On the petrol models ( according to the gospel of the prophet Haynes and his photos ) topping up the brake master is simple, but on the diesel models it's a bit more difficult, due to the pipes running across the top of the master cylinder. I've solved the problem for my self( other methods might be available). I simply place a small funnel between the pipes ,so that fluid drops into the master and nowhere else.

I ended up using a plastic syringe. You can not only reach to fill the reservoir easier, but can accurately measure how much you add.

Many thanks for the idea. I've got some I kept from when i used to fill my printer tanks (clean ones I mean).

I use a (clean) turkey baster.

Baster might be handy when renewing front disc pads to prevent overflow. Nice to say ,but this is first time I've had to replace any fluid.

2 minutes ago, VWD said:

Baster might be handy when renewing front disc pads to prevent overflow.

 

Yes, good for that as well.

I'll save the baster for the turkey, as a Gunsen in reverse works as well when replacing front pads. Use as per bleeding mode, with out pressure and valve open. Excess fluid flows into bottle rather than over engine. Get the bottle positioned right and excess will syphon into bottle.

7 minutes ago, VWD said:

I'll save the baster for the turkey

 

Just don't put brake fluid on your turkey

Might be a new fad. Turkey cooked in brake fluid. Brake fluid does burn well. I remember having to stop in a hurry on a junction leading to Marton road in an old Victor, and seeing clouds of white smoke from the rear. Turned out the master cylinder seal was leaking into the servo and brake fluid was getting sucked back into engine.

Most of the time you shouldn't really have to top the brake fluid level up. It doesn't (or at least shouldn't) go anywhere. If the level has dropped it will be as the pads have worn down (or a leak). Replace pads and the level will be back up, if you top up while the pads are low you will have to remove fluid when they are replaced.

Come on then, Techie- how do you in the trade top up the master cylinder in a 1.4TDI  engine bay, where the cylinder lives below the injector controls. I needed to whilst I used the car to get the bits to repair a leaky (more weepy than leak) slave cylinder on the rear. I wasn't concerned about low level due to pads, but due to leak. These days if fluid level is high, when replacing worn pads, I'd use the eezie bleed to catch any overflow.

However ,a more interesting point rises. The brakes in a fabia are dual circuit . Does that mean that if (e.g.) a rear cylinder fails and looses all the fluid in that circuit that the other half will keep working ?

 

10 hours ago, VWD said:

Come on then, Techie- how do you in the trade top up the master cylinder in a 1.4TDI  engine bay, where the cylinder lives below the injector controls.

 

 

Injector controls?

 

As mentioned previously, I don't generally top up the reservoir, if it's got a leak, sort the leak. But if the level needs adjusting we would usually use a syringe.

Thanks Tech1e- I had a leak( more of a large weep) , now fixed , where I had to add a bit of fluid ,whilst I fetched a cylinder. But problem is that the cables etc above the brake reservoir prevent tye old method of pouring in. I found that a small funnel inserted between the cables of ( ?????), item above the reservoir ( item D in photo) let me get fluid in without it ending up everywhere.

I think they might be vacuum pipes, rather than anything to do with the injectors.

Sep- these tubes head off down beside where I'd imagine the injectors live. Under the bonnet on mine is a black art. I'm more of a old petrol head driver, where you've got a set of points /distributor and a coil. Chuck in an SU carb and I'm like a pig in muck. Problem at roadside- no need for AA/RAC, just a plug spanner, set of small points spanners and a decent flashlight.

Yep -sep  -correct as usual. Found what it is called from another post