Just found my fresh brake/clutch fluid is full of small black bits in the resevoir. The hose going to the clutch master cylinder is damp with fluid like it has become porous (no pressure in that hose, just tops up the master cylinder). I assume it has perished and put black bits into the resevoir.
It looks like a length of standard hose with two spring connectors. I plan to change the hose, empty tge system and give it a good flush through with new fluid. Anything else to be done?
S1 is easy to empty and refill, do not try that with an s2.
No seloc random advice needed, thanks. It does not need a respray or a new exhaust to fix this problem.
Keith, I can’t bring myself to order that hose new off Lotus, it’s £55! If you find a suitable alternative get me one too…
I do know I’m being daft, I’m just having trouble pressing the button on that particular purchase.
Will do. It looks like a standard hose to me, probably comes in metre lengths, should be enough for several cars.
Its not very standard. Both ends needs to go over slightly differing size bores, so needs to give a bit. Fuel hose isn’t up to the job as it’s even more porous than the hose you have and will sweat fluid almost straight away.
Sadly, it isn’t actually too much to do with the hose, its more the fact that the clutch gets pressed fully, every time you change gear. Where as the brakes only get pressed a little of the way, and only slowing down. The black will return quite quickly even with everything new. For proof, have a look at any Lotus with a bias pedal box, with 3 separate master - the clutch one will always be black after a couple of outings, the brake fluid spotless.
Only fix is to increase the change time to every couple of months.
That is interesting. Am i worried about nothing? I was more concerned that the hose looked damp which I assume is fluid making its way through the hose. I do not remember black bits before, that may just be my memory.
I looked into doing this pipe on my S1 elise before, but never committed to doing it. If I remember correct the Oil/Fuel spec hose can work with brake fluid.
Would need to check with manufacturer.But stuff like this Flurosilicone Lined Straights | Universal Silicone hoses | extruded vacuum tubes
Please assure me it is not blue. Let me know how you get on. I am waiting to get my car back from the oil leak fix then I will get a new hose.