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Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
by
mtnbob
on 28 Oct, 2008 21:07
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Since I've had my Golf, I've been adding a little brake fluid every once in awhile. Today brake pedal went to the floor and found out I was out of brake fluid. Where is the most likely place it is leaking from? I filled reservoir back up and it is working OK and I know I need to fix it, but I don't see any leaks. :shock: Suggestions??
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#1
by
Vincent Waldon
on 28 Oct, 2008 21:12
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If you're losing brake fluid and you don't see any leaks then the usual suspect is the master cylinder... leaking into the vacuum booster.
If you pull the vacuum booster hose you may be able to smell it/ see it... otherwise you could pull the M/C and see if the pushrod is wet.
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#2
by
Dakotakid
on 28 Oct, 2008 21:16
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Probably in the rear brake (one side or the other) from the wheel cylinder that sits at the top of the backing plate. Eventually, it will come out the bottom where the drum and backing plate almost meet.
The shoes can pick up the fluid and render the rear brake "gone."
Gently use a propane torch to remove the little screws that hold it on when you replace it. They tend to freeze in place very well.
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#3
by
mtnbob
on 28 Oct, 2008 21:30
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Ty for the suggestions Looks like this is my weekend project. I'm guessing M/C since the car sat for awhile before I started working on it.. We will see :?
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#4
by
Quantum TD
on 28 Oct, 2008 23:04
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If you're losing brake fluid and you don't see any leaks then the usual suspect is the master cylinder... leaking into the vacuum booster.
If you pull the vacuum booster hose you may be able to smell it/ see it... otherwise you could pull the M/C and see if the pushrod is wet.
X2.
I see this all the time. You'll want to replace the booster too. It's sure to be full of brake fluid.
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#5
by
jtanguay
on 28 Oct, 2008 23:10
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Probably in the rear brake (one side or the other) from the wheel cylinder that sits at the top of the backing plate. Eventually, it will come out the bottom where the drum and backing plate almost meet.
The shoes can pick up the fluid and render the rear brake "gone."
Gently use a propane torch to remove the little screws that hold it on when you replace it. They tend to freeze in place very well.
last year i noticed one side near the rear tire was always 'wet'... then my brakes were getting pretty bad... to the point that they weren't working anymore. sure enough it was the rear cylinder. changed that out and poof! working brakes!!! be careful with the brake fluid as it will eat most anything it touches.
i hope its not your MC.
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#6
by
mtnbob
on 29 Oct, 2008 16:39
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ok if I need a M/C and vacuum booster what kind is best? are they expensive?
When I looked up M/C's they were pretty cheap.
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#7
by
Possum79
on 29 Oct, 2008 21:29
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I literally just had the same kind of probelm. Mine turned out to be the rear pressure regulator literally broke. I lost a little at a time. It was slow at first then got to leaking pretty good.
http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=16607Check that out to consider that too. I got a pick n pull 10$ part vs new 130$.
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#8
by
mtnbob
on 29 Oct, 2008 22:57
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Ty Possum I will be under the car in a few days, and that will be the first thing I look at. BTW where is it? :shock:
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#9
by
jtanguay
on 30 Oct, 2008 09:06
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its where all the brake lines meet at the back... can't miss it!
put some cardboard under the rear of the car and fill with brake fluid, then start car and give a few pedal depresses... then leave overnight and you should find some wet spots.
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#10
by
shegel
on 30 Oct, 2008 10:01
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#11
by
Possum79
on 30 Oct, 2008 10:02
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#12
by
jtanguay
on 30 Oct, 2008 11:43
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#13
by
Dakotakid
on 05 Nov, 2008 18:01
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What's the verdict, Bob?
The suspense is a-killin' me!!!!
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#14
by
Smokey Eddy
on 05 Nov, 2008 18:30
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too bad its in the states... why did the dollar have to drop so fast!!! :evil:
Augh i hear ya :cry: :cry:
im broke now because of it and my order from prothe.