Date: Mon, 26 May 2003 11:05:31 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: master cylinder, where is it
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
Brian, the brake and clutch fluid reservoir are the same tank. It is
located directly in from of the driver, behind the instruments. You
access it by removing the instrument pod cover. When seated in the
driver seat, reach forward with both hands to the back (towards the
front of the van) of the cover and you will feel two detents - one right
and one left. Pull towards you and lift up at the same time. Should pop
right off. Remove the wiring connector that goes to the float switch
then unscrew the float/tank cap carefully. If needed you can add fluid
there.
The tank is clear (almost) plastic and if you look close you will see
little arrows on the side that will indicate the upper and lower fill
limits. The book says use DOT 4 brake fluid. I stick by that. Get mine
from NAPA in a one liter plastic bottle.
When filling, I recommend you get a turkey basting syringe and a piece
of clear plastic tubing. Fit the tubing on the end og the syringe, suck
up some fluid and put the end of the tube in the reservoir, then
squeeze. Much less muss and fuss. No spillage down into the inner works
behind the dash, where conceivably brake fluid could casue a problem.
The brake master cylinder is directly under the fluid tank. They are
attached together and if you ever have to change out the master cylinder
you will pull the tank as well. Because the tanks serves both brakes and
clutch systems, you will need that turkey baster to change and bleed
both systems, so you might as well get that turkey baster so you can
suck the fluid out of the tank before doing the job.Otherwise ---- one
big mess!!!
The clutch master cylinder is down by the floor next to the steering
colum, and the hose that feeds ti with fluid connects on the upper right
side of the brake/clutch fluid tank. To change the clutch master you do
not have to remove the hose from the fluid tank, but you will need to
disconnect it from the clutch master down at the flour. This is where
the vise grips come in handy to pinch the hose shut and cut off the fluid.
The brake master will take a little while to change, but it is straight
forward, and an easy "DO". Bleeding the brakes is simple as well if you
have a helper. I found it totally unnecessary to use a MightyVac or
anything like that to bleed the brakes, though many do. Like I said,
with a helper is is an easy "Do".
Should you change out the clutch master (assuming a manual tranny) there
is a copper washer on the thing that you want to be absolutely certain
of not losing, because it will leak big time if you lose it, and they do
not come with the new replacement unit. If you are careful not to lose
to much fluid when changing the clutch master, you can get by with
pumping the clutch pedal between 25 and 50 times to gert it to bleed air
from the hose. from the tank to the master cylinder. Easy done.
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
brian Honan wrote:
> Happy Memorial day list,
>
>
> I hope most of the country is not getting rain and picnicking in there
> Vanagons today. I am a list
>
> member with more questions than comments however you never seem to mind a
> question. The
>
> Bentley seem to give no location of where the master cylinder is( 87
> gl) ,my
> brakes are getting mushy I
>
> hope it is just low on fluid. I am also wondering how long should Bosh
> spark
> plugs last I seem to have a
>
> little less power and fuel economy they were last changed about 11 K m
> ago.
>
> Thanks!
>
>
> Brian Honan
> Pittsburgh Pa
>
> 87 Vanagon gl
> 88 Fox Wagon
>
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