Garth S

As hibernation is nearly over, connected battery and fired up the '80 after oiling the mains .... immediately greeted by a flashing red alarm - Brake Fluid!!

S/D engine and found reservoir to be nearly dry ... and an even dark hue to a cardboard sheet under the engine bay: filled the reservoir, and have clutch & brakes - and no apparent drips (yet) on a clean sheet of cardboard.

As everything operates as normal, I suspect the infamous "blue hose" .... rather disappointed if that is the case, for I expect more from a length of merely 37 year old rubber elastomer .... sigh!

In another week or so, the remaining snow/slush/mud will disappear and the car can be moved around to the hoist for a better examination .... but what do you foresee/advise?

Is this most likely to be the MC blue fill hose? All looks dry at the base of the reservoir and its hose nipple.

Mrmerlin

I would check the clutch MC for a leak under the dash,
the brake MC for rusty grommets or fluid stains running down the booster,this could mean internal damage and possible a new booster.

and the clutch flex line and slave for leaks.
Note the Greg Brown flex line is the best upgrade for the clutch Hydraulic system.
NOTE when you replace the brake MC use Dow Corning 111 on the port inlets where the grommets seat and the booster mating surface,
this will keep water from corroding the MC inlet bores and the rubbers will stay soft.
Use a new Black hose to the clutch MC it was blue,
and use ATE gold fluid

hacker-pschorr

Does he make one for the early cars?

Mrmerlin

I would call and ask,
I am not sure exactly what years his product will fit or the differences.
I have installed these lines on an 82 and 84, 86 and 88, 89 no issues

Garth S

Thx for the suggestions Stan - first things I had checked were the clutch MC rod under the steering column, the cross line to the slave cyl, and pulled the inspection plug on the lower bell housing under the slave rod to swab the inside with a tissue - all were dry.

So then I went for the 'simple' fix - the blue fill hose ..... to rationalize the fluid loss.

Read your notes, removed the air cleaner housing to get a mirror, light, and hand under the brake booster, as there was some paint absent from the booster underneath the brake MC connection: hand came up with some brake fluid on the bottom of the booster.

It does appear that I will be searching for a new brake master cylinder.

Brake pedal is firm, and transmission/clutch shows full disengagement & smooth release. Trust this to indicate all is well with the clutch system - and the booster is holding vacuum .... so the brake MC appears to be the leaker.

the flyin' scotsman

hi Garth.........I too swapped the OEM clutch flex line for a GB superior hose, new slave and master and 'blue' line when my GTS developed the dreaded pedal to the floor 5 years ago.

The system has worked perfect since

hope all is well.

Mrmerlin

make sure to get the DC111 on your grommets to master ,
it will protect your investment,
new MC are about 300.00 a pop
Use ATE fluid