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Occassional White Smoke from my BJ8

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J Eade

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Every once in a while, my 64 BJ8 emits an embarrassing amount of white smoke. Doesn't last long and seems to occur when I have just braked the car. Someone remarked that it was probably brake fluid being sucked up through the servo unit and into the carbs...any possible truth in this opinion?
 
Well, it's either passing on the signal that there's a new Pope......or the brake fluid theory is plausible. It's not oil, as it is intermittent, and it's not black in colour. I have heard of this problem, and the fact that it happens after braking would support that. A reasonably easy fix I believe.
 
Hi JEade, If the smoke is truly white it just may be that the seal in the brake booster is failing . This allows brake fluid to be sucked into the intake system and when it burns it generates pure white smoke.---Keoke
 
[ QUOTE ]

Hi JEade, If the smoke is truly white it just may be that the seal in the brake booster is failing . This allows brake fluid to be sucked into the intake system and when it burns it generates pure white smoke.---Keoke

[/ QUOTE ]
I concur. Happened to me, new booster fixed it.
 
Had the same problem on my BJ8. VAST amounts of white smoke was really embarassing. Was the booster leaking.
 
This is a common problem on old Minis like mine. The fluid leaks past the seals and gets sucked up the hose to the intake manifold. Hopefully new or NOS parts are available for you A-H guys. I had to buy a complete replacement servo.
 
Hi J Eade,

I ended up rebuilding the original booster after the same symptoms.
One easy way to tell is undo a few screws on the booster bottom face and pry it back a little. If brake fluid is coming out then it confirms the problem.
Let me know if you want to rebuild the old unit,I know of a good shop.
Hope that helps..
 
I'd would appreciate the recommendation. Did you consider doing the rebulid yourself? I think you can procure a rebuild kit from Moss...Is it a tough job?
 
I used Power Brake Exchange in San Jose,CA(408-292-1305). They charged $235 and that includes shipping and they powder coated it and painted it, generally made it look original again.I was very happy with the returned unit.
I thought about the rebuild myself but after talking to people on this forum and the Healey list I thought the probability of getting it right was low. Most say it is tough to do right and even then you go through a couple of rebuild kits.
 
JEade, I use the same rebuilder and have been satisfied with their product for the last 15 years or so.---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
 
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