Page 1 of 2
Brake fluid leak (clutch not break)
Posted: 11 Oct 2015, 10:15
by Tobias13
Morn all,
So I noticed a small amount of fluid under the pedals this morn and have traced it to the cylinder behind the pedal!! There appears to be a pot with a face plate and gasket, I tighten the bolt but wasn't really loose!!
So I referred to the Haynes and my setup appears to be completely different to that illustrated!! Haynes suggests the cylinder is directly under the reservoir in the dash, I have a hose from the reservoir down to behind the pedals, pics below!!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated on possible repair etc!!

Re: Brake fluid leak
Posted: 11 Oct 2015, 10:18
by Smcknighty
That's the master clutch cylinder - doesn't necessarily mean the leak starts there
Re: Brake fluid leak
Posted: 11 Oct 2015, 10:22
by Smcknighty
What year is the van? I'm envious of the shiny looking speedo and the high tech brake fluid level sensor!
Re: Brake fluid leak
Posted: 11 Oct 2015, 10:27
by Smcknighty
If it was me I'd be keeping an eye on fluid levels and also checking back for more leaks after you tightened the coupling. Clean everything off so that you can see where the leak comes from. Has it had any recent clutch or brake work - even a fluid change?
Re: Brake fluid leak
Posted: 11 Oct 2015, 12:37
by Tobias13
It's an 85'!!
I cleaned it all up last week and checked this morn and there is no dripping on the foot well but the cylinder and pot are wet as is its seeping out!!
Didn't realise it was the clutch, does it share the reservoir with the brakes?
A few months ago my brakes were reported to be imbalanced during the mot so had them done! The mechanic said he just cleaned and the calipers etc and all was sorted!!
The reservior shows plenty of fluid, so I guess the question now is 'is it safe to drive'?
As for repair the manual show no reference to the pot just above the cylinder so stumped on a repair!!!
Re: Brake fluid leak
Posted: 11 Oct 2015, 12:40
by Smcknighty
Clutch shares reservoir with the brakes. Cylinder and pot are wet?? By pot do you mean the fluid reservoir??
Re: Brake fluid leak
Posted: 11 Oct 2015, 13:33
by Tobias13
No not the fluid reservoir in the dash, in photo one there is a square type pot just intron of and above the cylinder!!
Re: Brake fluid leak
Posted: 11 Oct 2015, 14:34
by Smcknighty
K I've not replaced the master cylinder yet so it's hard for me to help you. This is a master cyclinder
https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php/ ... l?___SID=U" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Is the leak coming out of this? If so bob's your uncle! If it's coming from further above then maybe the brake servo is dripping fluid down
Re: Brake fluid leak
Posted: 11 Oct 2015, 14:39
by Smcknighty
Just thought I'd look out of curiosity and found this
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=StawBx6oXNA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; this guy's videos are normally very good
Re: Brake fluid leak
Posted: 11 Oct 2015, 15:21
by Tobias13
Thanks mate, much appreciated!!
Yes it is the same as brickworks but I have a small pot type thing attached to it, the video and web does not show this!!
Tbh it's hard to tell what's going on as I can't really see, I think it is wet up top by the rubber gator thing!!
Re: Brake fluid leak
Posted: 11 Oct 2015, 16:07
by Smcknighty
No need to see, just touch, mine is bone dry everywhere. If it's wet around the rubber gator it sounds like the master to me
Re: Brake fluid leak
Posted: 11 Oct 2015, 16:22
by Tobias13
Yea def leaking!!
Vid is good so thanks!!!
Guess it's a new cylinder then!!!
Can it be driven with that small weep, really need to use it this week??
Re: Brake fluid leak
Posted: 11 Oct 2015, 16:48
by Smcknighty
Your guess is as good as mine...! Good luck
Re: Brake fluid leak
Posted: 11 Oct 2015, 16:57
by Oldiebut goodie
Are you sure that the 'fixer' didn't retract the brake pistons without removing fluid from the reservoir first - this may well be the case. ( check the obvious first, it may not be doom and gloom)
Re: Brake fluid leak
Posted: 11 Oct 2015, 18:02
by Tobias13
No not sure at all!!
The reservoir does seem over filled now you mention it!! So where would it be coming from in that case!!
It's so restricted in there it's hard to tell!!
Bit more investigation I think!!