Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) 4/4 clutch slave cylinder change

Morning, I have a 1997 4/4 1800 Zetec. I think the slave cylinder seals have worn. After not being used for a while, on depressing the clutch pedal it went to the floor. The clutch would not disengage allowing me to put the car into gear. I pumped the pedal vigorously and managed to get some movement. Checked the reservoir and the fluid level was low so topped up. More pumping managed to get the clutch to work. There is no sign of clutch fluid around the master cylinder but there appears to be something on the bottom of the bell housing that could be fluid. On examination, all I can see is a red pipe that disappears into the bell housing near the top (about 10 o'clock) I am presuming the slave cylinder is in the bell housing. Is there any way to change the slave cylinder without taking the engine out ??. Any help appreciated and thanks in advance. Chris

Chris,

If it is definitely the slave cylinder, then I'm afraid it is engine out.

Engine out on the 4/4 Zetec is not too bad and with a decent engine hoist, it can be a DIY job.

I took mine out single handed but it would have been a big help with a second pair of hands.

Thanks Bob,

I thought that would be the case ....

Been doing loads of digging around on the car and the internet, am I correct in thinking the slave cylinder is a "concentric slave cylinder" ??. If that is the case I now understand how it works, and as Bob points out why you have to remove the engine to change it. I havnt done this for many years when slave cylinders were a simple piston type that pushed a lever.

If someone can confirm if I am correct that would help enormously.

Thanks
Chris

Chris, you're research is correct. It is a concentric slave cylinder. At least it is on my 1999 model.

The benefit is, they tend to have a lighter pedal as there is no loss in the lever system. The down side is, it's engine out to change.

I'm not diagnosing the problem but have you double checked the master cylinder and checked that all the connections and bleed nipple etc are tight.

Thanks Bob

Have checked everything as far as I can and cant find a leak but there is some oil on the underside of the bell housing. Having said that I am not totally convinced so I am not rushing into the job but will see how it develops. At the moment it build pressure back and is OK until its left to stand overnight.

Cheers

Chris

One more thing you could try.

IIRC there is a rubber cover low down on the nearside of the gearbox bell housing to get to the clutch bleed nipple. You can get to it from under the car.

If you take that out you might be able to see the slave cylinder with a mirror or even better a camera borescope.

You might be able to see if the fluid is leaking from the slave cylinder.

Just a thought.

Could it be fluid leaking back past the Master cylinder piston (rather than leaking out where you'd see it) ..... only being optimistic as a master cylinder replace would be easier/cheaper

K

I would change the master cylinder anyway. That might fix it. If it doesn't, a new slave cylinder and an old master cylinder is leaving another impending fail.

Only Morgan I have worked on is my mid 80`s +8 though had a thought if there is a rubber flexible between the chassis and the gearbox, perhaps you could use a clamp to determine if the master cylinder holds pressure when you press the pedal hard, and the pedal lock solid after initial free play is taken up, then the M/C would seem to be OK...?

I could be typing rubbish.