caille cadet fluid clock

[pj waelti]

Cleaning a friends caille cadet. The machine hasn't worked in 30 years.. Before I take the clock apart and wreck something, I better check here for some advice on what to look for.Or how to clean and relube the hyraulic clock. Thanks for any advice. PJ

[marsonion]

Cleaning a friends caille cadet. The machine hasn't worked in 30 years.. Before I take the clock apart and wreck something, I better check here for some advice on what to look for.Or how to clean and relube the hyraulic clock. Thanks for any advice. PJ

I've done about a dozen refurbs on these by now. First thing: is the dashpot completely drained dry, i.e. does it provide any resistance at all and do you hear any fluid sloshing around inside when you shake it? If it's obviously leaked you'll see greenish stains running down the sides of the crankcase. If it's not completely dry, you may get it working again with a quick refill:

1) Unscrew and remove the timing screw which sticks out sideways near the rear.
2) With the screw-hole pointing upwards, insert a small plastic funnel into the hole.
3) Add Dot 3 brake fluid (which is a reasonably close match to the original stuff) in small amounts while turning the crank arm back and forth, until bubbles no longer rise into the funnel.
4) Replace the timing screw, and try pushing the crank arm back and forth-- it should offer resistance in one direction depending upon the setting of the screw.

You will also now be able to find the leak(s) more easily by doing this. Typically, fluid will percolate up through the top brass hexnut around the crankshaft. I can help you fix that, but also watch the seals at top and back, and around the timing screw. I've had a few that leaked from every place they possibly could, and required total dismantling and resealing at all points... most didn't.

[pj waelti]

Thanks for the input.. The cylinder has some fluid in it. Pretty nasty color though. Do I drain the the old stuff and refill with new? or just add to the old stuff that is in there? Also there is a slight resistance when turning the lever. Thanks. PJ

[marsonion]

Thanks for the input.. The cylinder has some fluid in it. Pretty nasty color though. Do I drain the the old stuff and refill with new? or just add to the old stuff that is in there? Also there is a slight resistance when turning the lever. Thanks. PJ

Years back I got some original fluid chemically analyzed. It contained functional groups consistent with a mix of petroleum oils, glycol ethers and alcohols. I surmised it was an early sort of brake fluid, which coincidentally strips paint just as well as the original clock fluid. In my experience, any Dot 3 mixes seamlessly with whatever was left in the crankcase. Remember, what I'm advising here is just a quick test of the pump for now, not a full repair (yet)... you just might find the thing working fine after the quickie refill, though, and have trouble finding how it got low on fluid in the first place.

[pj waelti]

Will add to what's there and post results back here. Thanks,PJ

[pj waelti]

added fluid and bled air out. Seems to work good. It does have fluid seeping up the crank seal on top. So what is the cure for this? Thanks. PJ

[marsonion]

added fluid and bled air out. Seems to work good. It does have fluid seeping up the crank seal on top. So what is the cure for this? Thanks. PJ

To fix that, you'll have to take the thing apart completely, and replace the rubber washer that seals the crankshaft against the top hexnut. I posted some information on this forum years ago which you can probably search up, or go here and use Google translate if the pictures aren't enough:

http://www.flipjuke.fr/regulateur-hydra ... 03436.html

Or, you can just send the mess to me and I'll do it. We've done business before, PJ.

[pj waelti]

The repair looks straight forward, nothing a car repair guy like me could'nt fix. What would you use for a seal? An o-ring? Also refresh my memory on what I bought from you. Remember I'm old and can't remember crap..HA PJ

[marsonion]

The repair looks straight forward, nothing a car repair guy like me could'nt fix. What would you use for a seal? An o-ring? Also refresh my memory on what I bought from you. Remember I'm old and can't remember crap..HA PJ

That's the spirit! For a seal I usually use small-diameter viton O-rings I get from a local O-ring supplier (they deal in nothing else, believe it or not) that fits snug around the crankshaft and seats in the moat on the underside of the top hexnut. Ace Hardware sells little O-rings in the plumbing supply section for faucets and such that would probably work just as well, though I frankly don't know how materials other than viton would hold up in the hydraulic fluid.

You never bought anything from me-- you made a repro back lip for a Mills gooseneck for me. We have the same first name, that's probably why you're confused!

[pj waelti]

Yup, still have your business card.. Will change out seal. Thanks for all your help. PJ