Yesterday when i got into my car (1991 Buick Park Ave), i heard a "pssssssss" air sound, almost like air was coming out of my tire. it was more in the back of the car, and only lasted maybe 3 -5 seconds. i checked and the tires were fine so i drove off. within a matter of minutes my brake light came on and i had to jam down on the brakes to slow down/stop the car. i popped the hood and there was no brake fluid in the car, so i put a whole bottle in. the brake light went off but came back on ten mins later with the same problems. We had a new master cylinder put in a couple months ago, and had the lines bled before that. there are also new brake pads on the vehicle.
what else could be wrong with the car? and appr. how much would it cost to fix? i cant take it in anywhere till after xmas so im curious as to what to expect.
thanks!
2007-12-22 08:35:04 · 15 answers · asked by .Jules. 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
okay obviously im getting them fixed, so if you take the time to actually read the question then you'll see that im "wondering" what the problem might be.
thanks to all the people that actually put some thought into it and gave me a decent answer.
2007-12-22 08:45:17 · update #1
You obviously have a leak in the system somewhere. One person stated to put brake fluid in the master cylinder and pump the pedal and look for leaks, that's a good idea. A leaking rear wheel cylinder could be leaking and not always show signs of leakage on the ground. If it's the wheel cylinders leaking, then the rear brake shoes will be need to be replaced as well due to contamination. As far as cost, if it's the wheel cylinders, brake shoes, machine rear drums, replace rear hardware, bleed system at a shop with a warranty would run ball park 300.00 parts and labor.
2007-12-22 09:30:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
The 91 Park Ave. uses rear drum brakes. Since you just had the master cylinder replaced (common failure is water and rust in the system) the most likely problem is a leaking wheel cylinder (around $20 in parts)
2007-12-22 09:02:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
You obviously have a fluid leak.
Check under the car and see where it is coming from.
I would guess it is one of the rear brake hoses, judging from your popping sound.
Once you find the leak the repair should be obvious.
2007-12-22 10:19:37 · answer #3 · answered by Bert from Brandon 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You probably have a rusted through brake line which is very common on older cars. It will be obvious to any repair shop when they put the car up on a lift. They need to cut the rusted section of line out and replace it with a new piece of line.
2007-12-22 08:45:36 · answer #4 · answered by bobweb 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like a corroded brake line - snow salt they put on the roads is famous for that. Not very hard to fix - cut out the bad section and put a union in place. Then bleed the system. If you do not know the size then cut out the bad section and carry it to advance auto or somewhere like that - they will hook you up.
2007-12-22 08:45:02 · answer #5 · answered by 3DDD 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Go back to the guy that replaced the master cylinder. He may have failed to pressure test for leaks or he may have used a rebuilt cylinder.A car that age may need a line replaced due to leaking also.
Do not take any chances with it.
2007-12-22 08:44:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Fill it up with fluid and with the car stopped, apply the brakes and see where the puddle forms under the car.
2007-12-22 08:43:36 · answer #7 · answered by jimmymae2000 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It may be the work that you got done, may be under warranty, have some one give you second opinion on the work that was done.
It could be any thing no cost to few hundred Dollars.
Break fluid is leaking out, find the leak and fix it, may just need tightening it.
2007-12-22 08:41:46 · answer #8 · answered by minootoo 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
sounds like a break in the brake line, or in the wheel cylinder.
2007-12-22 08:38:24 · answer #9 · answered by Ruth C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
look under your car at each wheel you will find you have a loose break line or a busted one or a possible bleeder valve left open after bleeding that break you can tighten it up yourself with a 5/16 wrench breakline repair is more difficult to answer on cost
2007-12-22 08:41:07 · answer #10 · answered by bob b 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