master cylinder leak

[Son]

I am wondering if any one could shed some light on my latest problem, my 4 gtl has started leaking brake fluid on the inside of the car down by the back of the pedal. I am wondering if any one has suffered the same problem will i need a new mastrer cylinder or will there be a washer of some kind that could have perished. I also have a problem with pre ignition the guy i had the car off had retarded the ignition due to running on unleaded doe's anybody know if this could be causing the problem
cheers

 

[malcolm]

The seals in the master cylinder will have degraded. The best way to fix it is to buy a new master cylinder.

1108cc R4s are sensitive to pinking. It's possible the vacuum advance on the distributor might have failed - that's worth a check, otherwise it could be down to a need for a service, vacuum leaks, or wear in the distributor advance. Retarding the ignition timing further would reduce pinking, and there's no guarantee the prevoius owner set it correctly. I normally leave the dymanic timing between the two marks on the gearbox casing (see http://www.renault4.co.uk/tech-points.htm ) but you could try lining it up with the inner mark to compensate for distributor wear.

 

[Son]

master cylinder

Thanks again malcolm for your help have you any idea where i can get one from i have priced one up from renault dealer but price seemed excessive. I will have a look at the timing and see if i can make any sense of it as a novice to mechanics it may take some muddling through but hey thats why we bought the car thanks for your link it will be very helpfull.
cheers again

 

[malcolm]

Can see Renault being expensive for master cylinders. New old stock ones turn up on eBay quite often - those are cheapest. Failing that try your local motor factor or Der Franzose in Germany for a reproduction.

 

[Steve Hennessey]

Malcolm, don't you remember Mr Renault's suggestion for pinking? There was a posting some time ago where he said that the small filter on the 28IF carb top became blocked. I'ts under a small dome that needs removing first. I remember somebody trying this and they said it cured the problem.

 

[mr-reno-139]

technical stuff in the Cafe whatever next , is Ian serving the refreshments while we have serious
conversations for him to overhear

my thoughts on master cylinder , be aware of several types M/cylinder ignore ebay sellers who say fits XX year, double check part number by cross reference to oval plate

pinking needs points/ timing set accurately (have posted previously somewhere about this ) worn distributors will cause probs ,Femsa and magnetti marreli not the best

Hi Steve
my magic trick with 28IF carbs only cures hesitation / power loss and not pinking BUT have known desperate mechanics to try adjusting timing at random to try and overcome carb problem

all this typing has made me thirsty , tea with no sugar please

some forums tell you off for posting in wrong section :roll: very laid back here though

 

[Son]

Hi guys,

Sorry for taking so long to reply we have had lots of stuff going on and haven't been able to get onto site untill now, and our poor Reno still hasn't had his Master Cylinder problem looked into. Thanks for all the above advice, I will get my other half to have a read of your replies and let you know how he gets on with sorting it.Hope you all managed to get some Cake with your tea !

 

[Son]

Just realised I never updated you all on my Master Cylinder problem, I know I have no Forum manners! We got a new Master Cylninder in the end and ended up having the one from the Renault Garage. It fixed the problem anyway so I'm happy. Thanks for all your help x