Forum:
ok first question has the middle part of my cam cover got a rubber gasket? i think its leaking oil everywhere and i can see a little piece of rubber gasket (much like the rocker gasket) hanging out.
secondly and more importantly, i bled my brakes today but it hasnt done any use. im suspecting that the master cylinder is paggered as when you put your foot on the brake, theres nothing until about an inch off the floor.
when the pedal is travelling to the floor you can hear a feint 'hiss' from the master cylinder (cabin side) as if theres air escaping?
if i pump the pedal it goes hard as i would expect but after a few seconds its the same.
this is if i have the engine running or not. i have bled all three nipples and gone through a litre of dot4.
the brakes are very very good once they bite, but theres so much give in the pedal before the bite.
any advice?
paul
I belive there is another
I belive there is another blead nipple on the breack balancing valve. This can be found in the break line going to the rear axle, somewhere along the side of the chassis. This is sometimed the couse of trapped air not being found. Also try bleading the front breakes with the car standing slightly nose up (on a set of ramps, or on a slight hill), this has also been known to get a little more air out.
Any veiws expresed in this thread by me are purely from my own experience, and (sometimes) falible memory. Hope my comments help, but please don't take them as gospel.
BRAKE BLEEDING PROBLEM
I, Like you suspect the Master cylinder or perhaps the servo unit.
Are you losing fluid and when you depress the pedal do tiny air bubles rise in the master cylinder If yes then it is the master cylinder seals gone and allowing the servo to push air into the system. This I suspect is the fizzing noise you hear when depressing the pedal. The airbeing forced through the top ven on the cap. Usually the fluid will leak into the servo so you would see a loss sometimes quite rapidly or slowly dependeny upon the state of the seals. If this is the case then dont leave it too long as the fluid level within the servo will damage it if left.
Brakes can feel spongy when new linings are put on until they bed down but the level you mention is definitely AIR, and a lot by the sound of it. I have had the same on a Ford and the fluid resembeled lemonade when removed. I replaced every seal, apart from those in the Master cylinder and used lots of fluid before realising that the fault lay in the Master Cylider. Bubbles rising is a 100% certainty.
I have completely changed my fluid and only used the three nipples you mention. There may well be another but, if so, I haven't used it and have had no problems. It reminds me that my own is due for changing again shortly.
Good luck
OLDMINIMAN
M J Young
i have completely changed
i have completely changed the fluid as when i got the car, there was a hole in a rear brake pipe and all the fluid had drained, there was nothing in the master cylinder.
the brake fluid i have been bleeding has been a little cloudy, but in no way has any air in it whatsoever. i have had alittle air from the rear brakes because of the new pipework but thats it.
it there a way to adjust the brake pedal, as if it were possible i could set it so it bites at the top of the travel arc.
PM me if you need Sportrak Help..
Brakes.
Bleed the longest run first. Then next longest and finish with the shortest run. Each time lock the bleed nipples on the downwards stroke. [Check the nipples are in good condition. They are standard size and cost a few pence from a motor diy shop ... change them!]
If you changed the rear shoes the gap between drum and shoes need adjusting .... rachet the hand brake up/down/up/down until the shoes adjustment raises the foot pedal to 'solid' for normal height.
ok ive bled the car to death
ok ive bled the car to death and theres no more bubbles. done it on an angle, and with all four bleed nipples.
the pedal is rock hard and in perfect postition WHEN THE ENGINE ISNT RUNNING
as soon as i start the engine the pedal drops to where i said before, right to the deck.
im now presuming its something to do with the vacuum the engine uses with the servo.
can anyone suggest anything i can do without having to strip the master cylinder etc or should i just replace it?
for the members who have pm'd me about this my heartful thanks go out, i just thought i would update this post as necessary.
PM me if you need Sportrak Help..
Master cylinder.
Pedal solid and then engine on ... pedal down and soft?
If engine is turned off the pedal remains soft then its the master cylinder. Check for air bubbles rising in the reservoir.
Probably easier to renew the cylinder. Try a diy motor shop rather than main dealer.