Author Topic: primitive grinds his clutch  (Read 2696 times)

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Offline franksolich

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primitive grinds his clutch
« on: January 10, 2014, 03:25:32 PM »
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Oh my.

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Tab (9,420 posts)    Fri Dec 27, 2013, 06:48 PM

Ummm.... my clutch grindeth

I have a '78 MGB with a custom high-performance engine (about 30,000 miles ago) and at that point I put in an overdrive transmission. It's worked perfectly. I recently stored it in my garage for the winter, though on a warm(er) I day I try to start it up. Suddenly it grinds like hell trying to go into reverse (never actually goes), and it's impossible to get it into any other gear (although those don't grind, they just don't work).
 
On the few times I've lost the clutch on other cars in the past it's been gradual process, but this seems different. Could there be something else going on?

^^^the diet cola primitive, originally from New England but who now lives in New Mexico or thereabouts.  An oft-fired chef, he had a fondness for sucking on the bottle overmuch; I dunno if he's dry now or not, but he was a really sad, a really sordid, a really hard, case.  He was a regular in the cooking and baking forum until dear old sweet Lu took the reins there, and as dear old sweet Lu doesn't care, like many other former regulars, he wandered away.

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Turbineguy (18,136 posts)    Fri Dec 27, 2013, 06:53 PM

1. If I recall correctly, these cars have a hydraulic clutch.

The master cylinder is next to the brake master and the slave cylinder is next to the clutch on the left side. The small cylinder is an easy and cheap overhaul. Not really a good choice of terms those.

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Mopar151 (6,571 posts)    Sat Dec 28, 2013, 02:54 AM

3. See if you have fluid left in the clutch master.

If not, refilling and bleeding may buy you a day or 2 - or confirm where the fluid is going. In most cases, the clutch slave is the culprit - corrosion in the bore has met abrasion of the seal. Rebuilding is generally an exercise in futility, and new ones are cheap anyway.

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BobUp (315 posts)    Mon Dec 30, 2013, 06:52 AM

4. Storage is the problem

as an example, what do you suppose happens to disc brake rotors and the brake drums on cars when the cars or trucks are stored for a period of time? They rust. What has occurred is rust on the flywheel and the metallic parts of the clutch disc. You might need to remove the trans and bell housing and sandpaper-emory cloth the flywheel. If you installed a clutch disc with metallic engrained into the disc, you might need to replace that. Also, the pressure plate springs and fingers probably have a good coating of rust on them too.
 
People should never, ever "store" a vehicle, vehicles are meant to be driven. At least once in awhile, go start the vehicle, drive it til it gets fully warmed up, put fresh gasoline in it with Stabil, and just keep things flowing.

after which a photograph

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Tab (9,420 posts)    Mon Dec 30, 2013, 09:02 AM

5. Well, even when I store it I make a point to start it and move it when possible.

Storage is not the problem here, because I was driving it constantly over the summer with no troubles and only put it in the garage two weeks ago. I agree storage creates other problems, but likely not the one I'm seeing here.

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Gold Metal Flake (13,794 posts)    Mon Dec 30, 2013, 12:28 PM

6. As others have suggested, the problem is probably insufficient clutch system pressure.

Either the clutch master cylinder or the slave is bleeding pressure around aged seals or you need to top off your fluid.
 
Here is a link to a very good MGB forum:

http://www.mgexp.com/phorum/list.php?1
apres moi, le deluge

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Offline Chris_

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #1 on: January 10, 2014, 03:29:24 PM »
Leaky clutch slave cylinder.
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Offline Bad Dog

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #2 on: January 10, 2014, 03:29:54 PM »
They really are too helpless.  It's a freaking MG MORON!!!!.  Apologies to MG owners on this forum who have the competence to deal with these mechanical nightmares.

Offline JohnnyReb

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #3 on: January 10, 2014, 03:31:03 PM »
You own a fur'n car. Just like Obama, you wanted it, you bought it, you own it, now deal with it.
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Offline DefiantSix

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #4 on: January 10, 2014, 03:33:06 PM »
They really are too helpless.  It's a freaking MG MORON!!!!.  Apologies to MG owners on this forum who have the competence to deal with these mechanical nightmares.

Count your blessings the DUmbshit isn't driving an Opel or Citreon - and crowing about it to all the other retards. :thatsright:
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Offline Bad Dog

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #5 on: January 10, 2014, 03:42:15 PM »
Leaky clutch slave cylinder.

Excellent analysis, of absolutely no use to Tab.  Call me a car grabber but I think it should be against the law for DUmmies to own British or Italian cars.

Offline Chris_

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #6 on: January 10, 2014, 03:46:56 PM »
:rofl:

I have the same problem with my car.  If I drive it for more than a few days without topping off the clutch fluid, I loose pressure.  Ditto if I let it sit.  It's probably bone-dry right now since it's been in storage since September or so.

