Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 16:07:44 -0800
From: "Jay Mackro" <jmackro@domain.elided>
Subject: [alfa] MC Leaking
Chris had asked:
I'm leaking brake fluid between the brake fluid reservoir and the master
cylinder. Are the grommets between the reservoir and master cylinder
replaceable?
Chris:
Don't know what "grommets" you are referring to. But, from the sounds of
it, the rear seal in your MC has gone bad. This is usually the first thing
to go in a MC. The back of the MC is exposed to vacuum, and it draws
fluid past a marginal seal. Get a rebuild kit, or better still, a new MC.
For some reason, there always seem to be LOTS of new Alfa master
cylinders offered on EBay (can anybody explain why? It isn't as if they
are that hard to install).
While you have your MC off, use a turkey baster to remove as much
brake fluid from the booster as possible. Booster diaphragm's are
destroyed by brake fluid (smart design from the Germans at ATE),
and your's probably won't last forever once exposed to brake fluid.
Jay Mackro
San Juan Capistrano, Ca.
The original poster asked about a leak between the MASTER CYLINDER
and the FLUID RESERVOIR, not between the MASTER CYLINDER and the
BOOSTER.