Leaking brake fluid..... err..... I think.....
Moderators: User administrators, Moderators
- Evil Elvis
- Registered user
- Posts: 17
- Joined: 12 Dec 2011, 07:39
- 80-90 Mem No: 9556
- Location: Margate, Kent.
Leaking brake fluid..... err..... I think.....
Hi there,
Got a niggly little drip of something collecting on the floor below my steering column. I'm guessing that it might be brake fluid but I'm not sure as it doesn't smell like it, also, I can't seem to find the point that it's weeping from... Don't want to drive it if it has a braking issue that needs resolving but there appears to be no fall in the fluid level and it presents with no loss in braking power. I would have expected some of both by now...
Anybody had the same issue and solved it...??? Any help would be most gratefully received...
Got a niggly little drip of something collecting on the floor below my steering column. I'm guessing that it might be brake fluid but I'm not sure as it doesn't smell like it, also, I can't seem to find the point that it's weeping from... Don't want to drive it if it has a braking issue that needs resolving but there appears to be no fall in the fluid level and it presents with no loss in braking power. I would have expected some of both by now...
Anybody had the same issue and solved it...??? Any help would be most gratefully received...
Don't do anything by half. If you love someone, love them with all your soul. When you go to work, work your ass off. When you hate someone, hate them until it hurts...
Henry Rollins.
Henry Rollins.
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 128
- Joined: 01 May 2011, 22:33
- 80-90 Mem No: 9604
- Location: Dunoon, Scotland
Re: Leaking brake fluid..... err..... I think.....
Oh good, glad we're not the only one having that wee conundrum!
Can go months with no drip s at all, then one morning there'll be a damp patch on the mat. Ditto no apparent loss of fluid from the reservoir. It must be the brake or clutch master cylinder, but can't ever find evidence of which one.
Rob
Can go months with no drip s at all, then one morning there'll be a damp patch on the mat. Ditto no apparent loss of fluid from the reservoir. It must be the brake or clutch master cylinder, but can't ever find evidence of which one.
Rob
Sandy & Rob live with Vinnie, an '84 1.9 DG Leisuredrive
- Ian Hulley
- Registered user
- Posts: 12659
- Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 08:08
- 80-90 Mem No: 1323
- Location: Wirksworth, Derbyshire ... or at t'mill
Re: Leaking brake fluid..... err..... I think.....
Evil Elvis wrote:Hi there,
Got a niggly little drip of something collecting on the floor below my steering column. I'm guessing that it might be brake fluid but I'm not sure as it doesn't smell like it, also,
Probably the clutch master cylinder. Don't drive it far before you fit a new one. http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... gory_id=48
Ian
The Hulley's Bus
1989 2.1DJ Trampspotter
LPG courtesy of Steve @ Gasure
1989 2.1DJ Trampspotter
LPG courtesy of Steve @ Gasure
- kevtherev
- Registered user
- Posts: 18830
- Joined: 23 Oct 2005, 20:13
- 80-90 Mem No: 2264
- Location: Country estate Wolverhampton Actually
Re: Leaking brake fluid..... err..... I think.....
failure is not an option...
AGG 2.0L 8V. (Golf GTi MkIII)
- Mickyfin
- Registered user
- Posts: 1395
- Joined: 18 Jul 2011, 08:26
- 80-90 Mem No: 10312
- Location: Kuopio, Finland
Re: Leaking brake fluid..... err..... I think.....
Double check/inspect the fluid more closely, it might just be water leaking through the window seal. Check above the fuse box for any wetness too.
Owner of Flintstone, our T3/25 Caravelle C Syncro 1.9 Petrol.
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 14
- Joined: 12 Dec 2011, 20:19
- 80-90 Mem No: 0
Re: Leaking brake fluid..... err..... I think.....
If it was brake/cluch fluid it would stink and obviously be oilly. If you remove clocks which takes 10 mins you can inspect master cylider and reservoid seals for leaks. It's possible that the winscreen surround has rotted slightly under the seal and this causes a tiny hole just above pedals this runs down inside onto/under mats.
- Ian Hulley
- Registered user
- Posts: 12659
- Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 08:08
- 80-90 Mem No: 1323
- Location: Wirksworth, Derbyshire ... or at t'mill
Re: Leaking brake fluid..... err..... I think.....
Unless it's an automatic the most likely source is the clutch master cylinder ... this needs checking as a safety matter. Check the back of the upper part of the pedal for the fluid running down it.
Ian
Ian
The Hulley's Bus
1989 2.1DJ Trampspotter
LPG courtesy of Steve @ Gasure
1989 2.1DJ Trampspotter
LPG courtesy of Steve @ Gasure
- wasserleaker
- Registered user
- Posts: 106
- Joined: 23 Oct 2006, 19:23
- 80-90 Mem No: 3058
- Location: derby's. Caravelle Carat, 2.1 L.P.G'd DJ
- Contact:
Re: Leaking brake fluid..... err..... I think.....
If it is a leaking clutch master cyl and not just the supply pipe from res to cyl,( which is only a push on fit and may be the leak,) eventually the clutch will tend to back off even tho the pedal is down! (i know this from experience!) the van will want to creep forward, and dangerously, you cant get it out of gear as its loaded up, and have to hope it will stall with the brakes. a bit scary to say the least.
the cyl was around 35 quid and wasn't that difficult to fit, you have to feel what you're doing a bit as it's tricky to see up into the narrow area where it is located, plug the supply pipe with a bolt quickly as you pull it clear! and put a few rags down as its a bit of a messy job.
the cyl was around 35 quid and wasn't that difficult to fit, you have to feel what you're doing a bit as it's tricky to see up into the narrow area where it is located, plug the supply pipe with a bolt quickly as you pull it clear! and put a few rags down as its a bit of a messy job.
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 128
- Joined: 01 May 2011, 22:33
- 80-90 Mem No: 9604
- Location: Dunoon, Scotland
Re: Leaking brake fluid..... err..... I think.....
Replaced my master cylinder at the weekend.
Pretty straightforward, once I'd got the pipe union to loosen off. A normal spanner wasn't shifting it but luckily I'd got a small stilson pipe wrench that'd just fit in and got enough leverage to crack it undone. But messy, very messy!
Rob
Pretty straightforward, once I'd got the pipe union to loosen off. A normal spanner wasn't shifting it but luckily I'd got a small stilson pipe wrench that'd just fit in and got enough leverage to crack it undone. But messy, very messy!
Rob
Sandy & Rob live with Vinnie, an '84 1.9 DG Leisuredrive
Re: Leaking brake fluid..... err..... I think.....
But messy, very messy!
drain the clutch fluid first from the clucth slave cylinder end
you could carry out your complete 2 yearly brake fluid change at the same time as its probably been overlooked by a year or two!
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 128
- Joined: 01 May 2011, 22:33
- 80-90 Mem No: 9604
- Location: Dunoon, Scotland
Re: Leaking brake fluid..... err..... I think.....
Think it was extra messy cause when I pulled the flexi pipe off, the plastic barbed connector broke off in it! So my prepared plug wouldn't fit in the end of the hose. Cue much cursing, dribbling, and trying to find something else within reach to plug the hose!
You're almost right about the fluid not being changed. I did it in July when I fitted 2 new calipers and bled the whole system. Didn't like the colour of the fluid that came out, that'd definitely been in there for more than 2 years!!
Rob
You're almost right about the fluid not being changed. I did it in July when I fitted 2 new calipers and bled the whole system. Didn't like the colour of the fluid that came out, that'd definitely been in there for more than 2 years!!
Rob
Sandy & Rob live with Vinnie, an '84 1.9 DG Leisuredrive