Have a vehicle (1989-1991 [not too sure of year] Buick Century) that was snowed in my parking lot (NOT ran off the road). After repeated attempts to get the vehicle out (lots of braking, reversing, going forward) I noticed the brake pedal going to the floor. Refilled the Master Cylinder thinking that would improve it. This was on Wednesday, as of friday AM, the brakes are almost nonexistent (without excessive pumping prior to stoppping). What has happened and what are my options (without going to a mechanic)??
2007-02-16 18:48:07 · 12 answers · asked by Keyser S 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Once it was free from the snow I noticed the pedal went all the way down. And my "Brake" light came on. I added 1 container of STP-DOT 3 Brake fluid, this seemed to fix the problem, but I had more snow to deal with, and I wound up in the same situation. All of this happened on Wednesday. Thursday, I used the vehicle very little, but come Friday morning, I had no stop at all when I hit the pedal. Added another container of fluid. Nothing. If I begin to pump the pedal before the spot where I would normally stop, it seems to work OK.
2007-02-16 23:26:40 · update #1
The first time I filled the resevoir, it seemed empty (i.e. when pouring, there was no overflow). On friday, the same thing.
2007-02-16 23:29:02 · update #2
Brake fluid is alcohol-based, for those of you who've suggested to check for 'dripping' fluid, check your source.
2007-02-20 17:49:08 · update #3
Check for leaks :at the break cylinder or at tires break cylinders.
The leaking place needs replacement of rubber parts.
2007-02-23 19:46:37 · answer #1 · answered by h.hamadto 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you don't have any brake fluid in your lines. Your master cylinder is just one part of the system. You have to BLEED your lines! (get the air bubbles out) You need to take the wheels off, and get a cup, and loosen the bleeding nut. Have a friend pump the brakes and hold it in. Fluid will come out and cap it. Perhaps somebody else is better at describing this than me.
2007-02-17 02:51:58 · answer #2 · answered by brent 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If your fluid is still high you probably have a bad master cylinder or you have air in the line. Air compresses, so it doesn't do the job like liquid does. This would require "bleeding" the line, which is pretty tricky.
2007-02-17 02:51:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Pump your brakes while your parked if you see fluid on the ground near your wheels call a mechanic or an auto recycler (they don't care for the term junkyard)
2007-02-17 03:02:44 · answer #4 · answered by crankydad_9999 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Bad master cylinder or ruptured brake line. Get it fixed.
2007-02-17 02:59:05 · answer #5 · answered by liberty11235 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
their could be a few thing wrong, first air in the line, 2th could be a bad wheel cil, are broke line, but i say you need to bleed the line,,if that does not work, look under the car to see if you see a leak any where on the wheels,an lines, now if you still haveing problen, it could be the masture cil, but first bleed the line
2007-02-17 10:14:46 · answer #6 · answered by ghostwalker077 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like you may have a leak in your master cylinder, just get it fixed, it won't cost much.
2007-02-17 02:55:29 · answer #7 · answered by roger a 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
check your brake fluid level. if it is low than it could be that it has a hole in the line some where or air in the line.
2007-02-17 02:56:50 · answer #8 · answered by cudaangelica 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You may have to see a mechanic. That sounds like maybe you have a slight leak in your breaklines, or maybe even air bubbles.
2007-02-17 02:52:52 · answer #9 · answered by Hawkster 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
take it to a mechanic they will find the leak and fix it and bleed your system out. was the reservior empty or just low and how low?
2007-02-17 05:36:29 · answer #10 · answered by vettle1 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