Brake fluid is gone: causes, methods for solving the problem and advice from car owners

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

The role of brake fluid can hardly be overestimated: its task is to transfer forces from the main brake mechanism to the wheel cylinders. Failure of this system leads to accidents. The state of the substance that provides braking must be constantly monitored. The system should be checked for leaks. If the brake fluid (TF) is gone, urgent action will have to be taken.

How to check the level of TJ?

Glancing under the hood, where a special tank is located, you can check the level. The tank is made of translucent plastic, so that it is easy to determine from the minimum and maximum values whether the brake fluid has left or remained in its original quantity. In the case of topping up, it is better to get acquainted with the car's instructions in detail: in some brands where ABS is installed, bleeding of the brakes is required.

If you still left the brake fluid, you should first understand the reasons. Under no circumstances should you keep moving.

The tank is cracked - what to do first?

Some motorists mistakenly proceed to dismantle the entire brake assembly. Calmness and visual inspection is the first step towards a successful repair. Wet marks and smudges indicate a decrease in the level of the substance. If a crack is found, experienced car owners advise immediately replacing the tank - sealing will not help here. What if an incident happened on the route?

First aid for crack detection

The reasons why the brake fluid leaves the reservoir may be different. This can happen as a result of the machine hitting an obstacle. Car service is far away - what to do? You can close a crack along the way only to continue moving. Upon arrival at your destination, you will have to purchase a new tank. Glue doesn't help most of the time. Craftsmen recommend using a regular 40-watt soldering iron, slightly stretching the rod, slightly loosening the top screw. A piece of plastic tape similar to the tank body is cut off. It is soldered and used as a patch. First you need to go through the crack with a soldering iron, then use a strip of prepared plastic.

Replacing the tank on VAZ-2109

The algorithm for replacing the tank is simple. The car must be washed outside and in the engine compartment. This should be done manually, avoiding moisture on the pads, starter, sensors.

Then you need to jack up the car and clean the threaded connections that you will have to deal with. With a visual inspection, you can recognize where the brakeliquid. The reasons for this trouble will also become clear in most cases.

Unscrewing the nuts and disconnecting the wires of the cover, a person gets access to the tank, which must be removed.

Important advice from experienced car owners! To loosen hose clamps, it is better to unscrew the bolts with pliers.

Clutch hose repair method

One of the common reasons why the clutch brake fluid left, experts call a damaged hose through which the fluid circulates from the reservoir to the clutch.

Effective replacement tips:

• It is necessary to remove the tank itself, removing the collar from below.
• The hose should be purchased new, preferably red.
• Pull out the damaged hose carefully so as not to accidentally break off the plastic fitting.

It's important not to let fluid leak onto the fender or paint. After removing the tank, rinse it with water, it is also recommended to replace the clamps. We install the hose, tighten without much effort. Don't forget to tighten the nuts as well.

Masters say that the hose often wears out. It is necessary to check it periodically and, if damage is detected, replace it with a new one.

Brake cylinder leak

A common cause of brake fluid leakage is a leaking cylinder. The appearance of a problem is judged by the stain left under the vehicle. Finding out the reason is easy.

• The wheel will have to be removed, carefully inspect the brake disc.
• Check the calipers for leaks.

If there is a brakedrum system there is an urgent need to remove the drums. The problem involves worn rubber seals. Especially often, such troubles await residents of regions with severe frosts.

About the consequences

There can be many answers to the question of where the brake fluid goes from the reservoir. It can go into the vacuum silencer. This indicates a high percentage of wear on the master cylinder piston cuff. For simple rubber, there is nothing terrible in this. Another issue is the accumulation of funds in the form of a dangling layer. This will cause an increase in resistance at high diaphragm speeds. It is believed that such a situation simply kills the diaphragm. By changing the cuff, the movement will become safe. Sometimes you have to install a repair kit, disassembling the vacuum cleaner.

Some motorists ask if brake fluid can leak into the engine. Experts give a negative answer. She can only get there if she mixes up the liquid canisters.

Symptomatics of defects in the brake master cylinder

Rubber seals in the brake master cylinder cause leaks. They cause the penetration of TJ vacuum booster. In such a situation, replacing the cylinder will save. If a malfunction occurs with the brake cylinder, the brakes completely fail or do not work correctly. The main difficulty for this part is the obsolescence of the brake pads. Diagnostics involves the initial notification of the driver using indicatorson the dashboard, checking the pressure in the system. What does the motorist see as a result of the problems that have arisen?

• Pressing the pedal, the owner of the steel horse feels its slow stop. The point here is the loss of tightness of the pistons or the wear of the cuffs.
• Short pedal travel means high concentration of brake fluid with nowhere to go due to clogged bore or swollen rubber seal.
• There is a failure of the pedal: the matter is in the fluid rushing into the expansion tank.

Brake Bleeding Secrets

Completing the repair process, the brake system needs to be bled. You can do the work yourself or by contacting the service.

• The reservoir is filled with brake fluid up to the max mark.
• Wheel brake fittings need cleaning.
• Take a separate container and a hose attached to the fitting.

The assistant sitting behind the wheel should press the gas pedal evenly and strongly three times. Pressing the fourth time, the pedal does not need to be released. The fitting at this time must be unscrewed and see the output of the TJ. Bubbles in the jet will tell about the air in the system. After the air is released, the fitting is wrapped, and the process is repeated on the other wheelset. Observing all the rules of pumping, it is completely impossible to be sure of the reliability of the result. Experienced motorists recommend not to neglect the services of service stations.

When doing self-repair, experts advise slightly tilting the car towards the wheel in question. At the same time, the air will rise up and reach the threaded valve sooner. Light tapping on the caliper optimizes the process. In addition to the above technique for bleeding air, there is a technique for adding brake fluid to the reservoir. It is difficult to do this, only experienced transport owners can do it. Procedure not available for machines with outflow pressure control valves.

There is a high risk of incorrect manipulations to provoke new breakdowns, to get the opposite effect - the appearance of air in the brake system in even larger quantities. Professionals will come to the rescue, they will perform the work competently in the optimal time.