Will brake fluid gravity drain? Opened disk bleeder, zip happened : MGA Forum : The MG Experience

Will brake fluid gravity drain? Opened disk bleeder, zip happened #1 This topic is about my 1962 MG MGA MkII
three5bangers Steve M Valhalla, NY, USA Sign in to contact 1962 MG MGA MkII 1983 Audi Coupe GT 1983 Audi Quattro 1984 Ford Crown Victoria & more	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 28, 2016 06:24 PM Joined 9 years ago 481 Posts

If the bleeder (either one) is open on a front caliper should fluid ooze out or does it need to be pumped out by the brake pedal? The rubber hoses are only 2 years old so we shouldn't be dealing with internal collapsed issues. Note: One caliper piston is frozen. A British car shop did some inital work on the MGA when I purchased it 2 years ago - including that I had them put the new rubber hoses on. The mechanic said I should really get some new hard lines. Maybe he was afraid to say more with me driving it off the premises. I though he meant they might burst but maybe he was hinting they have a lot of resistance or clogs. Yep the brakes are probably not the best.

I just bough some new calipers. Next step would be to disconnect the hose from the caliper and see if fluid flows. The impetus for moving fluid is to try to get the freshest in the system for my new calipers.

If the car is designed to only move fluid when the pedal is depressed I deal with it then. This is one car where I might not be able to get the wife to pump the pedal for me. She might not be able to get in.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-09-28 06:29 PM by three5bangers.

Reply

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Re: Will brake fluid gravity drain? Opened disk bleeder, zip happened #2
rntanner Roger N. Tanner (Disabled) Oxnard, CA, USA Sign in to contact 1970 MG MGB 1977 MG MGB	Sep 28, 2016 06:58 PM Joined 15 years ago 4,348 Posts

The answer to your question is NO!

I don't know your age, your $$$, or how long you have owned that MGA; but, there are permanent solutions for hydraulic brakes:

Start with all new seals and soft goods in the hydraulic parts, if they can be disassembled and cleaned with alcohol and blown dry with compressed air.

If there is any rust/corrosion/trash in any of the hydraulic parts, they should be removed and replaced with new parts:

- - - BUT - - -

THERE IS A PERMANENT SOLUTION:

I am an MGB person, and don't know all the ins and outs of an MGA; but, if you have brake and clutch hydraulic problems; there is a permanent solution:

Charge your brake and clutch hydraulic systems with DOT 5, SILICONE BRAKE FLUID, which does not mix with water from humid air.

I did this change on my 1977 MGB in 1983, and 79,000 miles later, I have NEVER touched either of the brake or clutch hydraulics.

Most your parts needed will be in this list:

http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/SearchResults.aspx?SearchText=brakes&WebCatalogID=7

Yes, your local auto supply will have DOT 5, Silicone Brake Fluid; but, if have a problem, your closest local Harley-Davidson Motorcycle store always has this DOT 5 hydraulic fluid on-hand.

Roger N. Tanner
Professional Engineer, Retired

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-09-28 07:00 PM by rntanner.

Reply

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Re: Will brake fluid gravity drain? Opened disk bleeder, zip happened #3
ron neal Coastal, SC, USA Sign in to contact 1962 MG MGA MkII 1968 MG MGC 1969 MG MGC 1969 MG MGC GT & more	Sep 28, 2016 09:34 PM Top Contributor Joined 15 years ago 8,008 Posts

Steve
Every rebuilder of MG brake master cylinders will not warranty their work if Dot 5 is used, if Dot 3 or 4 is used they usually have a lifetime warranty.
I am not going to get into the Dot 5 argument but will just say this: Some swear by it and some swear at it.
Your call but just wanted you to be informed.
Ron

Reply

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Re: Will brake fluid gravity drain? Opened disk bleeder, zip happened #4
dipstick Kenny Snyder (RIP) La Center, WA, USA Sign in to contact 1941 Ford N-Series 1958 MG MGA 1500 Coupe "Rosie" 1970 MG MGB GT "Pat's GT" 1971 MG MGB "Gifted To Me" & more	Sep 29, 2016 12:14 AM Top Contributor Joined 15 years ago 7,564 Posts

The brake fluid might gravity drain but the air in the lines will continuously float upward negating 'draining' that is happening. Get the neighbor kid to slowly depress the pedal three times and hold it on the floor. You open the bleeder screw, air comes out, close the bleeder screw, yell 'up' meaning release the pedal. Wait a few seconds for the air & fluid to equalize, then repeat. 'Down' pedal', bleed, 'up pedal', over and over until just fluid comes out of the bleeder screw. I have resorted to compressing a stick between the seat cushion and the down pedal, then going under the chassis to open & close the bleeder screws.

