imi Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Hey all Just got back home safely. Got the brake fluid changed 2 weeks ago to 5.1 Today on my way back home, the brake warning light came on and the pedal went all soft. I parked the car up, lifted the bonnet and the brake fluid level was low. Strange as I just got the fluid changed a couple of weeks back. Anyway, got myself 0.5l of brake fluid from a shell garage, toped it up (300ml) however the pedal is still soft despite a lot of pumping and the light will not go off. I managed to creep back home. What should I be looking at? What could it be? Could it just be air or something more sinister? many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 If you got it changed, Id assume the res was full. You might have a leak somewhere. Second, the pedal might be soft because theres air in the system. Who changed the fluid? Id say take it back to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 If it was fine for a couple of weeks and has now suddenly dropped then it must be a leak somewhere along the line. Either that or it wasn't bled properly last time it was changed... Do you know if they did the master cylinder and ABS unit bleed after the swap? Check along all the brakes lines for a sign of a leak, especially the lines from the caliper to the hard pipes. If you are not 100% confident to check things yourself it's advisable to get it to your garage again and let them sort it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted March 6, 2009 Author Share Posted March 6, 2009 yes, it was fine for a couple of weeks, i've done 300 miles since the service. not sure whether they bled the master cylinder and ABS unit - although they did bleed each of the calipers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 I would check for hairline cracks around the bleed nipple, they get overtightened and it causes a hairline crack in the casting although this is manily j spec brakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 The rear hard brake lines can be a problem, maybe worth a check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 topped it up with brake fluid yesterday and the brakes have been functioning again (albeit pedal travel is not consistent - perhaps air in the system). Just got back home and the brake light went on again, seems like the fluid is low again. seems like a leak in the system perhaps. will take it to the monkey tomorrow.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 Thats almost certainly a leak rather than a bleed issue Imi, as has been mentioned before check the usual spots. Although any half competent garage should be able to find fault I'd personally recommend you get it to a specialist to look at. AFR? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminator Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 If you managed to fit half a litre of fluid in the master cylinder, you have a major problem and will now have air all over the system. You must be really careful if you drive it anywhere, which you shouldn't, you could cause an accident. If on investigation it was found that you knew there was a problem with the brakes, you would be stuffed royally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 My problem was bleeding and sorted ASAP. This defo sounds like a leak to me mate..... H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 Took that car to the mechanic this afternoon. No signs of leaks under the car, from the calipers, etc. Nothing in the engine bay either. A quick unbolt of the "servo" (silver metal bit under the brake fluid reservoir) and he said that the master cylinder i leaking and needs changing. Does that sound about right (appreciate that advice is based on my description alone)? Is it possible to recondition the existing cylinder or does it just make sense to go for a new one? If so, then approx idea as for costs for a new brake master cylinder, if anyone knows that specific parts that I need to change it then please post or PM me. times like these I really do miss Pheonix. Mark gave me his email addy but sadly I have misplaced it. If anyone has that handy, could you kindly PM it to me so I can send him a quick hello. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted March 8, 2009 Author Share Posted March 8, 2009 Anyone? been searching on the forum and there is mention of different master cylinders on offer from toyota. does anyone have the part number of the different versions? I have UK brakes all round with ABS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MA70 Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 Hi Imi, I had the master cylinder on my Manta leak. This car had a dual circuit break system so if one failed you still have some breaks. The master cylinder was effectivly two pistons, on behind the other, and the seals on one of them started to leak. As the seal only leaked slightly, when I stamped on the breaks they initially felt firm and worked ok. However if I kept the presure on, the pedel slowly sank as the fluid leaked past the bad seal. Had to keep pumping....... ! It was the rear seal that failed so the fluid was leaking into the foot well and being absorbed by the sound insulation. As I recall the refurb kit (new seals) didn’t cost much. A lot less than the master cylinder. This will be fine if the cylinder bore is smooth and free from corrosion. If your not confident to check this take advise from a specialist. Air in the system will feel spongy as you press the pedal, then feel harder as the pressure rises. You may have air as well as a leaking master cylinder, if the fluid level fell to far. One things for certain, if you're losing fluid, it's going somewhere. When you find where its going you will have the answer. Good luck Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Need4Speed Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 If you've got fluid disappearing from the master cylinder there is ONLY one cause... it's leaking out. Check every brake line, but particulary the pipe joints. The most likely place for the leak to be is at the calipers or bleed nipples. Any sign of any fluid at all will be a leak. The Supra (with ABS) is not a difficult brake system to bleed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share Posted March 9, 2009 If you've got fluid disappearing from the master cylinder there is ONLY one cause... it's leaking out. Check every brake line, but particulary the pipe joints. The most likely place for the leak to be is at the calipers or bleed nipples. Any sign of any fluid at all will be a leak. The Supra (with ABS) is not a difficult brake system to bleed. did all that, no physical viewable leaks from any of the places you mentioned when the car was on the ramp. mechanic points towards the master cylinder (even though we cannot see any signs of leaks there either) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Need4Speed Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Sorry, I missed the bit in the post about the master cylinder leaking You can put new seals in a master cylinder if a) you can get them and b) if the bore of the master cylinder is not scored. If you're not a competent mechanic, replacing the master cylinder would be the easiest solution. There should never be any loss of fluid anywhere in a correctly functioning brake system. Toyota dealer is the best place to get them and if you replace the master cylinder, get the correct one for the car - it's well up to the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted March 10, 2009 Author Share Posted March 10, 2009 Do the cylinders from the facelift supra fit the pre-face ones? or due to the 4 channel ABS and linear braking - fitment could be an issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandan Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Your Totota dealer should be able to tell you which one you need if you give him your car details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted March 11, 2009 Author Share Posted March 11, 2009 Looks like I need a new Master Cylinder Does anyone have the part number handy? Talk on this forum about a version with a bigger piston - if you have the part number of that then that would be appreciated too. imi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Need4Speed Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Toyota will be able to supply the correct one if you tell them the chassis number. I ran my TT at Silverstone, Goodwood and the Nurburgring with a standard master cylinder and UK discs/calipers and it was easily up to the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 Got a replacement master cylinder from Mike today, took it to the mechanic and he changed the brake master cylinder however no joy. Looks like the servo is full of fluid and cannot be drained.....so a long job required to switch the servo too. I was hoping that by draining the servo we'd be able to get the required compression..... Love the car to bits....getting to a stage where I dont have the time to dedicate to it anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted March 15, 2009 Author Share Posted March 15, 2009 Can the fluid be sucked out of the servo and re-used or is the only option to replace the servo too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 How long should it take to replace the brake booster? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 Thanks for all the responses. Car is now back on the road and feeling great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Good stuff, does that mean it's all solved? What was the final cause? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.