I started having to replace brake fluid and it's been getting worse. I thought one of the rear connector lines at the diff. was loose and took it to a mechanic and asked him to replace it. He put on my new one but said it wasn't the problem. He said the master cylinder was leaking. He also, said he wasn't competent to fix it.
I've been trying to find where it's leaking myself. I can find no evidence of fluid at the reservoir, master cylinder, vacuum lines or anything else I can reach to check. I'm getting fluid running down to my drip pan, right below the oil filter. This leak is without any pressure applied to the brakes.
Does anyone know what is located in such a way that the fluid would be dripping from that area. I don't have a lift so I'm just up on jack stands and it's hard to see anything around there.
Oh, carbed 79 Spider 2000,
Thanks
Missing brake fluid
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mbouse
Re: Missing brake fluid
1. if the mechanic is not competent enough to handle that particular master cylinder change... i'd be running away from that mechanic as fast as possible. it is one of the simplest master cylinders i have ever had the pleasure of replacing!
2. anyone that is not competent enough to replace that master cylinder should not be anyone that you are taking brake equipment advice from in any shape or form.
3. how does he know that the master cylinder is bad?
4. your leak is where? at the oil filter? that is some stretch of the imagination to see a stream of brake fluid fly that far. can you confirm that the leak you are seeing is brake fluid, or do you have two different leaks at the same time?
5. most likely, if your master cylinder is leaking, the fluid is running behind the seal at the rear of the master cylinder...and collecting inside the brake booster.
2. anyone that is not competent enough to replace that master cylinder should not be anyone that you are taking brake equipment advice from in any shape or form.
3. how does he know that the master cylinder is bad?
4. your leak is where? at the oil filter? that is some stretch of the imagination to see a stream of brake fluid fly that far. can you confirm that the leak you are seeing is brake fluid, or do you have two different leaks at the same time?
5. most likely, if your master cylinder is leaking, the fluid is running behind the seal at the rear of the master cylinder...and collecting inside the brake booster.
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Mathew26
Re: Missing brake fluid
Your calipers can leak. And Mike is right that master cyl. is REALLY easy.
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mbouse
Re: Missing brake fluid
to finish up on my thought concerning the stretch of fluid reaching the oil filter ..
no caliper, steel line, flex line or master cylinder is going to place fluid in that area without being under high pressure. bob specifically stated that the leak is occurring with zero pressure being applied to the foot pedal. Brake fluid leaks w/out using the system will result in puddles directly beneath the leaking component.... or will readily hide inside the brake booster. (B.T.D.T.)
i suspect that a different or additional fluid is involved beneath the oil filter. there is a steel inner fender between the caliper and the oil filter. the steel lines may weep w/out pressure applied, especially if they are drastically corroded, but not that far away w/out pressure applied.
no caliper, steel line, flex line or master cylinder is going to place fluid in that area without being under high pressure. bob specifically stated that the leak is occurring with zero pressure being applied to the foot pedal. Brake fluid leaks w/out using the system will result in puddles directly beneath the leaking component.... or will readily hide inside the brake booster. (B.T.D.T.)
i suspect that a different or additional fluid is involved beneath the oil filter. there is a steel inner fender between the caliper and the oil filter. the steel lines may weep w/out pressure applied, especially if they are drastically corroded, but not that far away w/out pressure applied.
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So Cal Mark
Re: Missing brake fluid
I give the mechanic credit for volunteering the fact he didn't feel competent. It may have been because of bleeding procedure or whatever. With all of the poor repairs related here lately I'm happy to hear an honest statement from the guy. Heck, maybe he just didn't want to work on the car.
As for fluid leaks, brake fluid will leak from any point in the system without pressure, depending on the severity of the leak. Any leak in the left front will drain the reservoir, due to gravity. Depending on the routing of lines and hoses, the other corners may or may not empty the reservoir
As for fluid leaks, brake fluid will leak from any point in the system without pressure, depending on the severity of the leak. Any leak in the left front will drain the reservoir, due to gravity. Depending on the routing of lines and hoses, the other corners may or may not empty the reservoir
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bobcity
Re: Missing brake fluid
I'm with you on this!mbouse wrote:1. if the mechanic is not competent enough to handle that particular master cylinder change... i'd be running away from that mechanic as fast as possible. it is one of the simplest master cylinders i have ever had the pleasure of replacing!
I'm not going anywhere near the place again, believe me.2. anyone that is not competent enough to replace that master cylinder should not be anyone that you are taking brake equipment advice from in any shape or form.
He just said it leaked, actually he didn't, his assistant said that he had said that.3. how does he know that the master cylinder is bad?
I thought that at first too., but it is brake fluid and it is forming on my drip pan in the area under the filter. Your answer is what I was asking, how could it get that far towards the front.4. your leak is where? at the oil filter? that is some stretch of the imagination to see a stream of brake fluid fly that far. can you confirm that the leak you are seeing is brake fluid, or do you have two different leaks at the same time?
I think this may help, I'll try to see if it's somehow coming from the booster, I was wondering if it would collect in side the booster.but I've looked around there already. I'll also, just order a new Master cylinder too.5. most likely, if your master cylinder is leaking, the fluid is running behind the seal at the rear of the master cylinder...and collecting inside the brake booster.
All this has been a help,Thanks
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bobcity
Re: Missing brake fluid
Well, there was more to this story, that I didn't want to go into, I had not been to him before, and when I went in I recognized the woman behind the partition (his wife) as someone I had dated many years ago. So maybe he didn't like my car, and maybe he decided he didn't like me. OK whatever, nuff said there. Life is just weird, sometimes. LOLSo Cal Mark wrote:I give the mechanic credit for volunteering the fact he didn't feel competent. It may have been because of bleeding procedure or whatever. With all of the poor repairs related here lately I'm happy to hear an honest statement from the guy. Heck, maybe he just didn't want to work on the car.
As for fluid leaks, brake fluid will leak from any point in the system without pressure, depending on the severity of the leak. Any leak in the left front will drain the reservoir, due to gravity. Depending on the routing of lines and hoses, the other corners may or may not empty the reservoir[/quote]
So, this seems to describe what is happening, gravity empties about 1/3 of res. in a couple of weeks. All right to the same spot. just have to find the lines and follow.
Thanks again.
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bobcity
Re: Missing brake fluid
One more question.
I looked again and could see evidence of fluid on the inboard portion of the lower control arm and the tie rod ends inward of the arm that I hadn't noticed before.
There is no fluid anywhere near the brake line from the caliper to the fender perforation. Which is where I lose the line.
There is no fluid on the underside of the master cyl.
Could a gravity leak, be coming from the bottom of the booster, which I can't reach to see if it is wet? I guess in any event I'll just replace the master cyl. and take it from there.
I looked again and could see evidence of fluid on the inboard portion of the lower control arm and the tie rod ends inward of the arm that I hadn't noticed before.
There is no fluid anywhere near the brake line from the caliper to the fender perforation. Which is where I lose the line.
There is no fluid on the underside of the master cyl.
Could a gravity leak, be coming from the bottom of the booster, which I can't reach to see if it is wet? I guess in any event I'll just replace the master cyl. and take it from there.
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ventura ace
Re: Missing brake fluid
The ususal leak from the Master cylinder dribbles out the rear seal into the front of the booster and works its way down the booster to drip onto the steering box and that general corner of the engine bay. It's hard to see, but you can reach under the booster and feel the lowermost part of it -- wetness there will likely be brake fluid.
Alvon
Alvon