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brake fluid leakage 200 1986

i was asking if anyone has had a similar experience with their brake system. i have noticed a loss of fluid in the resevoir, the only place that looks like it might be leaking is around the brake pressure warning switch down stream from the master cyl. any ideas ???








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brake fluid leakage 200 1986

As the posters below indicate, the best way to do the job only once is to replace the entire block/switch assembly. Not a bad job, but there are pitfalls. The biggest thing is to make sure that you can start ALL the fittings at the block before you take any of them all the way off. A tubing wrench is the best tool for the job. Starting the mounting bolts first will help too. The object is to have the system open for the shortest possible time.








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Leaky junction block, temporary care and feeding thereof.... 200 1986

Chances are quite good that the problem is failure of the 0-ring (s) inside the junction block. They are designed to hold brake system pressures, the switch seal is not.

Replacing the junction block requires removal of the old one, (PITA job), loss of fluid, installation of new block, complete system bleed/flush, and the time and money for all that. I priced the job at an indie shop 5-6 yers ago, it was $50 for the part, $50 for the labor, and $50 for the bleed/flush. Prolly more now.

While you are driving with the leak, you can keep the brakes functioning fairly well. Here's what I did.

(1) Buy two cans of good DOT-4 brake fluid, a 12-ounce can and a 32-ounce can.

(2) Carry the 12-ounce can in the car, see if it will fit between the battery and whatever is in front of the battery. The can must stay upright, that stuff eats paint. Refill it from the 32-ounce can kept in the garage.

(3) Check and fill the fluid reservoir every morning and evening, and in between, depending on your driving. The leak will drip all the time, but will leak faster only when the brake pressure is raised.

(4) Drive so as to need brakes a minimum. Strangely enough, easy acceleration seems to give a mind-set that aids in easy braking. Look 'way ahead, back off gas early to slow without brakes. BTDT

(5) If the reservoir gets empty, air will get into the lines. Be sure the reservoir is full when you shut down for overnight. Any air in the lines may be just in the vertical lines and overnight the bubbles can float up and out.

This kept me going for a couple of months.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)










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brake fluid leakage 200 1986

You're probably talking about the junction block mounted behind the driver's side wheel well. This is where the plastic warning light switch lives (and leaks). If you are one of the 20% who are lucky, you can just tighten down the plastic switch and the leak will go away. If you are like the rest of the 80% of us, you will have to buy a new junction block (it comes with the switch), replace it (to minimize fluid loss while the system is open, take your brake fluid reservoir cap off and screw a piece of plastic down with the cap as a gasket to keep air from moving), and bleed the system.

You might be tempted to get away with just replacing the switch (BTDT, many have tried and failed), but trust me on this one that you'll want to replace the whole unit. FCP Groton has a good price for a replacement.







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