They are just Schrader tyre valves, I would replace with new from a local tyre shop. Mine didn't charge me..
Replace the cap seals too.
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| Hydro leak ? Help ! https://ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=99566 |
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| Author: | Andosoft [ Mon Dec 30, 2019 10:55 am ] |
| Post subject: | Hydro leak ? Help ! |
I have a 66 deluxe, this is my first hydro mini and I need some help diagnosing an issue. The background is the car was laid up for many (many) yrs on stands, I recently started the process of getting it back onto the road. Initially when the engine went back in and it was taken off stands it sat on the bump stops. I rigged up a grease gun pump with gauge and pumped up to regulation height wheel centres to guard, rocked the car to settle etc. I used penrite green radiator premix which is a suggested replacement (only minus alcohol I believe). Psi was around 280/290, it was off the bump stops. All good I thought. It held fine, and did so for around 6-7 weeks. During that time it wasn’t driven, but was transported on and off trailers, jacked up numerous times, moved on the driveway etc. The the passenger side lost pressure, seemingly over night after moving off the driveway. It was sitting on grass at the time, I couldn’t see any fluid around or obvious signs of why. Have now re-pumped on driveway. It started off around 100psi, put it back to 290psi, front was about a finger width off the bump stop, 3 finger off guard and rear 4 fingers. No obvious leaks. No drips or any fluid I can see or feel and it has held overnight. Confused. Any ideas on why or suggestions for next steps ? (yes I know dry is an option, but don’t want to spend time and cash on that right now, only after diagnosing/fixing hydro ) |
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| Author: | Stibbsy [ Mon Dec 30, 2019 11:02 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hydro leak ? Help ! |
Check the obvious, Schrader valves. You may have to take off the hydro pipe protector plates that run full length under the body. Gets a lot of dirt and crud over the years. If it is a leaking pipe, they can be silver soldered. Cheers, Alan. |
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| Author: | gtogreen1969 [ Mon Dec 30, 2019 11:22 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hydro leak ? Help ! |
I would be parking it on a cement floor to see where it drips. Open the passenger door and stand on the sill and bounce the car a few times. It could take while for the drips to reach the floor. The common leak points are the fittings, hoses and connections. Could also be the bags or steel pipes. The flare fittings can corrode on the seating area causing a small weap that can drop the pressure with very little evidence of a leak. The drips can travel along the pipework or drip onto the subframe and move along to a spot that is nowhere near the original leak. You mentioned about going dry. You can always keep the hydro but add competition bump stops. They can take a bit of weight off the bags extending their life. You will get a bit harsher ride. Like a cross between wet and dry. But you would want to get the leak issue fixed. If my bags were fine and it is just a leaking fitting thats what i would do. |
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| Author: | drmini in aust [ Mon Dec 30, 2019 11:55 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hydro leak ? Help ! |
It may have a LF hose leak, this won't be obvious until it fills up the top of the bag and overflows. This leak happens if water got in there for years and the steel crimping rusted. And/or the old hose rotted. Hydro hoses can be replaced, PM me for more info. |
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| Author: | TK [ Wed Jan 01, 2020 5:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hydro leak ? Help ! |
"this won't be obvious until it fills up the top of the bag and overflows." my thoughts too Kev |
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| Author: | Andosoft [ Thu Jan 09, 2020 7:54 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hydro leak ? Help ! |
Thanks for the tips, very useful. It’s now kept pressure for 10 days, and I haven’t seen a hint of any fluid on the ground, pipes etc I have fitted the rear comp bump stops now which were already on my list. I know some people also fit shocks to the front, I will consider that at some point. The only thing I found was that the valve cap had black baked-on crud in it, when I first took it off to re-pump there was a little fluid in the cap. I thought it was from when I first pumped. Perhaps the crud had depressed the valve enough to create a slow leak, or the valve is dodgy. (Or maybe I just dug out a petrified rubber seal ?) It’s my only theory at the moment. I guess I wait and see how long it holds and if I need to follow my theory and renew the valve. |
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| Author: | drmini in aust [ Thu Jan 09, 2020 6:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hydro leak ? Help ! |
They are just Schrader tyre valves, I would replace with new from a local tyre shop. Mine didn't charge me.. Replace the cap seals too. |
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| Author: | lomin [ Thu Jan 09, 2020 7:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hydro leak ? Help ! |
Hi, I will just add a little safety comment on working with hydro. One of the business owners of an early successful mini businesses nearly lost an eye when he was checking a front hydro hose, and had his face above the area, while he fiddled with hose. Being at 300psi odd pressure and corroded it shot off the bag, hit him in the eye and knocked his eyeball right out, creating merry hell and a lot of anxst. He is fine now, but often we forget that motor cars are inherently DANGEROUS... Think , be safety conscious .... I suspect most home mechanics are not trained and will not have had training to point out potential dangers Batteries can explode fuel fumes can ignite jacks can collapse Petrol can burn the skin boiling radiators can burn loose clothing or hair can get caught in moving objects. Brakes can fail i am sure everyone has had a moment Cheers Lindsay Siebler |
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| Author: | 850man [ Thu Jan 09, 2020 10:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hydro leak ? Help ! |
I visited the said successful mini business owner in the eye & ear hospital after the hydro hose hit him in the eye and worked with him for a few years afterwards. He still has a scar on his Cornea to this day. Treat Hydrolastic components with great respect, they are operating under high pressure and are now 50+ years old. Bags with 300psi in them are hand grenades these days. |
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| Author: | 9YaTaH [ Fri Jan 10, 2020 5:23 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hydro leak ? Help ! |
drmini in aust wrote: Replace the cap seals too. with metal types, tightened (nipped up) with pliers etc... |
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| Author: | drmini in aust [ Fri Jan 10, 2020 6:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hydro leak ? Help ! |
You want metal caps not plastic. They are the 2nd line of defence if a valve leaks. |
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| Author: | Andosoft [ Fri Jan 10, 2020 11:24 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hydro leak ? Help ! |
Yikes! I’m normally pretty good at thinking about risks before acting. But definitely had not considered that outcome when i stuck my head over the top of the front hose to inspect - exactly as you described. Thanks for sharing |
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| Author: | GuamMini [ Tue Jan 28, 2020 10:54 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hydro leak ? Help ! |
My hydros act the same no signs of a leak but it drops after a long time |
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| Author: | drmini in aust [ Tue Jan 28, 2020 3:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hydro leak ? Help ! |
They do drop with age. Also I find they ride higher in summer and lower in winter. I adjust pressure accordingly to give me 2-1/2 fingers clearance at front tyres. |
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