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    carriewebb's Avatar
    carriewebb Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jun 16, 2007, 07:02 PM
    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
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #2

    Jun 16, 2007, 07:10 PM
    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?
    TxGreaseMonkey's Avatar
    TxGreaseMonkey Posts: 16,761, Reputation: 5597
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    #3

    Jun 16, 2007, 07:12 PM
    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:

    https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post219991
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #4

    Jun 16, 2007, 07:54 PM
    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.
    korn6958's Avatar
    korn6958 Posts: 23, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Jul 5, 2007, 07:29 PM
    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
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #6

    Jul 5, 2007, 07:59 PM
    Maybe replace rubber brake lines? You would need to bleed brakes afterward.
    labman's Avatar
    labman Posts: 10,580, Reputation: 551
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    #7

    Jul 5, 2007, 08:17 PM
    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.
    knucklebuster's Avatar
    knucklebuster Posts: 8, Reputation: 0
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    #8

    Jul 6, 2007, 01:17 AM
    Make sure that you replace both sides at the same time and not just the one that is damp.
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