Congrats on the "acquisition"! I'm afraid you may be in for some brake
rebuilding, however. As far as the reservoir goes, are you sure you
weren't topping off the clutch reservoir instead? That's what your
description sounds like. Take another look. The brake reservoir is toward
the center of the car compared to the clutch reservoir.
Assuming you do have a full load of fluid, the rapid leakdown of pressure
you describe indicates a problem. My first suspect would be the master
cylinder itself, but you really need to evaluate the whole system,
including the flexible hoses. You have a dual channel system, so the fact
that the pedal goes totally limp indicates the master cylinder is the
culprit. If was just one of the front hoses, I would expect you'd get
some resistance from the still-functional rear channel. Anyway, this
problem is not going to go away by itself, and is definitely safety
related, so you should take steps to protect your investment(s) right
away.
Depending on the actual source of your brake components (i.e. the
chemical composition of the rubber or synthetic rubber seals), you may or
may not need to stick exclusively to Castrol GT LMA brand brake fluid. I
don't take chances, I just always use it. Keep a small fresh can in the
boot.
Best of luck to (all three of) you!
Josef Kurtz had this to say:
>greetings all! i have been off the list for awhile acquiring a brand
>new, late model 1999 wife, complete with school loans (DPO's?), odd family
>members, and a collection of decorative pillows (can anybody explain this
>to me?). but, the body is in cherry shape, and the engine sounds like it
>is going to purr for a lifetime, although i found i could get it to
>overheat when i am not careful :)
>
>but, on to more relevent things. my 79B not only made it through the
>wedding, but was a hit among guests. but now she has some problems:
>
>1. when the engine gets warmed up, it seems the fast idle remains engaged
>when i pull up to a light or engage the clutch (~1200-1300 rpm). touching
>teh gas rememdies this problem (~900 rpm), leading me to think it is a
>sticky "something". i have a weber carb installed. help please?
>
>2. brakes. i know this problem has been addressed before, but my web
>browser is being finicky, and i have not been able to cruise the web. so
>i need help. rather quickly, make brakes became very spongy. if i engage
>the brake slowly, they do nothing and the pedal rides all of the way to
>the stopping point. by pumping the pedal, i am able to build up pressure,
>but this is quickly lost. first thought: low brake fluid. ran to
>auotzone and bought a bottle of COastal super heavy duty brake fluid, dot
>3, like it sayd on the reservoir.( my resevoir does not look like the one
>in the haynes manual because it is not slanted and instead resembles a
>rectangle) (it is found on the right side of the engine bay-looking from
>the front bumper-and is the closest thing towards the front). this did
>not help.
>
>i have checked for leaks underneath the car, but have found no puddles.
>have i collected air in the lines and need to bleed them? is this
>something i can do this weekend? was dot 3 the right fluid versus dot 4?
>how can i guarantee a happy and successful marriage?
>
>thanks for all the help, and i look forward to joining the boston
>chapter/new england chapter of the mg clubs, now that i am not picking out
>flower arrangements.
>
>salut!
>
>joey
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Josef Kurtz
> jkurtz@alum.mit.edu
>PhD Candidate in 200? kurtz@helix.mgh.harvard.edu
>Program in Immunology 1979 MGB: Nikki
>Harvard Medical School "Safety Fast!"
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the red one with the silver bootlid.
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