I was replacing my brakes and rotors. We got them on but I didn't siphon brake fluid from the master cylinder first (I never do this, it's it's usually not an issue) so when I pushed in the caliper cylinder on the last brake the master cylinder top blew on the master cylinder and brake fluid leaked out. My question is, did I do something awful? Will I need a new top for my master cylinder? Will I need to bleed the entire brake system now? Or will I still be fine if I just bleed the brakes that I just replaced (I only replaced the front brakes and rotors)
2007-02-04 04:51:58 · 6 answers · asked by ouch 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Most master cylinder caps are vented so that they will not build up a vacuum as the fluid level goes down. I would say that someone topped off the fluid level sometime along so that when you pushed the caliper back there was not room for all the fluid.
It should not be a problem as long as the cap can still go back on and seal the system. Just close it up then rinse off the brake fluid with some water and you should be fine. You also should not have to bleed the system out as all you did was move fluid around and didn't introduce any air. Typically you never need to top off brake fluid unless you have a leak.
2007-02-04 05:03:03 · answer #1 · answered by Mark D 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
opps. Unlikely the master cylinder is harmed, but the ABS system may be. You should have pinched off the brake lines at the calipers and while pressing the piston in the caliper back, open the bleeder screw to allow the excess fluid out. If the ABS light isn't coming on then everything is probably fine. You shouldn't even need to bleed the brakes.
2007-02-04 13:05:42 · answer #2 · answered by boogie2510 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No harm done, when you get everything together and car back on the ground pump the brakes to get the pads to hit rotors to make sure the car will stop, once that is done open mastercylinder and top it off. That is very common when replacing the front pads. there is no way air could have been introduced into the system.
2007-02-04 13:31:21 · answer #3 · answered by Mona 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the type of master cylinder, if it just popped a press on cap off there should be no harm.
If the reservoir is now damaged somehow, yes one would recommend replacement.
2007-02-04 12:57:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
no you are OK if there was" no open line" bleeder.
for real,that what is suppose to do but over flow. there is not other way out for the fluid.
remind You clean the area in where the excess of fluid felt down.
is very corrosive.
2007-02-04 13:01:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Drain the ENTIRE brake lines,replace the top.No big deal.
2007-02-04 13:00:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