Quick technical question, peeps:

Should it be possible to see the brake fluid in the resevoir from the outside?

Reason being, I'm getting three long bleeps from the dash when pulling away on roundabouts (combination of power + steering). I *think* I saw the brake warning light flicker on, but really hard to say. It's happened three times in as many days now, so getting serious...

I'm thinking ABS sensor or perhaps (more worringly) low brake fluid.

But I can't get enough access to the top of the fluid resevoir to get the cap off - the vacumn controller lines and turbo ductwork is on the way (this is a VRS).

So, I can see the coolant level from the outside of the expansion tank - should I also be able to see the same for the brake fluid? Because I can't :(

Cheers!

Access to cap is awkward but quite easy to get the cap off. Very difficult to see the level from the outside.

try putting a torch pointing downwards on the top of the reservoir, try something like a mini maglite, assuming you can get it on top. The extra light from the torch can help you to see the level in it.

try putting a torch pointing downwards on the top of the reservoir, try something like a mini maglite, assuming you can get it on top. The extra light from the torch can help you to see the level in it.

Seconded, this is the only way. I wonder if the reservoirs were ever see-through or if the brake fluid turned them opaque?

Seconded, this is the only way. I wonder if the reservoirs were ever see-through or if the brake fluid turned them opaque?

You can see the level in the the reservoir on SWMBOs Leon normally without a torch. Her car is only 6 months younger than mine but has a lot less miles on it. Also there is a lot more space around the reservoir as it is a 1.6 petrol so maybe more light gets to it.

So, I can see the coolant level from the outside of the expansion tank - should I also be able to see the same for the brake fluid? Because I can't :(

Spooky!

I refreshed my brake fluid again at the weekend and nearly posted the same comment!

You can improve access to the reservoir by unclipping the boost pipe and moving the vacuum tubing routed along it to one side.

I use a small funnel to help prevent spillages when refilling.

Refill slowly as the built in filter in the reservoir restricts the flow and it's easy to pour fluid in faster than it goes through the filter!

Can second the idea of using a torch to see the level as with new (clearish) fluid it is very difficult to see it - it's almost easier to do a final check (using a torch) when it's dark!

or if you can't see it just open the cap look inside and if you still can't be sure stick your finger in it.(make sure hands are clean before doing so and not wet)

Removing engine cover does help with access, but still have to fiddle about with numerous rubber pipes, to unscrew brake fluid cap, and peer in. !!

Well, after getting numerous chimes on the way home (but the light only a few times...), I tried the torch trick and...

... the resevior appears to be dry!

There might be just a few mm on the bottom, or it might just be gunk. Bouncing the car didn't create any waves in it...

No codes stored, which I thought was a bit odd, though, seeing as it has reported the problem many, many times...

And if it is leaking brake fluid, where's it going? And, more importantly, what's it doing to any paint it might be running over. Eek.

Soonest the garage can take it is Tuesday. So I'll be in the "fun" car until then. Lupo GTI - parp! Or not parp as its cambelt is due...

On the plus side, the warranty runs out in a few weeks. Only *just* happened in time to be covered (hopefully...)

Edited 19 August, 201015 yr by dxg

Check-out for damp areas around brake calipers, all brake pipes, base of brake vacuum servo, for fluid leaking into it.

Top-up brake fluid ASAP and keep vigil on above suggested areas.

Not a bad idea to renew brake fluid in brake system at this time.!!

Check-out for damp areas around brake calipers, all brake pipes, base of brake vacuum servo, for fluid leaking into it.

Top-up brake fluid ASAP and keep vigil on above suggested areas.

Not a bad idea to renew brake fluid in brake system at this time.!!

Yup. The car's off the road until I can get this sorted. Reluctant to top up the fluid myself because otherwise the dealer is unlikely to believe that there's a problem. Question is: will it make the drive from my house to the garage...?

Yup. The car's off the road until I can get this sorted. Reluctant to top up the fluid myself because otherwise the dealer is unlikely to believe that there's a problem. Question is: will it make the drive from my house to the garage...?

Your asking for trouble, driving with low brake fluid level.

Not nice pressing down on footbrake and car not slowing down (it's happened to me, years ago).

Get dealer to pick car up and be on the safe side eh??

Edited 20 August, 201015 yr by giandougl

i didn't realise that my brake fluid was low when i had my astra

and it ended up knackering my brake master cylinder along with the brakes being virtually non existant

Hmmm...

So it came back from the dealer today with the comments: "We couldn't really see anything wrong with it, but we have topped up the brake fluid and you'll just need to keep an eye on it."

So, where did all the fluid go then?

Plus, they gave it an MOT at the same time! Fair enough, the braking action was still ok (if you ignored the warning bleeps), but surely any visible leaks would have been a fail?

Time to take it to the local back street place I use for my other car, because they'll actually take the time to search for the root of the problem...

Edited 24 August, 201015 yr by dxg

Vanishing brake fluid without it appearing anywhere, usually means the servo is goosed. Or someone bled the brakes and didn't top up enough.

I had the three bleeps coming on my pd100 when ever cornering. It turned out that brake fluid was leaking from the offside rear calliper. Needed new rear calliper and they topped up brake fluid. All is well since.