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TECH TIPS
Bleeding Brakes
this is an excerpt from the articles appearing in the
OCTAGON
also see upkeep and performance hints on our message board at board.mgclub.org
Bleeding Brakes
Q: I bled my brakes. When my wife would press on the brake pedal, and with the bleed screw open only a trickle of fluid would come out. This is with the reservoir full of fluid. All 4 brakes did the same. I remember a stream of fluid when I did this before.
I have taken the car to a mechanic (questionable ability) and he is ordering a new master cylinder. I have asked him where the fluid went. He doesn't know at this point. Sometimes I think that I am better off doing all of this myself. Getting too old to crawl around under cars though.
If the fluid is draining into the booster, how do I get the fluid out of there, or will the brakes push the fluid out when the new master cylinder is installed?
Thanks again Art. Hope all is going well with you. I will let you know how this works out.
Lyle Abel
A: Likely it is the master cylinder, so that's a good move. The lack of flow bleeding may be due to internal bypass in the master (the fluid just sloshing around the pistons because of bad seals instead of generating pressure) or draining out the back seal to the booster.
It could also be a blockage, like at the pressure-cross valve on the firewall under the master. You should check the failure switch for leakage as well as that can drain the system. Still, you would see a puddle somewhere outside the car.
If the oil is in the booster, it will have to be drained. Possibly replaced, as the fluid will destroy its seals. Most times, it is carried off to the engine through the vacuum tube and burned off. Small amounts would not even be seen as smoke.
All needs to be check. At near 35, a car's life is like dog years and some of these components are at 2-3 times their life expectancy.
Good luck and keep me posted.
Art Isaacs
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