If a leak what should I expect to find
 

if either my clutch master or slave is leaking what should I expect to find in the reservoir? Nothing?

mine seems quite full. How full should the master be?

Could either the slave or master be allowing fluid past the seal when the pedal is pushed, so the fluid then sits behind the piston? Would this fail to show as a leak?
The piston then retracts when the pedal is released and fluid then gets back in front of piston.

what could be an intermittent reason for clutch pedal not returning once released?

macafee2

Ian, that sounds like the make up valve in the master cylinder piston is partially blocked to me ;)

Remove the piston from the master cylinder, the body can be left bolted into the car, remove the white plastic cap from the end of the piston, retrieve the spring and poppet valve, and wash everything out with brake cleaner, making sure the hole in the reduced diameter part of the piston is clear.

Reassemble after cleaning the bore of the cylinder, and the reservoir with brake cleaner and clean paper towel.

After bleeding, normal service should return ;)

Brian :D

Brian I so hope you are right.

I have sucked the fluid out of the master and it is quite milky, not as expected. Some dirt has also come out which I am surprised about


I thought it was a circlip holing the piston in but it is similar to a circlip.
It slots in from the side of the master and as I was treating it as a proper circlip, I broke a leg, not mine of course. It is hanging on and I will glue it to see if that holds.
I'll clean it all and re fit. I need to move the car as it is now blocking my caravan in


macafee2