Brake Fluid leak in drivers footwell

Post by **davidvincent** » 20 Oct 2008, 10:59

Howdy all

On my 1980 Aircooled T25 there's brake fluid appearing in the drivers foot well. Not loads but enough to raise concerns. A specialist I have met said it could be the servo unit or master cylinder?, this would cost £210 all in to be replaced.

I'm struggling with the price but he seems like a decent fella, who I hope would tell me if it wasn't that and then just charge me accordingly. I just wondered if you think its worth me having a look first in case it's just a hose or a seal?

I'm good with my hands and have always serviced the basic needs of all my cars/vans although this is my first camper.

Any insight would be appreciated, cheers.

David

Post by **Ian Hulley** » 20 Oct 2008, 11:44

Has your van got a hydraulic clutch ? ... when our (DG) did this it was the crutch master cylinder ... T'onion's did exactly the same.

Ian.

Post by **davidvincent** » 20 Oct 2008, 11:53

Cheers Ian

To be honest I'm not too sure, I'm not by the van today so cant check but going by the age, being the first model of Type 25 I would have thought it was a cable clutch.... hmm, I'll have to check.

Thanks
David

Post by **camper** » 20 Oct 2008, 12:01

It could be a clutch master cylinder this fits behind the middle pedal try http://www.justkampers.com/shop/type_25 ... inder.html Its a diy job can be a fiddle to fit and a common problem to leak out fluid on to the floor when its seals are worn.The brake&servo master cylinder is got at by removing the instrument dash housing and has a hose connection to the clutch master cylinder.The fluid is used then by both the brake & clutch master cylinders filled from a single plastic container .

Post by **trundletruc** » 20 Oct 2008, 12:14

I too noticed a small leak of brake fluid in the driver's footwell. It seemed to be coming from the bottom of the server. I assumed that it would be the brake master cylinder and bought a new one. I'm very glad I did.

When I took the old one off I was shocked to find that the server had a considerable amount of brake fluid inside it! Potentially very dangerous and it must have been doing this for sometime as I had not noticed any particular drop in the brake/clutch reservoir other than normal wear of the brake shoes.

It appears that the master cylinder leaks into the server and gives you no notice that it has worn seals or could be about to fail?

I sucked out the fluid and dried the inside of the server as best I could and I hope it is not going to affect the diaphragm in the server. With the new master cylinder everything seems okay. Server working okay at the moment.

I did this and put on two new brake pipes just before our trip to the south of France. I felt a lot happier going down those steep Pyrenean passes!

Only problem we had was that the ignition light does not always come on when I switch on the ignition. Batteries are being charged okay though?

Trundletruc

Post by **davidvincent** » 20 Oct 2008, 12:19

Thanks guys, I guess I had better take a look myself then.... seems it could be a few different things!

Do I need to remove the clocks/dash to access this? As I mentioned I have never done any work on one of these before, hence all the questions!

David

Post by **trundletruc** » 20 Oct 2008, 12:24

To remove the master cylinder you need to take off the instruments.
Be careful with the printed circuit, they tend to be a bit brittle now.

Trundletruc

Post by **davidvincent** » 20 Oct 2008, 12:31

Thanks Trundletruc

I will keep that in mind.

David

Post by **davidvincent** » 20 Oct 2008, 16:00

ok, so after getting stuck right in and removing the speedometer/clocks and steering column trunking it looks like there is definitely some fluid by the servo and master brake cylinder, this is why the mechanic suggested we change the brake cylinder.... however, there is a lot more fluid on the clutch cylinder and surrounding areas.

I'm slightly at a loss here as to which part to change, hhmm.

advice please?

David

Post by e3 » 20 Oct 2008, 17:30

i have the same problem. the mechanic says its the servo seals. getting it fixed on thurs

Post by **davidvincent** » 20 Oct 2008, 17:44

ok nice one, please let me know how you get on.

Post by **lambrettalee** » 20 Oct 2008, 20:54

CHANGE BOTH, JOB DONE NO MORE FECKING ABOUT

Post by **davidvincent** » 20 Oct 2008, 20:56

that entered my thoughts also but just feelin the pinch this month so was hoping to keep costs down... lets see.

Post by **Red Westie** » 21 Oct 2008, 08:37

The Servo has nothing to do with it! the master cylinder is simply leaking into the servo, don't be conned into believing you need both! or that you need to have both fitted as a matter of cause.
And to e3....
Servo seals What the blithering heck? you are getting duff information, sounds like the guy doesn't know what the hell he is talking about! if the servo diaphram fails the pedal goes hard and you get no braking assistance! this results in very poor and dangerous brakes....but very easily diagnosed ie:
After the engine has been turned off, pump brake pedal until it goes hard (normally 3-5 pumps) whilst applying moderate pressure to the brake pedal start the engine......the pedal should sink and go soft which indicates CORRECT servo operation, if it remains hard the servo is foooooooked or there is a problem with the vacuum supply or one way valve in the servo.
If the servo leaks....it leaks air not brake fluid (unless of course the master cylinder is leaking fluid into it)
I was also going to mention that on petrol engined vehicles which take their vacuum off the inlet manifold (Diesels have a seperate pump) on a vehicle with a leaking master cylinder the brake fluid is often sucked into the engine through the vacuum pipe which can result in excessive engine smoke (in extreme cases)
Martin

Post by **davidvincent** » 21 Oct 2008, 11:57

thanks Martin

Very helpful

dave

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