Problem bleeding brakes!

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Ian Bell - 30 Nov 2003 20:41 GMT

Hi Group,

I am in the process of re-building my 1983 Mini City E which has been
standing for the best part of 5 years. Recently I overhauled the brakes
replacing the shoes etc. as well as one wheel cylinder that had been
weeping.

My problem now is that I have air in the system that try as I might I cannot
remove. Even a Gunsons pressurized one man bleeding kit I cannot achieve
firm pedal pressure on first pump. Incidentally, on opening front bleed
nipples I am unable to get fluid to flow unless pedal is pumped
simultaneously. A friend has mentioned the possibility of a problem with the
master cylinder, but has anyone else had the same problem or have any ideas.

Sorry for the long post but any assistance would be greatly appreciated, as
I'm trying to get the car sorted and on the road so I can take my disabled
boy and his brother to Mini 45 next year.

Ian.

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Minimad03 - 30 Nov 2003 21:04 GMT

hi ian
try getting a friend to help bleed the system by pumping the peddle and then
with the peddle held firmly down open the farest bleed nipple away from the
master cylinder and then work your way round coming to the neatest to the
master cylinder last.
however it is allways possible it is a problem with the master cylinder.
hope this helps
luke

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ops - 01 Dec 2003 11:08 GMT

> Hi Group,
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Ian.

I would say you have more problems that what you suggest and you should
look further into your system.

Brakes which have stood for five years you should dismantle and overhaul
all the wheel cylinders and master cylinder. As brake fluid absorbs
moisture hence will rust the internals and seize the cylinders etc.

Even after 5 years most braking systems need a complete overhaul if they
have not failed previously.

rm

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Fitzy - 01 Dec 2003 13:19 GMT

> Hi Group,
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Ian.

Try clamping 3 brake flex pipes off and bleed one at a time in this way,
this gives 100% effort to the cylinder,
Fitzy

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Steve - 01 Dec 2003 18:03 GMT

> > Hi Group,
> >
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> this gives 100% effort to the cylinder,
> Fitzy

The chances are you have the 'black tag' master cylinder. These had a design
fault and were quickly replaced by the 'yellow tag' type. The earlier one is
the type with the black plastic device screwed in the side for the failure
warning. The later item had different sized pipe nuts top and bottom and
wires to the cap.
The success rate of bleeding the earlier cylinder is not good after it has
been dry. Try taking it apart, filling it with fluid and plugging all the
ports. Then quickly put it back on the car and bleed it straight away using
the pressure bleeder and pumping the pedal. This sometimes works.

Signature

Rgds
Steve
steve@dsnclassics.co.uk
www.dsnclassics.co.uk

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Ian Bell - 01 Dec 2003 20:06 GMT

Thanks everyone for your replies. The master cylinder is in fact the black
tag type so I'll try Steve's suggestion. I'll let you all know how I get on.

Ian.

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