leaky brake fluid from remote reservoir

Post by **246gts** » Mon May 29, 2006 6:34 pm

I fitted a remote reservoir under the bonnet on front bulkhead. It is the plastic version sold by many of the Minor specialists.
I have a problem sealing it properly where the pipe comes out of the bottom to feed to the master cylinder. I have tightened the plastic coupler as much as I can, it has the correst rubber seal and I have replaced the tie wrap supplied with a small jubilee clip but it still seeps out and is causing problems with paintwork at junction of bulkhead and engine bay floor.
Have others had this problem and how did you solve it ?
Dave

Post by **Wal** » Mon May 29, 2006 6:40 pm

246gts,
might be worth checking to see that the plastic isn't cracked. Mine seals up nicely with a jubilee clip with no overtightening.

Regards,
Wal

Post by **Willie** » Mon May 29, 2006 7:46 pm

Yes, I have had problems too with the remote reservoir. It leaks badly if it is
filled to near the top regardless of how tightly I fit the lid and I have finished
up by only filling to two thirds of the capacity. I also get a dampness on the
outlet pipe despite a very tight supplied nylon strap on it. I am about to try a small jubilee clip.

Post by SR » Mon May 29, 2006 8:00 pm

ive got a feul pipe clip on mine ,seems ok

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon May 29, 2006 8:01 pm

If the pipe is a correct fit (tight) and the outlet pipe is designed properly it should seal even without the cable tie / jubilee clip.
I never got round to fitting mine but if that happened I'd buy a different reservoir that has a decent outlet spigot.

Post by **Willie** » Mon May 29, 2006 8:53 pm

RAY, it is a perfectly well formed outlet spigot and a tight fitting pipe which
makes the dampness that much more of a mystery but I will find out if a more secure clip cures it.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon May 29, 2006 10:06 pm

RAY, it is a perfectly well formed outlet spigot and a tight fitting pipe which
makes the dampness that much more of a mystery

yes - that's abit odd to say the least!
Our stuff (clutch hydraulics) is fitted with a push on hose for low pressure lines, then they vaccum fill followed by pressure fill brake fluid at 8 to 10 bar (116psi to 145). It was only designed for 6 bar but the production plants upgraded to 10.
They are done without hose clips!

Therefore I wonder what is up with these ones supplied with the remote reservoir kit

Post by **Peetee** » Mon May 29, 2006 10:44 pm

Check it carefully. I had one fail where the bottle forms the stub the flexible pipe fits to. It lead to a big puddle and I lost all the paint on the top of the bulkhead crossmember

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed May 31, 2006 1:22 pm

How do these things connect to the master cylinder ? Is it just a cap that fits in place of the normal filling plug?

Post by **bigginger** » Wed May 31, 2006 1:40 pm

A pipe connected to the rear of the M/C

Post by **simmitc** » Wed May 31, 2006 1:55 pm

The blanking plug on the rear of the m/c reservoir is replaced (it unscrews) by another one with a tapped hole into which a bit of brake pipe with union is screwed. The hose from the new reservoir connects to the bit of pipe. Sounds heath-robinson-ish but works OK.

The normal filler cap has a small air vent that has to be blocked, otherwise fluid leaks out !

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed May 31, 2006 6:25 pm

The blanking plug on the rear of the m/c reservoir is replaced (it unscrews) by another one with a tapped hole into which a bit of brake pipe with union is screwed

Mine is a one piece job.
Having seen it I'd not buy the kit again - I would modify the original reservoir plug by adding a pipe union, and save £30

Post by **Robins** » Wed May 31, 2006 6:35 pm

If it's the later type with a screw on spigot on the bottom of the resivior then the best thing you can do with it is chuck it out and get one off an old Rover or something. The one in my traveller leaks but as thats been wrapped up in the garage for 2 years I just drianed it out left it for now.
But the one in my van is just one big disaster!! first the very weak spigot broke off, so I made up another spigot insert in brass and fitted that, great for a few weeks then the bottom of the pot broke out and let fluid all over my newly painted engine bay. I was not amused as it's broke twice and the van hasn't actually gone anywhere yet due to not being finished. So got a second hand one from the scrap yard off an old Rover as they had a seperate resivior and it fits in the spring clamp from the kit. I've now got another to replace the one on my traveller as at least it's made properly.
And I would recomend you use the small jubilee clamps instead of the zip ties especially on the back of the M/C.