Brake fluid question

Dawn · 14th January 2018, 14:21

On top of everything else, Bones has no brake fluid in the reservoir!!! Is it just ordinary DOT4? Thanks.

This car has seriously come to try my patience!

slovcan · 14th January 2018, 15:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawn

On top of everything else, Bones has no brake fluid in the reservoir!!! Is it just ordinary DOT4? Thanks.

This car has seriously come to try my patience!

DOT 4 is my choice for everything - even if DOT 3 is specified. Avoid DOT 5 like the plague. There might a DOT 5.5 that is safe for our braking systems, but why risk getting a DOT 5 silicone by mistake when DOT 4 is the best anyone will ever need?

That said, you must find out where the old fluid went. The level goes down with brake pad wear, but it shouldn't empty the reservoir.

Cheers,
Glenn

ratchet · 14th January 2018, 15:28

Does it have a Manual Gearbox ?

MGjim · 14th January 2018, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratchet

Does it have a Manual Gearbox ?

Confused....why would you ask that?
But seriously, you must have a leak if you've run out of brake fluid, is it just low because of pad wear? How does the pedal feel, if there is a lot of free travel, could be a leak on one circuit.

bl52krz · 14th January 2018, 16:16

Is there any brake fluid under the car? Can you smell any brake fluid? You have just had some work carried out on your car. Why not phone Dave and ask if he has any ideas .

MSS · 14th January 2018, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawn

On top of everything else, Bones has no brake fluid in the reservoir!!! Is it just ordinary DOT4? Thanks.

This car has seriously come to try my patience!

Yes - ordinary Dot4.

Dawn · 14th January 2018, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by bl52krz

Is there any brake fluid under the car? Can you smell any brake fluid? You have just had some work carried out on your car. Why not phone Dave and ask if he has any ideas .

Its not the one Dave fixed, its Bones, the white 1.8 and she's auto. I can honestly say I haven't checked the brake fluid in ages. My own fault!

I *suspect* there is a weep on the front to rear pipes, but its hard as they're covered in waxoyl! I will fill up the reservoir and check it again, but it honestly isn't going to be going far as the engine seems to have issues *again*

DOT4 it is, thanks

bl52krz · 14th January 2018, 18:59

Hi Dawn. To find where it is get some kitchen roll and if you can just touch the pipes where you think it is leaking with it, you will see the stain from the fluid. Also you may be able to see where the pipes are damp from the leak. The waxoyle should not be wet now if it was done a while ago, so won’t come off on the paper. Hope this helps.

dave lincs · 14th January 2018, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawn

Its not the one Dave fixed, its Bones, the white 1.8 and she's auto. I can honestly say I haven't checked the brake fluid in ages. My own fault!

I *suspect* there is a weep on the front to rear pipes, but its hard as they're covered in waxoyl! I will fill up the reservoir and check it again, but it honestly isn't going to be going far as the engine seems to have issues *again*

DOT4 it is, thanks

Glad it is not that flying v6 of your as it needs good brakes for the way it goes now

SCP440 · 14th January 2018, 19:22

It could be a kn4ckered master cylinder, the servo will suck the fluid and then the engine will burn it off.

Easy to check, pull the vacuum pipe off the servo and see if there is any oil in there.

14th January 2018, 14:21	#1
Dawn I really should get out more....... MG ZT 180+ auto Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ilkeston, Derbys Posts: 2,743 Thanks: 285 Thanked 1,128 Times in 504 Posts	Brake fluid question On top of everything else, Bones has no brake fluid in the reservoir!!! Is it just ordinary DOT4? Thanks. This car has seriously come to try my patience!

14th January 2018, 16:16	#5
bl52krz This is my second home Rover 75 cdt club + Rover 2.5 KV6 Conni SE Join Date: May 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 11,387 Thanks: 6,587 Thanked 2,262 Times in 1,729 Posts	Is there any brake fluid under the car? Can you smell any brake fluid? You have just had some work carried out on your car. Why not phone Dave and ask if he has any ideas . __________________ Great Barr, Birmingham.

14th January 2018, 18:59	#8
bl52krz This is my second home Rover 75 cdt club + Rover 2.5 KV6 Conni SE Join Date: May 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 11,387 Thanks: 6,587 Thanked 2,262 Times in 1,729 Posts	Hi Dawn. To find where it is get some kitchen roll and if you can just touch the pipes where you think it is leaking with it, you will see the stain from the fluid. Also you may be able to see where the pipes are damp from the leak. The waxoyle should not be wet now if it was done a while ago, so won’t come off on the paper. Hope this helps. __________________ Great Barr, Birmingham.

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14th January 2018, 15:28	#3
ratchet Posted a thing or two ZT-T + CTDI Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Gone walkabout Posts: 1,185 Thanks: 179 Thanked 361 Times in 289 Posts	Does it have a Manual Gearbox ?

14th January 2018, 19:22	#10
SCP440 I really should get out more....... MG ZT-T 260 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Witney Posts: 2,504 Thanks: 6 Thanked 910 Times in 571 Posts	It could be a kn4ckered master cylinder, the servo will suck the fluid and then the engine will burn it off. Easy to check, pull the vacuum pipe off the servo and see if there is any oil in there.