ian Kiernan
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Ian from Oz

It's hard to run like an Emu
When you are girt by Numbats

[hunsta]

[ukdave2002]

I know people who use do5 (silicon) in Morris 8's without problem, but only after a system rebuild (new seals all round).

Dot 3 is getting quite rare (in the UK) I just use dot 4 and change it every couple of years.

Dave

[hunsta]

OK. After tackling the steering, Ive now as your aware have come to the brakes. I was told from the previous owner that all that was needed for the brakes was for them to be bled. So having now attempted to bleed the old fluid out of the system I find that Im not getting anything to pump out. The peddle seems to move freely, but Im not getting anything. The reservoir is full.
Do you think the Master cylinder is kapot? Or in need of a kit. There doesnt seem to be anything leaking from the joints.
Whats my best options here? Anyone got any tips?
Cheers
Craig
PS what were they thinking with that screw on cap on the MC. Diabolical thing.
PPS if a MC kit is not available for the seires E is there another kit that may fit it? Or is there a MC off another model that will work with little buggerizing around?

Ok to add further to this. Ive taken the MC off and found it was quite seized. Ive got a couple of inquiries in about repair kits, but have one question.
As I was carefully (and I mean I was conscious of what might happen) undoing the cylinder head off the back of the MC, what might happen did. Just as I took off the cylinder head I was just about to cover the end just incase it all when springing off into the wild blue yonder, and of course it did. DOH! I retrieved everything except the "valve cup". As pictured below.
Can anyone tell me if the kit will come with one of these or am I to be looking to source this part. And if the answer is "No your up the creek without a paddle) then anyone got one lying around from an old MC. Once again happy to pay any postage.


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I really am a nice guy. Just ask anyone that hasn't met me.

[ukdave2002]

Hi Craig

The valve cup is normally part of the kit, its also a very common part fitted to many other vehicles, my MGA has the same one. If its not fitted it wont actually stop the brakes from working, (its possible your cylinder had its valve cup omitted?) its function is to maintain a slight pressure in the system even after the pedal is released, there have been problems with some of these valve cups in recent times; they have held too much pressure causing the brakes to bind, folk have got round this by putting a small hole in the valve cup.

A bit more info can be found here; http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/brakes/bt101a.htm

Cheers


Dave

[hunsta]

Thanks Dave. Ive just 5 mins ago purchased a full brake rubbers kit from the UK. Master cylinder and wheel cylinder rubbers. And yes the valve cup was in the kit.
Interesting reading about the method of releasing pressure. Not quite sure if my gorrilla hands want to go poking holes in tiny rubber bits, but if I have problems with binding brakes after I know where to start looking.
Thanks once agian and till the next little can of worms I open in this car.
Craig
_________________
I really am a nice guy. Just ask anyone that hasn't met me.