All,
My 'V' reg modeo has had a flashing brake light for about 3 months - I top up the brake fluid, and the light goes away - after about 4-5 weeks, it flashes again, and I add more brake fluid.
Could this just be a leakage issues, or is this a symptom of some other problem?
Thanks in advance.
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Well given you have to keep topping up I'd suggest you've got a leak somewhere.
Is the level actually going down or are you topping up regardless?
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Adam,
I forgot to mention, yes, the level of the brake fluid is going down, every few weeks.
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Yes then - you've got a leak.
I'm afraid that's where my technical knowledge ends but someone will be along soon who can help more.
(This will probably get moved over to Technical Matters at some point)
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Brake fluid isn't renowned for shrinking or evaporating in a closed environment so yes, you have a leak. Get thy car to thee olde worlde garage a bit sharpish, as you may find your leak becomes a flood just at the point when you are mid emergency-stop.
If you are a bit handy with a spanner then start at the hose junctions and check the seals on the brake cylinders as these are the most common places for leaks to develop. If not, refer to my first paragraph.
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I'll second $$ - get it down to the garage PDQ, preferably without driving it anywhere except there - there's a potentially lethal fault in the braking system.
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RichardW
Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
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That needs attention radily. Either you are leaking fluid to the outside world and you should be able to see that or the master cylinder is leaking into the brake servo and accumalating, I'm surprised your driving around with a fault like that and why is your entry in the dicussion section. Regards Peter
No longer in discussion! smokie. BR Moderator
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When this amount of fluid goes down, it is always a leak. The master cylinder should drop a tiny amount over two years as the pads wear down and more fluid goes into a bigger brake piston gap. This is very serious. Get it to a garage, and they must get it up in the air, with drums off. They should find the leak quickly. Get it fixed, plus a full brake inspection and service, plus a brake fluid change.
Otherwise we will never hear from you again. Your insurance may be invalid as you are knowing driving a car with a known brake fault.
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If you have rear drum brakes one or both cylinders are leaking,both should be replaced.Having left it to get really bad the linings will be totally ruined and will also need replacing.This is one reason for renewing brake fluid every 18 months to two years,this should be done as well.
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As Sierraman says it will be your rear wheel cylinders leaking.
With Montegos and Maestros it is very common for some reason.
Just replaced them on my wifes car for the second time.
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Should have explained-the brake fluid,being hygroscopic,absorbs moisture.This ends up at the low points of the system and causes corrosion.The rust on the cylinder walls damages the seals and the cylinder starts to leak,held back by the rubber boot so this must be lifted during inspection.Under extreme pressure,emergency stop or M.O.T.brake test,the cylinder will blow,sometimes with an audible 'pop'.Many people cannot understand this and think the test has caused the fault,rather than highlighting an existing one.
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My S reg Mondeo passed its last MoT with no problems but at the service just a few weeks later I had both rear brake cylinders replaced. I was not aware of any fluid loss with my regular reservoir checks. I do not know when I would have done the next drums off inspection but am now happy knowing my brakes are really up to top condition.
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The reason rear cylinders weep more than front ones is they are subject to a higher hydraulic pressure loading. The pressure in the sytem is equal, but if you have ever seen a front piston out, it is nearly 2 inches across. A rear is about 1 inch, so the same pressure is on less of a rubber seal. The effect is a higher pressure that is less tolerant of any weakness. Hence it will weep if weak. Once on to the friction material, it ruins them.
They are cheap to relace so lond as all the pipes detatch. Corroded ones can be very difficult.
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