Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 11:39:19 -0600
Reply-To: printstud@CSI.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Peter <printstud@CSI.COM>
Subject: Brake fluid leak around master Brake cylinder:
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Brake fluid leak around master Brake cylinder:
Dear Fellow Syncronauts,
I started seeing "wet spots " on the carpet below steering wheel
about 2 months ago, at first I thought it was water, but soon noticed
the spots
were not drying. The brakes were working ok, but could be stiffer. I
usually leave the syncro parked in my garage, but had occassion to leave
it in the sun for several days undriven. Then I found alot more fluid
had leaked down, finding its was to the stepwell at drivers side door,
and
immediatly dissolving the paint inside & out, an auful mess... I figured
the sun & heat must have caused some pressure that forced the leak?
I removed the instrument panel and found the fluid on the MB
cylinder. I had had the MB cylinder replaced 2-3 yrs ago with a 1 yr
warrenteed rebuilt. I couldnt believe it was already gone bad?? But
the
resavoir was near empty.
I cleaned & dried it off and refilled it with fresh fluid, and put a
piece
of paper under it to try & determine where the leak came from?
I let it sit for a WEEK (without driving it) and very little fluid has
come out, only about 3 drops, (but it is parked back in my cool garage).
So far a drop seems to develope on the nut on the bottom of the
cylinder
but could be comming frome above, I suspect the rubber seals to resavoir
which do appear to have a little fluid around them...
Im trying to determine if the leak is the master brake cylinder, in
which case does it need to be replaced? or is it comming from a
connecting line or the rubber connectors above it that "seal" the
resavoir?? In which case the MB cylinder wouldnt need to be replaced,
that wouldnt solve the problem...??
I would like to hear from others who have had a similar problem,
what your experience had been...
Also I if it is the cylinder itself that needs replacing, I wouldnt
buy
another with a one year warrentee. I notice there are two rebuilds out
there at FLAPS with LIFETIME WARRENTEES: one for $85 (DURALAST) and the
other is A-1 Cordon for $100. I figure if they have a lifetime
warrentee I should be in good shape...??!!
Thanks for any thoughts....
Cmdr. Syncronaut Peter Igo
'87 vw vanagon Westy Syncronaut 85K