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Old 14-12-2009, 04:40 PM   #1
Halfmo Rocks
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Default Brake fluid loss

i'm losing brake fluid, noticed it was close to the minimum level about 2 weeks ago - topped it up, and now it is right on minimum again.

i'm just really learning about the cars, tools & stuff, so i don't know much about the brakes, but i am very about keeping an eye on levels of coolant, oil, power steer & brake fluid...it is definately a new development.

i have noticed a rusty looking spot right under the brake fluid reservoir, thinking maybe it's got a leak there somewhere? pics as follows.



As you can see, it is right below the reservoir, and it looks like something has been dripping/running down the side of the engine bay, but that could just be water or something




all help most appreciated

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Old 14-12-2009, 05:31 PM   #2
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That looks like the leak , Brake fluid will strip paint , the only other places to check would be at the calipers on each wheel or in the foot well inside ware it is leaking on the out side .Failing that the only other reason for fluid drop is if your pads are just about shot and the pistons in the calipers are nearly all the way out .
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Old 14-12-2009, 06:03 PM   #3
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thanks for the quick reply whoosha

i knew brake fluid is corrosive & will strip paint...hence my suspicion with the rusty spot, glad to have a second opinion. i'll try and have a good look for the leak after work tomorrow

questions :
1.- if the pads/calipers are on the way out, i assume the braking effectiveness will be down?
no change in the stopping power, hopefully that rules it out
2.- it passed roadworthy only 6 weeks ago, so i figure if they were that bad it would not have passed.
correct me if i'm wrong on either
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Old 14-12-2009, 09:21 PM   #4
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does look like master cylander is kaput , i suspect if you put a heavy pressure on the brake pedal and hold it you will feel the pedal slowly go to the floor, slow leaks dont always affect brakeing power under light loads (until fluid runs out), i would be getting that fixed asap, they probably checked pads and did`nt notice the leak.
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Old 15-12-2009, 06:03 AM   #5
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thanks...i'll try and get it looked at soon
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Old 15-12-2009, 06:56 AM   #6
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If it was road worthied 6 weeks ago, and you can prove it was there at the roadworthy. Then they should fix it for you. Otherwise if it is a new development its just bad timing. I too think its the most likely place for the leak to be. If it is your master cylinder. I would probably get it done professionaly. let us know how it goes
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Old 15-12-2009, 03:37 PM   #7
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i would get it done professionally, i can do my oil filter & spark plugs & all that basic stuff, but i'm not gonna mess around with the brakes - i don;t know much about the brakes

any ideas on the what it might cost me? i'd like to have a vague idea so as not to get shafted for extra $$$
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Old 15-12-2009, 08:57 PM   #8
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looks like master cylinder, they can look okay on tuesday and be dead by wednesday so anything 6 weeks ago is ancient history in car terms, they're worth about $300 or so then about $100 for labour and fluids. Any non-crap mechanic will be able to do this for you.

oh and if you like brakes and stopping and stuff, DO IT NOW Not next week or next month
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Old 16-12-2009, 04:10 PM   #9
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booked in to be fixed saturday, lube mobile quoting $550 or something, being a mobile service on a weekend jacks up the price a bit.
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Old 16-12-2009, 11:36 PM   #10
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it does jack it up a bit , but for luxury of not dropping your car off at mechanic makeing your way home then comeing to pick up your baby its worth the extra bucks i think, the air con bloke came to our home during the week , did a check over the system topped it up, $100 1 hour later all done its a good service.
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Old 19-12-2009, 11:19 AM   #11
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fixed now...it was the master cylinder - $560 bucks later it's all good. more expensive than taking it to a garage...but at least at home i got to sit in front of the tv with my beer while it got fixed
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Old 19-12-2009, 12:15 PM   #12
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Well i'm really glad to hear you got it fixed but i'm unglad you think that's good value, but each to their own, you could be semi-loaded for all i know.
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Old 19-12-2009, 01:06 PM   #13
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nah, not loaded...just lazy...if i was semi loaded i would be rockin a much better car than a basic futura 4 litre
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Old 19-12-2009, 04:36 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam Rocks
fixed now...it was the master cylinder - $560 bucks later it's all good. more expensive than taking it to a garage...but at least at home i got to sit in front of the tv with my beer while it got fixed
Glad it's all sorted.

For $560 though, I'd not have been sitting in front of the TV, but have my head in the engine bay learning as much from the mechanic as I could. LOL!

Each to their own however!

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Old 19-12-2009, 04:47 PM   #15
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bit of both mate...i didn't want to get in his way too much, but i had a bit of a look
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