Brake / Clutch reservoir tank

[dwayne]

Hey guys , went out for a drive earlier and had a bit of a scare when pulling up at a roundabout , brakes engaged but then pedal hit the floor , pumped pedal and they worked but pedal slowly went down . I got home and had a look around no leaks so took the dash pod off fluid level was as it should be but when i pumped the brakes I could hear the hiss of air coming from the cap . Something about the cap looked strange , I will take a pic in a bit to show you .

Basically it has an electrical connection on top ( not sure what this does but wires go somewhere ) and inside is a blue plastic float . Now I have had a new engine fitted a few weeks ago and new clutch to go along with it . When I fitted new brake pipes last year I'm sure that I just had a normal screw on cap that didn't have the float or electrical connection .

so what does the float do and where does the connection go ?

going to take pic now ..... see you in a bit

Cheers
Dwayne

E D I T ... so kinda think this is a fluid level indicator , but where is the low level light , when I take the cap off and pull the float down there is no light visible confused . com

[Red Westie]

Not all resevoirs have one but alot do...this is simply a level warning indicator for the fluid...it activates the same light on the dash as the hand brake warning light. It tells you if the level falls below minimum in the resevoir.
As for your fault....several points.
Loss of brake pedal could be:
Air in the system (usually just creates a spongy feel)
Over heating brakes when the fluid starts to boil (called vapour lock). Common with seized brake capliper pistons.
Seals failing in the master cylinder.. normally creates a progressive sinking of the brake pedal.
Also note* brake fluid should be changed every two years regardless of appearance or mileage covered as it has an unfortunate property called 'Hygroscopic' the brake fluid attracts and absorbs water which lowers the fluids boiling point (not good for hot brakes)
Martin

[dwayne]

Thanks Martin

I think it is the master cylinder as pedal progressively sinks , oh the joys of owning one of these still helped pepperami do his a month ago so not a problem . Just more feckin expense

[Pepperami]

Come on dude at least you know what to do. Just give me the word

[lloyd]

Might check for vacuumn leak / faulty brake booster as can cause dropping pedal and hissing (caused by air leaking into vacuumn).

[Red Westie]

Yes lloyd but never flat to the floor just a hard pedal.....

Martin

[lloyd]

true