VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

General Information => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: mtnbob on October 28, 2008, 09:07:01 pm

Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: mtnbob on October 28, 2008, 09:07:01 pm: 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??
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: Vincent Waldon on October 28, 2008, 09:12:34 pm: 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.
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: Dakotakid on October 28, 2008, 09:16:49 pm: 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.
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: mtnbob on October 28, 2008, 09:30:31 pm: 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 :?
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: Quantum TD on October 28, 2008, 11:04:48 pm: Quote from: "Vincent Waldon"
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.
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: jtanguay on October 28, 2008, 11:10:16 pm: Quote from: "Dakotakid"
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. :(
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: mtnbob on October 29, 2008, 04:39:36 pm: 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.
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: Possum79 on October 29, 2008, 09:29:10 pm: 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=16607

Check that out to consider that too. I got a pick n pull 10$ part vs new 130$.
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: mtnbob on October 29, 2008, 10:57:51 pm: 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:
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: jtanguay on October 30, 2008, 09:06:53 am: 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.
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: shegel on October 30, 2008, 10:01:36 am: booster

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=A1C&MfrPartNumber=535730

master cylinder

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=A1C&MfrPartNumber=112206&PartType=230&PTSet=A

dunno if the links will work
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: Possum79 on October 30, 2008, 10:02:58 am: Yea like JT said its in the rear on the driver side. Mine was a thing that looked like this:
http://www.germanautoparts.com/Volkswagen/Rabbit/Brake/235/2

Going through a junk yard I noticed different ones on newer vehicles. Same basic idea of all the lines going in then out.
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: jtanguay on October 30, 2008, 11:43:58 am: i like these guys' prices!

http://www.germanautoparts.com/Volkswagen/Jetta/Brake/235/2

too bad its in the states... why did the dollar have to drop so fast!!! :evil:
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: Dakotakid on November 05, 2008, 06:01:53 pm: What's the verdict, Bob????
The suspense is a-killin' me!!!!
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: Smokey Eddy on November 05, 2008, 06:30:11 pm: Quote from: "jtanguay"
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.
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: jtanguay on November 06, 2008, 07:11:59 pm: man i really www.wishtherewascheapparts.com (http://www.apoke.com/) !!!! :lol:
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: Possum79 on November 07, 2008, 08:45:44 am: I knew what that would do but I had to see for myself! :P
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: Quantum TD on November 07, 2008, 10:25:16 am: Quote from: "jtanguay"
man i really www.wishtherewascheapparts.com (http://www.apoke.com/) !!!! :lol:

Thanks dickhead.
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: jtanguay on November 07, 2008, 10:48:00 am: Quote from: "Quantum TD"
Quote from: "jtanguay"
man i really www.wishtherewascheapparts.com (http://www.apoke.com/) !!!! :lol:

Thanks dickhead.

np :wink: :lol: spread the love
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: mtnbob on November 09, 2008, 12:07:11 am: Sorry had to keep adding fluid until tomorrow or Monday. I've been swamped :shock:
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: jtanguay on November 09, 2008, 04:17:30 am: Quote from: "mtnbob"
Sorry had to keep adding fluid until tomorrow or Monday. I've been swamped :shock:

just remember that the brake fluid is going somewhere... and it will eat right through pavement :shock: :lol: although not as bad as gasoline
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: Dakotakid on November 09, 2008, 08:50:43 pm: I think Vince is right. Sounds like futures in brake fluid may be on the up-slope!!!!
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: jtanguay on November 09, 2008, 09:07:19 pm: Quote from: "Dakotakid"
I think Vince is right. Sounds like futures in brake fluid may be on the up-slope!!!!

buy now!!! :lol:
Title: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
Post by: dieselweasel on November 10, 2008, 10:47:02 pm: Quote from: "Quantum TD"
Quote from: "jtanguay"
man i really www.wishtherewascheapparts.com (http://www.apoke.com/) !!!! :lol:

Thanks dickhead.

I second that!!