UNUSUAL CLUTCH FAILURE ON 4200 GT ............. SOLID BRAKE FLUID!

2b1ask1

2b1ask1

Special case
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Geo said:
Important word "should".
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Echo that when you find the original air filter in a 10 year old car it sickens me to the core garages take your money and claim to do work... MD's seem to be the worst.

This alone is why I do all my own servicing, so I know it is done!
 
mjheathcote

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
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Actually bought a sealey pressure brake/clutch bleeder a couple of months ago as was on an Amazon special.
Going to buy some cheap regular brake fluid, and give the whole system a good flush through plenty of volume, then flush that through with some good stuff to finish off.
Job for this hibernation.
Like said, sometimes you can only trust yourself and I don't believe many when they change the brake fluid go to the trouble of 'wasteing' a good few litres first.
 
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masertel

masertel

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2b1ask1 said:
Echo that when you find the original air filter in a 10 year old car it sickens me to the core garages take your money and claim to do work... MD's seem to be the worst.

This alone is why I do all my own servicing, so I know it is done!
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more Newton- check out the air filter pic's attached that I pulled out of my car after I purchased it from a Maserati Dealer in 2011.

The car is a 2005 face lift 4200 GT and had 16000 miles on it when I got it in June 2011- the dealer assured me it had a full service before I took delivery!!!! Needless to say I wasn't a happy bunny- anyway fitted a BMC filter and along with many other upgrades the car has now covered 74000 mostly very pleasurable miles. Don't think I'll ever sell it as still puts a big smile on my face every time I drive (pilot) it!!

If they can't be bothered to change the air filter (which admittedly is a pain in the **** to do) what's the chances of them flushing and bleeding fresh fluid through the clutch?

If you want a job done I agree with you sentiments- DIY
 

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Corranga

Corranga

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mjheathcote said:
Actually bought a sealey pressure brake/clutch bleeder a couple of months ago as was on an Amazon special.
Click to expand...

I made a manual pressure bleeder that I used on the Lotus for both brake fluid refresh and coolant refresh using one of those garden fence spray bottles and a screw on tyre valve to allow pressure measuring...
 
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Corranga

Corranga

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masertel said:
Well spotted Matt.
On further investigation I noticed the clutch pedal was not returning back fully by only 1 or 2mm. Hey presto after manually pulling the clutch pedal back the system started to bleed fluid as it should and the clutch pedal firmed up- job done. Have since purchased a new clutch return spring from Euro spares for £9.50 as it would appear the spring weakens over time and doesn't pull the clutch pedal back fully.
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Ohh, interesting, my clutch sits about an inch or more lower than it should, looks like I probably want one of those then!
 
J

JohnB

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The white substance is created by an interaction between the plastic release agent and the brake fluid over time. This was an issue in other cars that used this type of plastic part.
 
Geo

Geo

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JohnB said:
The white substance is created by an interaction between the plastic release agent and the brake fluid over time. This was an issue in other cars that used this type of plastic part.
Click to expand...

Interesting John. I have been unable to find anything on the net regarding this problem.
 
Nibby

Nibby

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Geo said:
The most awkward part of the job was locating the ends of the circlip that holds the rod into the clutch pedal. You are working upside down lying on your back and unable to see how the clip lies. I used a piece of plasticine and pressed it into the back of the pedal where the rod goes. When carefully removed, you will have an impression showing the orientation of the circlip ends, and you will also see what size of circlip pliers you need for best fit.
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Thread revival
Last year I was having trouble with my clutch pedal being spongy until the car warmed up and then it was fine, what I did notice that the circlip Geo mentions is not in it's position but just loose on the pushrod. I've got a new master cylinder to go on when I attempt it myself or find someone more qualified to put it on.
Would the circlip not being fixed in position cause my clutch pedal to be spongy when cold?
Go easy on me as I'm not the most gifted mechanic.
 
Oneball

Oneball

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11,106
Not sure how it can be loose on the rod?? Is the rod itself loose?

This is from my 3200, if it’s the same pedal box it could be the rubber bush.
96702
 
todd.the.submariner

todd.the.submariner

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Thread revival, part deux.
I'm back in the Maser club - post to follow with details. But on exiting the freeway from the 800 mile drive with my "new" 2003 Spyder GT, the clutch went to the floor and stayed there. I won't elaborate on the expletives uttered, or in the barbaric manner in which I made my way home, ignoring all traffic signals with my hazards on, idling along in second gear.
As I am of a vintage that I've only adjusted cable/linkage style clutches, never hydraulic, I was quite thankful to dive in to SM and immediately find this post. Going to try to do a brake/clutch bleed and see what happens.
 
Scaf

Scaf

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6,553
Congrats on the new Maserati, let’s hope its a simple fix.

My brother taught me to drive without a clutch and when my Mustang’s clutch failed, I drove across town with out major issues. From traffic lights I had turn it over in 2nd gear and off she went …..
 
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