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:
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; x-mac-type="54455854";
              x-mac-creator="4D4F5353"

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