Question
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Jun 16, 2007, 06:02 PM
| | New Member  | | Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 3
| | | Brake fluid leak- is it the master cylinder?
First, my Honda Accord is a 1987 and has seen about 300,000 miles. It is slowly leaking break fluid, because about every two weeks the brake light comes on and I have to put in more fluid. I have looked at it, and the front right caliper is damp with brake fluid so I am replacing that caliper. I am just not sure if the master cylinder is a problem as well because it is so old I think the rubber parts might be disentigrating. Can I take it out and check it? How do I do this, or is there a way to see if it is fine without taking it out? I want to know if it will give out without warning one day, or if I will slowly lose the pressure. It scares me to drive around with possible brake failure.
Thanks
Carrie
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Answers
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Jun 16, 2007, 06:10 PM
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#2
| | Ultra Member
Join Date: May 2007 Location: Florida Keys
Posts: 3,914
| If your brake pedal slowly creeps to floor, Replacement recommended.
Fluid goes down for 1 of 2 reasons, Pad and shoes wearing down, or a leak.
Look(or feel) under master cylinder for leaked fluid. Wipe off, you may have spilled some?
Then look at wheel breke cylinders. most likely spots. Line can be defective but less requent? |
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Jun 16, 2007, 06:12 PM
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#3
| | | Cars & Trucks Expert
Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Undisclosed, Republic of Texas
Posts: 4,766
| Carrie, what I would do is replace the front right caliper (remanufactured) and then have all of the brake fluid changed. This should be done every 24,000 miles or 24 months, whichever comes first. This is very important to do, from a brake safety and preventive maintenance standpoint. It would not be easy for you to replace the master cylinder. Here are some recommended maintenace tips that might help you: http://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-tr...tml#post219991 | |
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Jun 16, 2007, 06:54 PM
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#4
| | Ultra Member
Join Date: May 2007 Location: Florida Keys
Posts: 3,914
| Sorry, missed you are replacing caliper. good move,
If you can bleed brakes, you may be able to change master cylinder, Call parts store, may be more resonable than you think. Brakes are Serious business. | |
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Jul 5, 2007, 06:29 PM
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#5
| | New Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 23
| Quote: | Originally Posted by carriewebb First, my Honda Accord is a 1987 and has seen about 300,000 miles. It is slowly leaking break fluid, because about every two weeks the brake light comes on and I have to put in more fluid. I have looked at it, and the front right caliper is damp with brake fluid so I am replacing that caliper. I am just not sure if the master cylinder is a problem as well because it is so old I think the rubber parts might be disentigrating. Can I take it out and check it? How do I do this, or is there a way to see if it is fine without taking it out? I want to know if it will give out without warning one day, or if I will slowly lose the pressure. It scares me to drive around with possible brake failure.
Thanks
Carrie |
the hoses on it have problems splitting all the time | |
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Jul 5, 2007, 06:59 PM
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#6
| | Ultra Member
Join Date: May 2007 Location: Florida Keys
Posts: 3,914
| Maybe replace rubber brake lines? You would need to bleed brakes afterward. | |
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Jul 5, 2007, 07:17 PM
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#7
| | Dogs Expert
Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern US
Posts: 10,602
| If the fluid is going down, but you can't find it coming out, pull the vacuum hose off the booster. If it has fluid in it, it is leaking out of the MC and being drawn into the intake. | |
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Jul 6, 2007, 04:17 AM
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#8
| | New Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 8
| Make sure that you replace both sides at the same time and not just the one that is damp. | |
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