P38 brake fluid leak from reservoir

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feyniriel

feyniriel

Active Member
Posts
143
Location
Finland
Hi guys, my P38 brake fluid reservoir is wet all around and the fluid level goes up and down. I recently fitted new front disks and pads, after which the brakes were spongy. After driving the car, upon opening the brake fluid reservoir, air rushed in and brake fluid dropped to normal level. Brakes feel fine now. Then a week later, brakes were spongy again, brake fluid reservoir was wet and it looked as if it was sucked in. Again upon opening air rushed in and it leveled and brakes turned hard again. The brake fluid is brown in colour, which we will fix as soon as we can.
Any ideas what could be causing this? Thanks.
 
Last edited:
feyniriel said:
Hi guys, my P38 brake fluid reservoir is wet all around and the fluid level goes up and down. I recently fitted new front disks and pads, after which the brakes were spongy. After driving the car, upon opening the brake fluid reservoir, air rushed in and brake fluid dropped to normal level. Brakes feel fine now. Then a week later, brakes were spongy again, brake fluid reservoir was wet and it looked as if it was sucked in. Again upon opening air rushed in and it leveled and brakes turned hard again. The brake fluid is brown in colour, which we will fix as soon as we can.
Any ideas what could be causing this? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Over filled? The level should be correct with the engine running. It will rise with the engine stopped. I do not think the cap should be airtight.
 
feyniriel said:
Hi guys, my P38 brake fluid reservoir is wet all around and the fluid level goes up and down. I recently fitted new front disks and pads, after which the brakes were spongy. After driving the car, upon opening the brake fluid reservoir, air rushed in and brake fluid dropped to normal level. Brakes feel fine now. Then a week later, brakes were spongy again, brake fluid reservoir was wet and it looked as if it was sucked in. Again upon opening air rushed in and it leveled and brakes turned hard again. The brake fluid is brown in colour, which we will fix as soon as we can.
Any ideas what could be causing this? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Cheapest fix and first job with brakes is to follow the bleed procedure as per RAVE. Don't rush it and pump plenty of fresh fluid through.

How many presses of the brake pedal before the ABS pump kicks in? If the accumulator membrane is shot it might leak fluid into that.

Also, check the brake lines where they go over the chassis by the fuel tank at the rear. If they haven't been replaced they need replacing.
 
+1 on doing the brake bleed procedure as per Rave.
If you think youve got all the air out on a step give it another 5 pumps and more air will come out.
 
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