Howd,y

So, a week ago a friend has a drive of my car. "Dude, you seriously need to upgrade your brakes!"
Me: "Nah its just low on fluid mate, she'll be right"

Then today, leave for work "Holy @#$@$@# no brakes" until I press it through the floor...
Pull over, have a look - empty! So I grab some goods, top up with brake fluid, take it out again - sheesh! No brakes (well, barely - if I pump it its better)

Ill bleed it, etc tonight... but this has me stumped (and havnt had time to look into it yet)
Where the heck is the fluid gone!
The only thing I can think of is that its leaking through the rear dum brake cylinders and INTO the drum...
I dont see leaking anywhere, dont smell it, nothing - simply dissapears... I know there is air in the system now, as it got so low its been sucking in air... but what I dont get is where the fluid has gone.

Any similar experiences?
When I pull it all apart to fix ill let you know what I find... but bugger me its got me confused.

Peter

_________________

Click here for the Turbo Conversion Thread!

Check all the unions and pipe conditions, and the rubber hoses.
This is a serious problem and you shouldn't drive the car till its fixed.

All you have to do is support the car on stands or ramps, put some thick soap / gel type stuff on unions and press the brake a few times and then see if there are any bubbles anywhere.

My car is getting new front brake hoses this week, it already had new ones, but they mustn't have been swaged properly because after less than 500km they are leaking.

Thanks Harley - but my issue must be something else.
Safety is always my first concern champ - always.

The issue is this thing dumped a full brake master cylinder worth of fluid and there was not a drop on the ground... thats whats spinning me out! If it was on the ground or unions somewhere (anywhere) I would say "Ok, its leaking there, ill fix it" but this has NO leaks (except some oil leaks from engine)

I am kind of worried when I pull the rear drums apart that they will be full of fluid lol but will know asap.

Peter

_________________

Click here for the Turbo Conversion Thread!

Must be in the booster if you have one.

_________________
Since light travels faster than sound, people appear bright until you hear them speak

No booster in this one... so the 'case of the missing fluid' is strange right! lol

_________________

Click here for the Turbo Conversion Thread!

Its not leaking out the bottom of the master cylinder into the car is it?

I dont 'think' so but will have a better look later. I did think of that and looked at it thinking if it was the carpet would be 'wet' and it wasnt so I left it. I guess a proper look is a good idea.

Pete

_________________

Click here for the Turbo Conversion Thread!

It doesn't always go straight to the carpet, it drips down the back along the firewall where it may be absorbed by something under the carpet.
Not all brake fluids smell either, so it can go unnoticed.

Hopefully thats not it, but you certainly don't appear to be finding much else.

Thanks mate - ill look at that this afternoon - ill find it - that I can guarantee... ill pull the whole system apart if need be lol

Pete

_________________

Click here for the Turbo Conversion Thread!

I had a similar issue but not to that extent.

Mine was leaking into the drum via the rear cylinders as you mentioned in your top post. Was picked up from my mechanic rather than me personally

Yep, my money is on rear cylinders... thing is, they are approx 2000kms old only so new basically.

Dont really care if I have to replace them, ill probably do that anyway. If its that, im happy - its an easy fix.

Did you have to replace the shoes and any other rear brake parts when it was leaking? I am assuming if mine is leaking into the drum so much then the brake fluid would be wrecking other components in there, at least I know the drum will be nicely honed though lol

Pete

_________________

Click here for the Turbo Conversion Thread!

The parts can be reused if there is fluid everywhere.
Give everything a good wash in warm soapy water, make sure its well dry before assembling again and you're good to roll.

I only had my cylinders replaced, mechanic said it was a bit of a mess but they cleaned it all up

Get a can of Brakleen, if the shoes are wet...
My money is on the rear wheel cylinder seals (I've had 2 leak last year).

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I never trust new brake parts. (I actually never trust any new part!) When you fit a new brake part you are fitting something that has not been tested. You are purely relying on the ability of some lowly paid worker in a third world country that is making parts as cheaply as possible.

You are much better off getting new seals and fit them to your existing cylinders as long as the bores are still ok.
If I have to get a new wheel cylinder I always dismantle them and inspect them to make sure they are Ok.