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jrob83046
Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2015
Posts: 151
Location: Pineville, La.
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 Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2025 6:00 pm Post subject: Brake fluid leak on 70 Type 1 |
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I have a brake fluid leak on my car. I have to add fluid every now and then. I can't figure out where the leak it at. I looked today but I can't see any evidence of where it is. It's not from the reservoir to the master cylinder.
I had to replace a right from wheel cylinder today. Don't see any evidence around the wheels. Anybody got any ideas how to find it. |
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Glenn 
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 80391
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2025 6:04 pm Post subject: Re: Brake fluid leak on 70 Type 1 |
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Check the floor by the master.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
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עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי |
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jrob83046
Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2015
Posts: 151
Location: Pineville, La.
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2025 6:40 pm Post subject: Re: Brake fluid leak on 70 Type 1 |
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I looked there but it is dry. I thought maybe the hoses that connect to the master cylinder but it looks ok.
I may have to put it up on a rack and look at it. I just hope it's not in the tunnel. I will look some more. |
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Eric&Barb
Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004
Posts: 26263
Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2025 8:01 pm Post subject: Re: Brake fluid leak on 70 Type 1 |
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Check the master where the pedal rod goes into it. If a leak there, it will drop down into the double wall in front of the pedals.
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In Stereo, Where Available! |
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Bobs67vwagen
Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2005
Posts: 869
Location: Eastern north carolina
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| Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2025 3:10 am Post subject: Re: Brake fluid leak on 70 Type 1 |
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| You may also want to peel back the rubber mat or carpet on the driver's side and check along the tunnel where the rear brake line runs. |
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jrob83046
Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2015
Posts: 151
Location: Pineville, La.
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| Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2025 5:20 am Post subject: Re: Brake fluid leak on 70 Type 1 |
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| I will check that today. Hope I don't have to change the master cylinder. I changed one on a 72 I had. It was not fun. It may be something like that. Thanks for the suggestions. |
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baldessariclan
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2016
Posts: 2186
Location: Wichita, KS
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| Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2025 6:56 am Post subject: Re: Brake fluid leak on 70 Type 1 |
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| jrob83046 wrote: |
| I will check that today. Hope I don't have to change the master cylinder. I changed one on a 72 I had. It was not fun. It may be something like that. Thanks for the suggestions. |
Unfortunately, that's pretty much the most common place for any master cylinder to leak once the seals start to go -- have seen it occur in multiple makes and models over the years. In VW Beetle, it will leak into that hollow "Napoleon's hat" area of the chassis, as mentioned by others above. Look for wet spots or dripping on bottom of the car, just forward of front edge of the floor pan. If it leaks long enough, brake fluid can eventually make its way into the main tunnel area as well.
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1971 Standard Beetle — fairly stock / driver
baldessariclan -- often in error, never in doubt... |
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BMFBMF
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2020
Posts: 532
Location: Swtzerland
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| Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2025 9:57 pm Post subject: Re: Brake fluid leak on 70 Type 1 |
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You'll have to figure out a way to wash out the brake fluid and then redo the rust proofing as the paint will probably have all lifted.
Damhik.
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-----Slava Ukraini-----
1971 Stock South African Beetle 1300 : My mom's european "Thin Chick" spec. Completely stock with torsion bar front, swingaxle rear, smooth hubs, single MC, 40 mm shoes, 31PICT3 carb and 5 bolt drums all round, currently Running a 1976 SF:AS engine with the original SF:AD engine overhauled in a box, waiting to go back in one day. |
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tpinthepack
Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2004
Posts: 856
Location: clearwater,florida
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| Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2025 1:54 am Post subject: Re: Brake fluid leak on 70 Type 1 |
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I had the same problem last month on a Beetle, and it was frustrating that the leak was not obvious, and I was dreading the thought of it being in the front chassis from the Master Cylinder. Mine ended up being both rear wheel cylinders, the fluid was all under the rubber piston cover dust cap, those caps hold a lot of fluid. I think it is worth removing all drums and peeling them back, you might find the same.
Good Luck.
Tony
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TP in the Pack (I am a cyclist)
1968 Manx N.O.S. w/ Barrett Chassis
1960 Single Cab 1914 w/ 40 DLRA's
1990 Vanagon DOKA
1972 Super Beetle
1979 Super Beetle Convertible
2011 Porsche Cayenne |
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