Topping off the clutch reservior and pumping the pedal a bit is usually enough to get me going again.
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Offline Bad Dog

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #7 on: January 10, 2014, 03:51:43 PM »
:rofl:

I have the same problem with my car.  If I drive it for more than a few days without topping off the clutch fluid, I loose pressure.  Ditto if I let it sit.  It's probably bone-dry right now since it's been in storage since September or so.

Topping off the clutch reservior and pumping the pedal a bit is usually enough to get me going again.

That's easy for you to say but, Tab's solution will be to call Sergio at the local foreign car repair place, write a huge check to Sergio and bitch about getting ripped off at the DUmp.

Offline Chris_

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #8 on: January 10, 2014, 03:53:56 PM »
Tab better save up his money and call John Twist.  Sergio doesn't work on British cars. 
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline JohnnyReb

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #9 on: January 10, 2014, 03:54:10 PM »
:rofl:

I have the same problem with my car.  If I drive it for more than a few days without topping off the clutch fluid, I loose pressure.  Ditto if I let it sit.  It's probably bone-dry right now since it's been in storage since September or so.

Topping off the clutch reservior and pumping the pedal a bit is usually enough to get me going again.
You have enough sense to deal with minor automotive problems...DUmmies however can't operate the Fred Flintstone car because it's to complicated.
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Offline jukin

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #10 on: January 10, 2014, 04:12:45 PM »
Leaky clutch slave cylinder.

I was out in the middle of nowhere and the master cylinder went out. After bleeding the slave several times, I figured it  was the seals would let the brake fluid slip by real quickly. I could see the slave go down but pop right back up. Luckily for me there was a farmer nearby. He gave me enough 90 WT gear oil to fill up the system. It worked like that for about a year until I finally replaced the master.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #11 on: January 10, 2014, 04:14:46 PM »
Holy cow.  Yeah, that'll work. :rofl:

It's one or the other.  Might as well replace both.
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #12 on: January 10, 2014, 05:12:34 PM »
A primitive with an MG?

Oh my. 

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #13 on: January 10, 2014, 05:17:20 PM »
A primitive with an MG?

Oh my. 
Tragic.

At least it's a rubber bumper model.
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #14 on: January 10, 2014, 05:39:25 PM »
They really are too helpless.  It's a freaking MG MORON!!!!.  Apologies to MG owners on this forum who have the competence to deal with these mechanical nightmares.

They're not that bad.  I've worked on far worse.  Mine is also not my daily driver, so I am alleviated from some stress, though. 

Tragic.

At least it's a rubber bumper model.

True.  I'd like to see the specs on the warmed over lump he had rebuilt.   

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #15 on: January 10, 2014, 05:47:37 PM »
Primitive - this might be bold of me, but..

If you are going to ask questions like this on DU, you probably shouldn't own an MG.

Offline BattleHymn

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #16 on: January 10, 2014, 05:53:06 PM »

^^^the diet cola primitive, originally from New England but who now lives in New Mexico or thereabouts.  An oft-fired chef, he had a fondness for sucking on the bottle overmuch; I dunno if he's dry now or not, but he was a really sad, a really sordid, a really hard, case. 

With a handle like "Tab", I have my doubts. 

Offline jukin

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #17 on: January 10, 2014, 07:41:39 PM »
MG = Lucas Prince of Darkness.
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #18 on: January 10, 2014, 08:59:51 PM »
MG = Lucas Prince of Darkness.

I just drove my MG, in the rain, with the wipers on, the heater running, the lights on, and even used the turn signal and brake lights, with NO problems. :tongue:

I take meticulous care of all grounds and wiring connections, which is why I'm still running with what I believe are all original fuses except for one.  They are Lucas brand glass fuses, and contain a small piece of paper labeled something like "17A continuous LUCAS 35A" or some such nonsense , along with the actual fuse wire. 

It's not that much work to keep everything in good running shape, but it does require at least some time investment for maintenance.  Some people treat their cars like an appliance, and for them I wouldn't recommend an MG.
 

Offline Chris_

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #19 on: January 10, 2014, 09:37:34 PM »
Finally, a reply.  Sort of.

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Fri Dec 27, 2013, 07:05 PM
Star Member Tab (9,421 posts)
2. Hmm.... will have to look in on that.

Thanks for the insight!

- Tab

Yeah, insight.

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Offline jukin

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Re: primitive grinds his clutch
« Reply #20 on: January 11, 2014, 10:52:10 AM »
I just drove my MG, in the rain, with the wipers on, the heater running, the lights on, and even used the turn signal and brake lights, with NO problems. :tongue:

The exception that proves the rule. I never went British but did abuse myself in college with a Fiat 124 Fiat Spyder. It ran at least 20% of the time but when it did I had a great time. People would help me bump start it all the time. I'd thank them and the usual response was no problem, I had one too.
When you are the beneficiary of someone’s kindness and generosity, it produces a sense of gratitude and community.

When you are the beneficiary of a policy that steals from someone and gives it to you in return for your vote, it produces a sense of entitlement and dependency.