Be safe out there.
Kenny

Reply

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Re: Will brake fluid gravity drain? Opened disk bleeder, zip happened #5
Bolney Coupe David A Haywards Heath, Sussex, UK Sign in to contact 1960 MG MGA 1600 Coupe "Iris"	Sep 29, 2016 05:48 AM Top Contributor Joined 9 years ago 1,104 Posts

Steve

You could treat yourself to a Gunson Eezibleed and do the job single handed.

Cheers

Dave

Reply

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Re: Will brake fluid gravity drain? Opened disk bleeder, zip happened #6
three5bangers Steve M Valhalla, NY, USA Sign in to contact 1962 MG MGA MkII 1983 Audi Coupe GT 1983 Audi Quattro 1984 Ford Crown Victoria & more	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 29, 2016 07:41 AM Joined 9 years ago 481 Posts

Does the Eezibleed come with the proper cap for the fluid resevoir? MGA seems to have a very tiny cap. The cap is also very close to the hood (bonnet) opening making me think a clamp on cap like the Eezibleed multi-purpose cap may not be fittable

In reply to # 3363931 by Bolney Coupe Steve

You could treat yourself to a Gunson Eezibleed and do the job single handed.

Cheers

Dave

Reply

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Re: Will brake fluid gravity drain? Opened disk bleeder, zip happened #7
Blueosprey90 Jeff Sienkiewicz New Milford, CT, USA Sign in to contact 1957 Volvo PV444 1959 MG MGA 2004 Honda S2000	Sep 29, 2016 07:49 AM Top Contributor Joined 14 years ago 5,148 Posts

I gravity bleed my brakes - but since I don't have a lift, usually just one or maybe two at a time. I do it so often (at least 2 or 3 times a year) that I rarely do a full bleed. Don't mess with the clutch with this method though.

If you are not getting fluid flow, just try taking the bleeder off. Perhaps it is clogged. If fluid starts to "rush" out, just screw it back in to stench the flow.

Not MGA, but I basically follow Billman's procedure. In particular, see step #4. The ATE Super Blue fluid he describes is no longer blue do to federal regulations. Alternating between blue and gold let you know when the system was purged. Now it is all gold. So you'll have to estimate when new fluid is flowing.

http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/995456-billmans-brake-fluid-gravity-bleeding-revised/

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-09-29 07:57 AM by Blueosprey90.

Reply

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Re: Will brake fluid gravity drain? Opened disk bleeder, zip happened #8
billjamesSTJames Bill James Southport, NC, USA Sign in to contact 1959 MG MGA 1500	Sep 29, 2016 08:23 AM Joined 13 years ago 475 Posts

You could also install EZ Bleeders. They replace your old bleed screws. The have a check valve inside that only allow fluid to come out but stop air going in when you take your foot off the pedal.
You can't use then on a totally dry system (not enough pressure to over come the spring) but does allow a one person bleed brake .

Bill

11959525892232199988.jpg 4.3 KB

Reply

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Re: Will brake fluid gravity drain? Opened disk bleeder, zip happened #9
geezer charles durning Magee, MS, USA Sign in to contact 1967 Morris Minor 1000 Saloon (2-door) "Marvin" 1974 MG MGB GT "Foghorn Leghorn"	Sep 29, 2016 08:56 AM Top Contributor Joined 13 years ago 6,491 Posts

When I do a car with the MC on the fire wall, I always let the system gravity bleed first. It might take a pump or 2 to get things flowing. It does take time so if you have something else to do just leave it alone. After the system has dripped for awhile, the final bleeding, if necessary, is a breeze.

