No Brakes?
10-17-2015, 06:06 AM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
No Brakes?
ok so yesterday I started the 944 to take it out and wash it before a big run this weekend and the Brake light was on so I pop the hood and the master cylinder was almost 1/2 empty? so I look under neath topped off the fluid and took it to the mechanics and sure enough it leaked out, it appears to be from the joint between the master and booster, brakes and clutch feel fine so will it be ok to do a 150 mile run this weekend if I keep it full?
10-17-2015, 10:15 AM
#2
Rennlist Member
You could have a couple of issues. You say it's leaking from the joint between the master and booster, can you see/feel fluid there? Most of the brake boosters I've seen have paint damage on the booster below the master cylinder, but it can be from spills while filling, not from leaks.
You could also be losing fluid out of the clutch master cylinder - this is what happened on my car. I would be losing brake fluid but the brakes and clutch still worked just fine. However, when I pulled back the carpet in the driver's side footwell, I could clearly see fluid leaking from the clutch master cylinder. After replacing that, I've had no loss of brake fluid. If this is your issue, it's a good idea to replace the entire clutch hydraulic system - the master, the slave, and the hose. You can re-use the hard line most of the time, but I have seen one car that needed that replaced as well.
In any case, I'm not sure I'd recommend driving a car with a known brake problem on a long drive. Calling it a "run" implies to me that there's going to be some spirited driving going on, too. If your brakes are going to fail, they're going to do it when you're coming into a corner and trying to shed speed - that is, at the worst possible time.
You could also be losing fluid out of the clutch master cylinder - this is what happened on my car. I would be losing brake fluid but the brakes and clutch still worked just fine. However, when I pulled back the carpet in the driver's side footwell, I could clearly see fluid leaking from the clutch master cylinder. After replacing that, I've had no loss of brake fluid. If this is your issue, it's a good idea to replace the entire clutch hydraulic system - the master, the slave, and the hose. You can re-use the hard line most of the time, but I have seen one car that needed that replaced as well.
In any case, I'm not sure I'd recommend driving a car with a known brake problem on a long drive. Calling it a "run" implies to me that there's going to be some spirited driving going on, too. If your brakes are going to fail, they're going to do it when you're coming into a corner and trying to shed speed - that is, at the worst possible time.
