TR 3 Brake & Clutch Master Cylinders

[mountainman]

I am trying to bleed my clutch and brake systems on my TR3. I have a full reservoir of fluid.
I started with the clutch and opened the bleed nipple. My assistant pumped the pedal several
times, but no fluid came out. Next I checked to make sure I had the 1/2" to 5/8" free play
on the push rod which I did. Then I took the pipe off of the master cylinder that feeds the
slave cylinder, pumped the pedal still no fluid. The PO said that both master cylinders wererebuilt and I have all new hydraulic lines on the car. What can be my problem?
Thanks
Greg

 

[MGTF1250Dave]

Aloha,

With a syringe like tool, eye dropper or small squeeze bottle fill the master cylinder with brake fluid trough the outlet connection. This might be messy, so be careful and protect your paint if using DOT 3 or 4 fluid. Once it is filled reconnect the hydraulic line, and try bleeding again. Filling the master cylinder with fluid before installation is referred to as bench bleeding and is a lot like priming a pump. The fluid helps the seals work better and improves suction and discharge better than air only.

 

[TR3driver]

As Dave suggests, the MC is airlocked. What I've found is that usually, the problem can be solved by loosening the outlet fitting from the MC and working the pedal a few times (relatively slowly).
If you have a helper handy, you can do the bleeding dance (loosen fitting, depress and hold pedal, tighten fitting, release pedal) but I usually don't and the other method has always gotten me by.