DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Old Leafsprung Land Rovers
HTML https://ollr.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Technical tips & Questions
*****************************************************
#Post#: 31654--------------------------------------------------
How to find a brake fluid leak
DIR By: ProDave
Date: July 20, 2012, 2:01 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Early Series 3 SWB petrol
So the brakes are very basic single circuit without servo
assistance.
Since I got the car, about a month ago, I've been chasing a
brake fluid leak.
Now when I got the car, there was a massive leak from one of the
rear cylinders. So I fitted a new cylinder and shoes to that
wheel.
It was still losing fluid, but I found a drip, from the rubber
hose connector onto the bottom of the brake fluid reservoir.
I've fixed that leak and that joint is bone dry.
But it's still losing brake fluid. It takes about 3 weeks to go
from the full to empty marks on the reservoir.
But now, I can't see where it's leaking. It doesn't appear to
be any of the slave cylinders, and it doesn't appear to be a
leaking joint anywhere.
So the only place I can think of is a drip from the master
cylinder. But that's encased, you can't see much of the master
cylinder.
So any suggestions how I track down where it's leaking?
#Post#: 31655--------------------------------------------------
Re: How to find a brake fluid leak
DIR By: Goose
Date: July 20, 2012, 2:09 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
If the master cylinder was leaking, I'd expect the fluid to be
running down the brake pedal. It's easy enough to wip the pedal
box cover off to have a look though. Have you checked the 4/5
way union onto of the chassis rail under the drivers footwell?
#Post#: 31665--------------------------------------------------
Re: How to find a brake fluid leak
DIR By: ProDave
Date: July 20, 2012, 2:50 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I've had a good look underneath.
There's a 4 way union under the drivers footwell. That was well
caked in oil so I've wiped it clean and will have a look in a
day or two.
However I may have found my problem, I suspect my initial
reservoir joint may still be weeping.
If I can explain, from the master cylinder there's a short piece
of metal pipe that stops just short of the brake fluid
reservoir. That is joined to the reservoir with a short piece
of rubber pipe. That was weeping a little at the reservoir end.
So I "fixed" it by putting a jubilee clip round it. I suspect
it may also be weeping at the pipe end, so I've just fitted a
second jubilee clip.
Now clearly that's well and truly in the bodge category of
"fixing" it, so what I should be doing is replacing that little
bit of rubber tubing, if only some kind soul would tell me it's
correct name, rather than "that little bit of tubing"
Also is that right that "that little bit of tubing" just pushes
onto the pipe and the reservoir with nothing to actually tighten
it down?
And when I do replace that bit of tubing, the biggest part of
the job is bleeding the bleeding brakes of course.
#Post#: 31667--------------------------------------------------
Re: How to find a brake fluid leak
DIR By: guest13
Date: July 20, 2012, 2:54 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
that little bit of rubber tubing is a bodge in itself as far as
I know they were hard piped (the S2(a) was, and I think the 3
was)
#Post#: 31675--------------------------------------------------
Re: How to find a brake fluid leak
DIR By: ProDave
Date: July 20, 2012, 3:17 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
So this bit of pipe (now with two jubilee clips) is not how it
should be then?
#Post#: 31682--------------------------------------------------
Re: How to find a brake fluid leak
DIR By: Albert Ross
Date: July 20, 2012, 3:47 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
That's an aftermarket unit. The original type for 2/2a, was tin,
and I suspect, in your case, it rotted out, or a corroded pipe
was involved and it twisted off during attempted removal. The S3
with single circuit brakes had 2 master cylinders, one for the
clutch, each with internal reservoirs. The clutch cylinder
appears the same as the brake master, but may be differently
proportioned internally. Dual circuit and servo brakes were
different again.
#Post#: 31687--------------------------------------------------
Re: How to find a brake fluid leak
DIR By: ProDave
Date: July 20, 2012, 3:58 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
You can see my clutch master cylinder in the background, the
reservoir appears to be an integral bit of that.
So where do I get the correct "bit of pipe" or, if the leak has
stopped, do I just stick with what's there?
#Post#: 31694--------------------------------------------------
Re: How to find a brake fluid leak
DIR By: Albert Ross
Date: July 20, 2012, 4:41 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Or use a S3 brake master cylinder to suit single circuit
non-servo brakes.
#Post#: 31711--------------------------------------------------
Re: How to find a brake fluid leak
DIR By: big-chris
Date: July 20, 2012, 5:31 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Or just buy and fit the correct Brake Fluid Reservoir, and
extend/replace your existing pipe :thumbs:
Proper unit but you only need one outlet
HTML http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-Series-2-2a-Brake-Fluid-Reservoir-504105-/290648766432?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item43ac0437e0#ht_500wt_1054
one outlet unit :smile1
HTML http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-Series-1-Metal-Brake-Fluid-Reservoir-1948-to-1958-271581-/290729249664?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item43b0d04b80#ht_500wt_1054
cheaper
HTML http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROVER-SERIES-1-ROVER-P4-BRAKE-FLUID-SUPPLY-TANK-/221064094941?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item33787264dd#ht_500wt_1287
Every now and then a second hand original one comes up on ebay,
usually sell for £20 ish so keep a look out or just stick a
wanted post in the for sale section on here, you never know
someone may have a spare bake-bean tin reservoir they will swap
for beer tokens ;-)
#Post#: 31727--------------------------------------------------
Re: How to find a brake fluid leak
DIR By: NoelC
Date: July 21, 2012, 4:48 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Albert Ross link ---
>
> That's an aftermarket unit.
--- End Quote ---
I beg to differ Jim, at that age of series 3 that arrangement
was factory fitted for non-servo vehicles, I've broken a couple
of series 3s of that era that have been identically equipped.
101s have the same arrangement albeit with two reservoirs:
[IMG]
HTML http://i1031.photobucket.com/albums/y372/leyland510/Misc/s3nonservo.jpg[/img]
ProDave, if you can find a copy of the 1973 series 3 parts
catalogue all of the stuff you have is shown there. My scanner
won't play at the moment unfortunately. The rubber pipe you
mention is part number 565668, however ex-factory is a push fit
only - no jubilee clips. I presume the newness has worn off the
pipe and someone has tried to fix it, this was a particularly
poor bit of design, mine above was bodged in the past with
clips.
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 2
DIR Next Page