Date:         Mon, 8 Dec 2014 14:45:05 -0500
Reply-To:     KIM BRENNAN <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         KIM BRENNAN <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Re: brake fluid lost. Questions.
In-Reply-To:  <CAFnDXk2dNceHjGwYPSB2TmR+HZXsYFc7aO9uENZZ=en9dahB5Q@mail.gmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Also please be aware that, due to the age of our vehicles, it is not impossible that the leak is >NOT< coming from the slave, or master cylinder, but instead from the metal brake lines, which are exposed to corrosion which may be causing them to fail finally. This has happened to both of my 91 vanagons in the last few years. 

> On Dec 8, 2014, at 1:58 PM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Can you confirm that the leak is  brake fluid? Anytime I see a leak under
> somewhere where that liquid does not exist in a Vanagon, I move on to
> either another location or another fluid. It is possible that brake fluid
> could end up on the right side of the transmission by flowing down
> something else, but you probably would see multiple messes across the car
> in that case.
> 
> Jim
> 
> On Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 12:54 PM, T Collins <tonycollin@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> My location could be better. I see the  slave cylinder attachment point to
>> the left side (and Above) of the transmissions top. The leak I see on the
>> ground is on the right (passenger side) or other side of the area for the
>> slave cylinder is located. I haven't been able to look further up yet
>> 
>> I was able to look for the brake slave cylinders, but did not see any leaks
>> there.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 1:46 PM, Larry Alofs <lalofs@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> If by "to the back of the vehicle" you mean near the back wheel, you need
>>> to pull off a brake drum and look at the wheel cylinder.
>>>  The clutch slave cylinder is near where the engine joins the
>>> transmission.  Is there evidence of leakage there?
>>> 
>>> DOT 3 is fine.
>>> 
>>> Larry A.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 11:21 AM, T Collins <tonycollin@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Hello list,
>>>> 
>>>> I have been loosing a considerable amount of brake fluid. I have found
>>>> some
>>>> in the cabin in the form of moisture around the pedals and rubber floor
>>>> mat
>>>> that appears oily and humid. This was only noticed upon refilling of the
>>>> reservoir and the drop of temperature to the freezing point.
>>>> 
>>>> Before that, no apparent loss was noted in the cabin, *however to the
>> back
>>>> of the vehicle  and on the passenger side there was a considerable
>>>> drip/puddle*
>>>> 
>>>> *This is where I think most of it is going!*
>>>> 
>>>> I think these point to both the master and slave cylinders being toast.
>>>> now
>>>> some questions
>>>> 
>>>> 1) I have been using dot 3 brake fluid, Should I use dot 4?
>>>> 2) are these mixable?
>>>> 3) should there be a clamp on the hose connected to the top right of the
>>>> master cylinder reservoir bottle?
>>>> 4) should said hose look like the old fashion VW cloth braided hoses?
>>>> 
>>>> Aside from the obvious (get this fix quick) should I be looking at
>>>> anything
>>>> else?
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> T.
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>