Losing brake fluid

[jshodgson]

I topped up my brake fluid 7 months ago (12000 miles) and the warning came on today and it needed another top up. I’ve never owned a car in 25 years that needed its brake fluid topping up regularly. Is there an obvious place to look for a leak? The tank and pipes coming out of it look bone dry.

 

[Deleted member 131833]

Check each wheel for leaks out of calliper, you can usually see a wet patch on the wheel where it drips onto.

Check all connections at flexible pipes from steel lines to calliper

 

[PobodY]

When's the MOT due? Leaking lines are the kind of thing that normally gets spotted and mentioned as an advisory (assuming it's not so bad it fails).

 

[wu56Shoozz]

How does the brake pedal feel?? Spongy??

I was going to suggest that you strip the drivers foot well and look for where the master cylinder comes through the bulkhead to the pedal. You may have to pull back a gator to see if its wet as the master cylinder can sometimes leak in to the foot well through the bulkhead, meaning you need a new master cylinder...

 

[Petrol Pete]

Years ago a mate and myself drove to the Dutch TT in Assen in his ancient VW camper. It was haemorrhaging brake fluid from one of the rear brake cylinders. We had 2 litres of brake fluid with us and I was able to top it up as we drove along because the fluid reservoir was in the cab with us under the dash !

Ahh simpler, happier times (rose tinted spectacles)

 

[jshodgson]

How does the brake pedal feel?? Spongy??

I was going to suggest that you strip the drivers foot well and look for where the master cylinder comes through the bulkhead to the pedal. You may have to pull back a gator to see if its wet as the master cylinder can sometimes leak in to the foot well through the bulkhead, meaning you need a new master cylinder...

The pedal is rock hard as it should be. The brakes don’t feel spongey at all. I’ll check the footwell tomorrow thanks.

 

[wu56Shoozz]

In that case ... have a look around the reservoir for sweating between the bottle and the master cylinder

 

[DSM10000]

How worn are your brake pads?

Worn pads equals more caliper piston extension and lower fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir.

 

[jshodgson]

How worn are your brake pads?

Worn pads equals more caliper piston extension and lower fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir.

Ahhh thanks for the advice. Was going to get my pads checked as I can feel/hear the brakes bind under heavy breaking.

 

[SMS]

it Could be leaking from the rear of master cyl into servo.