Where has my brake fluid gone?

[dullbird]

Hi Guys

I have brake fluid disappearing... a fair amount too:(

But can not see any leaks under the vehicle its been suggested it can fill up the servo is this possible?

If not where has it gone???

[Hardchina]

Hi Guys

I have brake fluid disappearing... a fair amount too:(

But can not see any leaks under the vehicle its been suggested it can fill up the servo is this possible?

If not where has it gone???

Could be getting sucked into the booster ??

check if there's a drain plug at the bottom. Ive had it happen on the old series. Booster was half full of fluid.

[one_iota]

Hi Lou,

I guess it depends how much and how quickly this has happened.

It could be just that your pads are wearing thin and more fluid is in the pistons. The level in mine has dropped so that the brake light comes on on a steep downhill slope.

Top up the reservoir and see what happens if you haven't already.

[JDNSW]

As above, but also check on the driver's floor - probably under the mat.

John

[PhilipA]

I had a colleague with a D11 who kept topping it up until the engine suddenly stopped( petrol).

Where would it go on a TD5, vacuum pump?? would it stuff it? I think so.
Regards Philip A

[dullbird]

Ok Mahn no its not the pads..:) pads have all been changed and fluid adjusted accordingly.

when I say loosing it we picked up the car from phils just over a week ago it was probably 4mm under the minimum line, topped up then...an Ian has had to top up again today.

Just for the record PhilipA I pointed out to Ian 2 days ago that it looks like the vacc pump is letting go. big leak around it...pretty annoying vacc pump is probably 3 years old:(

[martinozcmax]

Hi Guys

I have brake fluid disappearing... a fair amount too:(

But can not see any leaks under the vehicle its been suggested it can fill up the servo is this possible?

If not where has it gone???

Had a similar problem dullbird. Had to top it up every week. Eventually found a very very small continual leak (a drip occassionally) from the small metal thingymbobbby that sits between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder. It is near the slave cylinder. The brake pipe from the master cylinder goes to it then another small bit of brake pipe comes out and goes to the slave cylinder. Took bloody ages to find it.

Some clever kind person on here told me to remove it and replace it with a flexible bit of brake hose and I did 18 months ago and not a drop leaked since.
Brakes work fine without it.

Hope this helps and you can make sense of my gobbledegook, as you can guess I am not a mechanic by trade. :-)



Regards


Martin

[LandyAndy]

We had this exact issue on Debs Rangie.
Was fine for ages but would all of a sudden drop the fluid.
A new master cylinder did fix the issue for a while.
On the day we sold it it dumped a heap of fluid on the floor as we put it on the hoist,much to my happiness as I had already told the prospective buyer it happens but cant find why,then stops.
After the hoist inspection it was no longer leaking so no answer.
Goodluck finding the issue,we only finally saw evidence as it was there on the floor.No tell tails anywhere else.
I suspect it leaks internally into the booster and finally gets expelled???
Andrew

[I Love My Landy!]

It might be worth getting a hose and hosing around all your brakes and brake lines. When water mixes with brake fluid it goes white, so if you see this occur then brake fluid may be leaking from that area.

Edward :)

[dullbird]

It might be worth getting a hose and hosing around all your brakes and brake lines. When water mixes with brake fluid it goes white, so if you see this occur then brake fluid may be leaking from that area.

Edward :)

its not leaking from my brakes lines because its all perfectly dusty under neith:D..

might be grotty but perfect for picking up leaks as it instantly looks wet when anything is leaking....

I wont rule out my lines of cause however all flexi break lines are only 8 months old and all solid lines were flared again when this was done

[akelly]

Do a taste test on the leak from the vac pump - brake fluid has a very distinctive taste... Just a dab on your finger is usually enough.

My vote is for the servo and from there to the vac pump.

Cheers,

Adam

[muddymech]

hi all
thanks for the replies, have found brake fluid in teh pipe to the vac pump, so am guessing servo or brake master cylinder, is there an easy way to check which one.
im thinking master cylinder, can that be pulled out of the servo by undoing the two bolts holding it in to see if any thing is obvious.
thanks ian