CAUTION!!

Information in my journal may not be suitable for those who are sensitive. View at your own risk.

Know the rules well so you can break them effectively. Dalai Lama

That is why I always say, who cares how the factory did it, they did so many things so wrong, they were never the example to follow. Hap Waldrop

Reply

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Re: Will brake fluid gravity drain? Opened disk bleeder, zip happened #10
Bolney Coupe David A Haywards Heath, Sussex, UK Sign in to contact 1960 MG MGA 1600 Coupe "Iris"	Sep 29, 2016 10:42 AM Top Contributor Joined 9 years ago 1,104 Posts

Steve

My Eezibleed came with an assortment of MC caps and one of them was fine for the MGA MC.

Cheers

Dave

Reply

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Re: Will brake fluid gravity drain? Opened disk bleeder, zip happened #11
Bandersnatch Larry Wheeler Hillsboro, OR, USA Sign in to contact 1957 MG MGA "Rosie 2"	Sep 29, 2016 10:59 AM Joined 15 years ago 2,034 Posts

Not trying to discourage anyone Roger, but if you don't have an MGA and don't know much about MGAs, I'm just wondering why are you spending so much time and posting so much on the MGA forum? Thinking of coming over to the 'A' team?

There is an MGB forum in case you hadn't seen it. MGB & GT Forum

In reply to # 3363694 by rntanner
I am an MGB person, and don't know all the ins and outs of an MGA . . .

Do you know why the British don't make computers? They can't figure out how to make them leak oil!

Reply

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Re: Will brake fluid gravity drain? Opened disk bleeder, zip happened #12
three5bangers Steve M Valhalla, NY, USA Sign in to contact 1962 MG MGA MkII 1983 Audi Coupe GT 1983 Audi Quattro 1984 Ford Crown Victoria & more	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 29, 2016 11:48 AM Joined 9 years ago 481 Posts

I took the bleeders out. No fluid came out. So ambiguity reigns . More investigation , I'll probably need someone to push the pedal next.

In reply to # 3363983 by Blueosprey90 I gravity bleed my brakes - but since I don't have a lift, usually just one or maybe two at a time.

If you are not getting fluid flow, just try taking the bleeder off. Perhaps it is clogged. If fluid starts to "rush" out, just screw it back in to stench the flow.

Reply

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Re: Will brake fluid gravity drain? Opened disk bleeder, zip happened #13
Ex Pat Anthony Boothman Barrie, ON, Canada Sign in to contact	Sep 29, 2016 08:04 PM Joined 8 years ago 357 Posts

did have the cap off when did this ?

Reply

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Re: Will brake fluid gravity drain? Opened disk bleeder, zip happened #14
three5bangers Steve M Valhalla, NY, USA Sign in to contact 1962 MG MGA MkII 1983 Audi Coupe GT 1983 Audi Quattro 1984 Ford Crown Victoria & more	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 30, 2016 12:02 AM Joined 9 years ago 481 Posts

I did loosen the cap.

In reply to # 3364482 by Ex Pat did have the cap off when did this ?

Reply

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Re: Will brake fluid gravity drain? Opened disk bleeder, zip happened #15
Blueosprey90 Jeff Sienkiewicz New Milford, CT, USA Sign in to contact 1957 Volvo PV444 1959 MG MGA 2004 Honda S2000	Sep 30, 2016 05:17 AM Top Contributor Joined 14 years ago 5,148 Posts

Your master cylinder working? If you rebuilt it, did you bench bleed it before install? My new rubber seals were way too tight and prevented the valve from returning to rest. So no matter how much I pumped, nothing happened. It was just stuck. Same thing the second time I rebuilt. Seals too tight. Bench bleeding is important and also, I think, install the MC with fluid. Anyway, might be worth considering.

Reply

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

MGA Forum

Will brake fluid gravity drain? Opened disk bleeder, zip happened

To reply or ask your own question:Members Sign InorCreate an AccountRegistration is FREE and takes less than a minute

To reply or ask your own question:

or

Registration is FREE and takes less than a minute