Brake fluid reservoir not filling

[itsemilio]

Hi Guys, new here so apologies if I sound silly here. So I purchased a 2018 E class coupe (220d AMG Line) the other day and noticed the brake fluid was just about barely on the min line. I have since tried to fill it and the fluid is just sitting in the compartment where the filter is. Took the fliter out and still wouldn't fill the reservoir. Any ideas guys? I have no lights on and brakes feel fine just wondering why it won't fill up. Called merc but they were useless.

 

[jasonh]

Are you sure it really is at the min line? Decent fresh brake fluid is often almost clear.

 

[Bellow]

A photo of what's going on - or isn't - might help.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Madness

 

[itsemilio]

A photo of what's going on - or isn't - might help.

Good point aha I’ll upload one in a second.

 

[itsemilio]

 

[itsemilio]

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Looks full up to me .

 

[itsemilio]

A photo of what's going on - or isn't - might

 

[itsemilio]

Looks full up to me . View attachment 115112

So what’s with the yellowish liquid at the bottom of the reservoir?

 

[OneForTheRoad]

So what’s with the yellowish liquid at the bottom of the reservoir?

Possibly old dot4 . Did you fill it with dot 5 ?

 

[mioba]

or water

 

[Peter103]

Hi itsemelio welcome to the forum, looks to be full or maybe even above the max.
Dip your finger in,but dont lick it.

 

[Stratman]

Use a tie wrap or similar as a dipstick.

 

[Smiley]

I would agree that does not look right. Given that the car is only three years old it should not need the brake fluid topping up by that amount - I would be more concerned at finding where the leak is. If you have only just bought the car then take it back if it is a dealer purchase or get it on a ramp for a proper look.

 

[itsemilio]

Possibly old dot4 . Did you fill it with d

I would agree that does not look right. Given that the car is only three years old it should not need the brake fluid topping up by that amount - I would be more concerned at finding where the leak is. If you have only just bought the car then take it back if it is a dealer purchase or get it on a ramp for a proper look.

I mean I didn't actually top it up, as soon as poured brake fluid in the top section filled and would not go into the reservoir so the guys above must be right in that it is full right? It is just that it does look empty? Even when I shook the tank you can't see any fluid moving about inside it.

 

[itsemilio]

Looks full up to me . View attachment 115112

But when I was shaking the tank I couldn't see the fluid moving about?

 

[colinallcars]

But when I was shaking the tank I couldn't see the fluid moving about?

Because it’s overfilled?

 

[MrGreedy]

It looks like there is still an inner cup with a hole in, inside the hole for the brake fluid reservoir? Does that come out?

As others have suggested, it might be old fluid in the bottom. The stuff in the bottom looks orange, and the new stuff is almost colourless.

What fluid does the handbook say should be used? DOT 4 or 5, and what did you put in?

I would also consider getting a small, plastic syringe and emptying the reservoir as much as possible, and seeing if you can suck this orange fluid out.

Failing that, an independent Merc specialist will do a brake fluid flush for around the £50-100 mark (complexity depending). Have you had the brake fluid flushed through and refreshed within the past 2 years?

 

[itsemilio]

It looks like there is still an inner cup with a hole in, inside the hole for the brake fluid reservoir? Does that come out?

As others have suggested, it might be old fluid in the bottom. The stuff in the bottom looks orange, and the new stuff is almost colourless.

What fluid does the handbook say should be used? DOT 4 or 5, and what did you put in?

I would also consider getting a small, plastic syringe and emptying the reservoir as much as possible, and seeing if you can suck this orange fluid out.

Failing that, an independent Merc specialist will do a brake fluid flush for around the £50-100 mark (complexity depending). Have you had the brake fluid flushed through and refreshed within the past 2 years?

All good, just had someone I know look at it. It is in fact full as others have pointed out above, it has been overfilled which is annoying.