cheap spares in UK?

These two places have many counter outlets around the country, and do mail order. Looking at a recent catalogue, the prices for these items do seem to have rocketed since I last bought one, and 130ukp may not be so high after all. But any motor factor (look in yellow pages) will carry them, so you may be able to get some at more sensible prices.

What is the problem you are experiencing? The hydraulic system is fairly simple, with a master cylinder operated by the pedal, a slave cylinder at the gearbox end, and a length of pipe in between.

A leak should be obvious, and will result in the fluid level in the reservoir going down noticeably. This will usually be as a result of failing seals in either cylinder, which results in fluid seaping out every time you us the clutch. It it's coming from the master cylinder, this will often result in fluid soaking the carpet around the pedal. You may need to peel back the rubber dust cover at the slave cylinder

- there shouldn't be any collected fluid inside.

If the fluid is very old, it will have absorbed moisture, and will be dark in colour as a result. This can lead to a spongey feel, and will eventually result in rust occurring in the cylinders (particularly the slave cylinder) that will, in turn, damage the seals. If the cylinders are still clean, you can probably get a seals kit for a fiver.

The problem with the clutch started a couple of weeks ago when I found myself stalling pulling off in first gear due to the bite point being different. One morning I tried to start the car and pull off but couldnt get into gear at all. After pumping the clutch pedal a couple of times enough pressure built up for me to get into gear and pull off. This pumping of the clutch made me believe it was the hydraulics that were the problem so I checked my main reservoir for fluid and it seemed fine (even though the clutch pipe takes its fluid from above the minimum!). Anyway, I bled the clutch hydraulics and that solved the problem for a few days, then it went back to its old tricks - requiring the clutch pedal to be pumped a few times. I have re-bled the system so it is fine again for now, but this temporary measure only lasted about 3-4 days the last time. I took the car to my volvo garage and they said they could not find a leak. Is it possible something else could cause this problem? As far as the leak goes, I have noticed the bleed nipple beside the slave cylinder has a lot of thread showing (about 10mm). Is it possible I have lost a seal here? or perhaps cross-threaded the bleed nipple causing a leak? The fluid that is in the main reservoir is very dirty, but the brakes feel fine. Any more information on this would be greatly appreciated. This is my first car, and I've only had it for 3 months :-( Thanks Allan

The leak which you have is an *internal* one. In other words, no fluid is leaking to the outside world. When you depress the clutch pedal, this has the effect of pushing a piston inside the master cylinder, which directs fluid to the slave cylinder - operating another piston inside that which, in turn, operates the clutch release lever.

Each of these pistons has a rubber (well, synthetic!) seal to keep the fluid on the correct side of the piston. When these seals get tired, they allow fluid to leak past the piston instead of going where it should.

The solution is to remove the master and slave cylinders, clean then out thoroughly and fit new seals, re-install them and fill and bleed with new fluid. Should only cost a few quid for the bits. You should *hopefully* be able to get them from a brake and clutch specialist - or maybe from Halfords. [I've just consulted the Haynes manual for my V70 - and that says that internal hydaulic components aren't available, and that you have to replace the whole cylinders. I find that hard to believe! I've certainly bought repair kits for other makes of car in the past.]

Thanks, this sounds plausible however there is one piece of information that may go against this theory, I'm not sure. When newly bled, the clutch pedal has no free play, in other words there is pressure felt immediately on depression (well within an inch anyway) which I assume is pressure from the fluid. When the problem starts to show, there is more play on the pedal, I can depress it approximately half way with no pressure at all, then the pressure starts when I assume I am working against the fluid. If left (like I did the first time) the pedal gets so bad that there is no pressure at all unless I depress the clutch pedal several times which temporarily builds up some pressure. With this in mind, do you still think its an internal leak? I am new to cars, used to be a cycle mechanic so I know some basics. My Haynes manual is slowly becoming my best friend! As far as replacing the seals, my Haynes manual says that the master cylinder is repairable, but the slave isn't. If this is the case, then at least it cuts my cost in half, and the difficulty is 2 spanners so it should be possible for me to do. Many thanks for your help, it is very much appreciated. Allan

Yes, the symptons are consistent with a seal problem in the master cylinder. The seal is usually a kind of cup washer - which opens out and pushes in one direction, but collapses on the return stroke - allowing it to go back and collect any fluid which had got behind it. This is why pumping works - and probably why bleeding works, because this requires lots of pumping.

The problem is more likely to be in the master than in the slave. If you can't get a repair kit for the slave, try just rebuilding the master, and keep the existing slave. It may well fix it.

I'd suggest that in this case, air is somehow getting drawn into the system, and may be consistent with leaking seals, but check the tightness of the bleed nipple and any unions.

I'd certainly have a look around for a seals kit. It's a while since I had a car with a clutch, but time was when the hydraulic cylinders were generic across a range of cars. But it was never really worth changing the slave seals, because a new cylinder was only about a tenner, and new seals would not necessarily solve the problem.

Master cylinders generally cost a bit more, but the though that a clutch slave should cost around 60ukp is depressing. In fact I see Euro Car Parts list one for an 850 at 85.50ukp plus tax. Blummin' 'eck, I hope that's gold plated. Maybe it's down to the steel shortage.