Clutch Fluid vanished !

Message

beckh · #1 Post by **beckh** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:27 pm

Is this normal ? Went out to start preparing for going back on the road next week, all is good now but the clutch felt a bit weedy. Looked at the reservoir and it is empty. I dont seem to have had a leak, but the bike has been stood relatively undisturbed for the best part of 4 months now, so where has it gone ?I am cabable of refilling it (done a few brakes in my time) but do I have another problem perhaps

Firestarter · #2 Post by **Firestarter** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:38 pm

Umm, I think you may have a problem - my fluid level has remained constant the whole time I've had the bike - ranging from it being laid up for a few months to daily use. Colour change, yes, but that's about it.

Any fluid on the floor around the bike?

D-Rider · #3 Post by **D-Rider** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:16 pm

Probably the slave seal - when they leak it's often not that obvious. Take a close look and you'll probably see the problem. Options are to fit a new seal or take the opportunity to go for an MPL or Evo aftermarket slave

xrphil · #4 Post by **xrphil** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:31 pm

thats what happened to mine, replaced the seal in 1/2 hr, and bleed it.
seal is not an Aprilia part, but you can get one at a bearing shop for peanuts.
that was a year ago, no probs since.

beckh · #5 Post by **beckh** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:40 pm

I cant get to the side of the bike at the moment cos the garage is full of stuff. Will check tonight, but I cant see any leak.Probably be back on here at 9 o'clock with tales of woe, seems to be the way it is for me at the moment. I blame myself for not paying the bike enough attention all winter. Got 6 weeks to make sure its perfect before attempting 750 miles to Italy.

beckh · #6 Post by **beckh** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:17 pm

No fluid around or under the bike. Nothing in the belly pan and the hose is dry right to the bottom. Under the front sprocket cover is wet but it always is, due to the scottoiler. What do you think ? Is it possible that the fluid was low anyway (I hadnt noticed) and retreated past the first compressor on the handlebar ? The fluid wouldnt evaporate on the floor and even if it it had I would see a stain, surely? Maybe I could just top it up and see if that did the trick. Whaddya reckon ?

D-Rider · #7 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:34 pm

beckh wrote:No fluid around or under the bike. Nothing in the belly pan and the hose is dry right to the bottom. Under the front sprocket cover is wet but it always is, due to the scottoiler.

Like mine was when it started leaking ... but I bet its a mixture of road crap. chain oil and clutch fluid .... it's not a very big pot of fluid that you're emptying into there after all.

I'm still betting its your slave seal ....

beckh · #8 Post by **beckh** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:44 pm

d-rider,you are probably right, not much fluid in there and a small leak could drop it enough to disappear from the reservoir. Another job then. I got to ride soon, nice day today and I missed it !

loafersmate · #9 Post by **loafersmate** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:55 pm

defo clutch cyl seal, undo the three retaining bolts and the inner spacer will be full of the missing oil........guess how I know!! also the vernerable mpl slaves are not infalable, I just had to send mine back to Germany as the seals were leaking and they are not customer replaceable.

D-Rider · #10 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:21 pm

loafersmate wrote:defo clutch cyl seal, undo the three retaining bolts and the inner spacer will be full of the missing oil........guess how I know!! also the vernerable mpl slaves are not infalable, I just had to send mine back to Germany as the seals were leaking and they are not customer replaceable.

That's worth knowing about the MPL slaves - must get a replacement seal for my standard slave in case I ever have trouble with the MPL

beckh · #11 Post by **beckh** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:06 pm

Cylinder very clean at the bottom ! When I have separated the spacer, I believe the seal we are investigating is on the back of the piston ? I cannot currently afford the Evo setup at £120 quid from RSVR. Anywhere recommended that I can find the MPL. I cannot wait too long so may have to get a new seal from somewhere .

loafersmate · #12 Post by **loafersmate** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:49 pm

eblag or direct from MPL

beckh · #13 Post by **beckh** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:41 pm

Master cyl seems OK as is can be heard trying to compress when the lever is pulled. Slave had a little fluid left but not much. Unable to confirm that seal is duff, but the bottom of the casing is cleaner than the top and all around front sprocket is wetter than I expect. The seal IS available from Aprilia Yorks for about £20 inc carriage. I reckon its worth 20p though

Got to try a bearing place or something as suggested. Tight as a ducks whatsit,me

xrphil · #14 Post by **xrphil** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:39 pm

i just took my old one to the shop, and they found a replacement.
It would be good if you get a new one, to post its diminsions on here.
I wish i,d kept them, and will probably get a spare if you get the numbers.

beckh · #15 Post by **beckh** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:44 pm

xrphil,what shop did you take you old one to ? I have noticed some scraping marks on the edges of the old one that indicate wear. I have been to 4 local bike shops and no-one can help, so I tried an on-line bearing shop. They had sizes but none to match mine. I am worried that if I got a non-specified one that it would leave me in the same situation quickly. I may cut my losses and but an MPL or EVO. The EVO has a good saving direct from the US but I may get collared for the tax. Did me for a pair of trainers once, the customs nazis