Brake leak

[dthebuk]

So after yesterdays work on the TII it now looks like this

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/9949/img0144dlk.jpg

Sorry, just had to show that off :P


Anyway, Theres pretty much no brake fluid in the system. So i assume its leaked. I couldn't find any trace of said fluid on the drive and i was wondering what is was the best way to find this leak? Should i fill up the system and just follow the brake lines till i find a leak? Or should i fill up the system and have some one pump the brakes whilst im doing this? Also, if a brake line has died, how cheaply can i pick up braided lines, and where can i get them?


Thanks People :D

[L18M]

err.. what have u done to it.. looks the same.. just in 1 piece.. as it should be lol

[Prof]

So after yesterdays work on the TII it now looks like this

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/9949/img0144dlk.jpg

Sorry, just had to show that off :P


Anyway, Theres pretty much no brake fluid in the system. So i assume its leaked. I couldn't find any trace of said fluid on the drive and i was wondering what is was the best way to find this leak? Should i fill up the system and just follow the brake lines till i find a leak? Or should i fill up the system and have some one pump the brakes whilst im doing this? Also, if a brake line has died, how cheaply can i pick up braided lines, and where can i get them?


Thanks People :D

Have someone pump it and see if you can spot the link. It could well be leaking from the calipers themselves - which isn't easy to spot at first or even dripping out of the Master cylinder.

I got my Goodridge lines for about £50-60 for a set of front/back, and if it's the hard piping that's gone - I've got brake flaring gear - you just need the 10mm hose ends and the copper alloy brake pipe which a motor factors will sell you by the meter.

[pdtaylor18]

Look for the tell tale signs of brake fluid on the paintwork. I would also as Prof said look at the master cylinder. I have broken several of these cars now and ALL of them had a leaky master cylinder and all had paintwork that was beginning to corrode. Apart from that then you will have to pressurise the system (hard as you can with the right foot) and see if you can see anything dripping.

If you are keeping the car then a good time to upgrade a few brake items anyway,be well worth it in the end and may eliminate a few of those potential leaky areas.

[dthebuk]

ok, so ive put some more fluid in, pumped it around. At first the level in the master cylinder dropped, but now its not moving at all. Checked the rear calipers and they're fine. Can't see any corroded paint in the engine bay, though the big back disk like thing behind the master cylinder (brake booster?) has some corrosion where the two join, though after pump the pedal for a good while it isn't wet, and there isn't any sign of new fluid around it. I havnt check the fronts properly yet, but i had them off the other day to fit the coilovers and they seemed fine. I'll have another look.

Any other ideas?