Mystery Brake Fluid loss

[stefan]

So ive slowly been loosing brake fluid. I have to top it off every few weeks. This morning i had zero brake pedal, it went to the floor. The rear half of the master cylinder was empty.... but i cant find any leaks? :?:

[phantorn]

Leaking into the booster mayber?Seperate the master cylinder from the booster and look for evidence of a leak.

[clev]

Hi Stef. You and I both know, if the fluid is gone, it went somewhere. I doubt it went into the booster but it could have. Have you checked the wheel cylinders? As far as no pedal, I had that problem on my E-150 and finally realized that the Master Cylinder had an 'adjustable post' that would screw out to increase pedal, and screw in to reduce it. You probably know all of this, but sometimes it helps to restate the obvious.

[jglutz]

Hi Stef. You and I both know, if the fluid is gone, it went somewhere. I doubt it went into the booster but it could have. Have you checked the wheel cylinders? As far as no pedal, I had that problem on my E-150 and finally realized that the Master Cylinder had an 'adjustable post' that would screw out to increase pedal, and screw in to reduce it. You probably know all of this, but sometimes it helps to restate the obvious.

Dude.....has nothing to do with the loss of fluid...think about it..he's loosing fluid and your working on the brake pedal side of the system.

Stefan...thanks for the radio...you're going to have to pull all the wheels and check all the cylinders and check inside the the master also as mention^^

Don't forget as the pads wear...the level goes down...any soft pads on the car....also....every few weeks...that stinks...thats less than a drop per day.

Do ou have the ford manuals? they have a pretty good sympton/diagnostic sections for what your describing.....Jim D....where are you!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!............................ ..........................

[kzbill]

I agree with checking the rear of the master it is what was out of fluid and it is by the booster and if it isn't at the wheels the only other place to escape is the back of the master.
and yes fluid does go down with brake wear, but you usually don't lose your brakes if he has been topping it off.
Internal master cyl leaks will make the pedal go to the floor.

[jglutz]

I agree with checking the rear of the master it is what was out of fluid and it is by the booster and if it isn't at the wheels the only other place to escape is the back of the master.
and yes fluid does go down with brake wear, but you usually don't lose your brakes if he has been topping it off.
Internal master cyl leaks will make the pedal go to the floor.

Thank you...perfect addition

[FB71]

right here Joe

sounds like others already offered good suggestions.

Check all 4 wheels (calipers and cylinders), then pull the MC off of the booster, and look for fluid in the booster.

[Damkid]

My 300ZX looses all brake fluid with cold weather and no signs of leaks... after looking again i'm positive it's the seal at the back of the master cylinder is whats causing the leaks... you may have the same problem

[stefan]

hummm.. thanks for all the input. Ive got it in the air and the wheels are off but i cant really find an obvious leak. Of course its hard to tell cause everything is damp from winter weather driving.

[25Horseplay]

My car was mysteriously low on brake fluid today. The brakes are fine, just the light came on and when I checked it was low. Going to have to keep an eye on it.

[quaddawg]

lol... Me too.. the red one.. mysteriously low.. had to add. I am almost POSITIVE mine is going into the booster. Have had that happen on other vehicles in the past..

[Damkid]

in the past year i`ve had 2 Master cylinders go bad on me in my festiva

[worfdog]

sometimes you can pull the vac. hose loose from the brake booster and see if it is oily on the inside.if it is, it would indicate a leaking master cylinder.the leaking fluid sometimes get sucked into the engine this way.

[jglutz]

^^nice

[stefan]

the booster vac hose dosent look overly oily but it isnt dry.

One thing that i really noticed is i removed the VAF (needed room to do something else) and soon as i took the air hose off i noticed this nasty smell.. cant really explain it, its not oil or gas or anything, but inside the air hose smelt terrible! and it wasn't like that before.