« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2

Author Topic: Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?  (Read 16287 times)

October 28, 2008, 09:07:01 pm

mtnbob

  • Veteran
  • Offline
  • ***
  • 738
Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
« 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??
Logged
86 VW Golf 1.6 N/A 4-door (soon to be turboed!!!)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2598033828_d3d19f9842.jpg?v=0
96 Subaru Outback Wagon
Reply #1October 28, 2008, 09:12:34 pm

Vincent Waldon

  • Global Moderator
  • Veteran
  • Offline
  • ***
  • 3255
    • My collection of HOWTOs
Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
« Reply #1 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.
Logged
Vince

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
2001 silver TDI Jetta Malone Stage 1.5 , 2001 blue TDI Jetta SBIII 216s Malone Stage 3, 1970 Bay Window bus

Gone but not forgotten: 1969/1971 Beetles, 1969/1974 Westies, 1979 Rabbit, 1986 TD Jetta, 1992 gas Jetta, 1994 TD Jetta
Reply #2October 28, 2008, 09:16:49 pm

Dakotakid

  • Veteran
  • Offline
  • ***
  • 1240
Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
« Reply #2 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.
Logged
The mask and the shot(s) are actually an IQ test. If you are wearing or circulating, you just failed the test. I can't feel sorry for you.
Reply #3October 28, 2008, 09:30:31 pm

mtnbob

  • Veteran
  • Offline
  • ***
  • 738
Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
« Reply #3 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 :?
Logged
86 VW Golf 1.6 N/A 4-door (soon to be turboed!!!)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2598033828_d3d19f9842.jpg?v=0
96 Subaru Outback Wagon
Reply #4October 28, 2008, 11:04:48 pm

Quantum TD

  • Veteran
  • Offline
  • ***
  • 1195
Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
« Reply #4 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.
Logged
Reply #5October 28, 2008, 11:10:16 pm

jtanguay

  • Veteran
  • Offline
  • ***
  • 6879
Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
« Reply #5 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.   :(
Logged


This is how we deal with porn spammers! You've been warned.
Reply #6October 29, 2008, 04:39:36 pm

mtnbob

  • Veteran
  • Offline
  • ***
  • 738
Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
« Reply #6 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.
Logged
86 VW Golf 1.6 N/A 4-door (soon to be turboed!!!)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2598033828_d3d19f9842.jpg?v=0
96 Subaru Outback Wagon
Reply #7October 29, 2008, 09:29:10 pm

Possum79

  • Veteran
  • Offline
  • ***
  • 276
    • http://www.poscarclub.com
Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
« Reply #7 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$.
Logged
1979 VW Rabbit Diesel L
My car may be ugly but im addicted to it.
Reply #8October 29, 2008, 10:57:51 pm

mtnbob

  • Veteran
  • Offline
  • ***
  • 738
Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
« Reply #8 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:
Logged
86 VW Golf 1.6 N/A 4-door (soon to be turboed!!!)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2598033828_d3d19f9842.jpg?v=0
96 Subaru Outback Wagon
Reply #9October 30, 2008, 09:06:53 am

jtanguay

  • Veteran
  • Offline
  • ***
  • 6879
Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
« Reply #9 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.
Logged


This is how we deal with porn spammers! You've been warned.
Reply #10October 30, 2008, 10:01:36 am

shegel

  • Veteran
  • Offline
  • ***
  • 312
Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
« Reply #10 on: October 30, 2008, 10:01:36 am »
Logged
1986 Golf 1.6l non turbo (R.I.P.)
1999.5 jetta (bought with 122145)
1969 karmann ghia(diesel swap dream)(most likely going to be subaru powered)
1998 jetta tdi (parents car)
Reply #11October 30, 2008, 10:02:58 am

Possum79

  • Veteran
  • Offline
  • ***
  • 276
    • http://www.poscarclub.com
Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
« Reply #11 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.
Logged
1979 VW Rabbit Diesel L
My car may be ugly but im addicted to it.
Reply #12October 30, 2008, 11:43:58 am

jtanguay

  • Veteran
  • Offline
  • ***
  • 6879
Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
« Reply #12 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:
Logged


This is how we deal with porn spammers! You've been warned.
Reply #13November 05, 2008, 06:01:53 pm

Dakotakid

  • Veteran
  • Offline
  • ***
  • 1240
Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
« Reply #13 on: November 05, 2008, 06:01:53 pm »
What's the verdict, Bob????
The suspense is a-killin' me!!!!
Logged
The mask and the shot(s) are actually an IQ test. If you are wearing or circulating, you just failed the test. I can't feel sorry for you.
Reply #14November 05, 2008, 06:30:11 pm

Smokey Eddy

  • Veteran
  • Offline
  • ***
  • 3468
    • McScrubbins Body Wash
Losing brake fluid, any suggestions?
« Reply #14 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.
Logged
Ed
Blacked out mk2 AAZ Jetta RIP. You are missed.
White 1999.5 ALH Golf 2dr. Low & wide. Rammed off the road RIP.
Blue 2009 CR140 Jetta CBEA/CJAA. Malone stage 2. EGR/DPF/Exhaust-valve deletes. 2.5" open exhaust. ADP Turbo swap. 1-stage nitrous kit. THROWN ROD
Pages: [1] 2
« previous next »