| Author |
Message |
sokyjeepster
Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2016
Posts: 22
Location: Franklin, KY
|
 Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 8:08 am Post subject: Master Cylinder Leak at brake switch |
 |
|
Hey folks!
I replaced my master cylinder on my 71 Super back in November (2017). directly after the change, I noticed a few drips here and there, but did not see any change in the reservoir, so I wrote it off as just some residual brake fluid in the tunnel. After a couple of months of cleaning up drips off the garage floor, I crawled under there a few weekend ago and noticed that 1)the soft lines had brake fluid on them and 2) there was a bit of fluid at the brake switch connection. So I tightened the brake switch fitting ordered some new braided hose (7mmID) and installed this past weekend. The new hoses are dry, BUT I am getting some drips from the brake switch connection.
How tight should these brake switches be? These are the same switches that came off of the previous master cylinder (switches appeared to be OE, MC was not)
Thanks for the help!
_________________
1971 Super Beetle |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
VW_Jimbo 
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 9950
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 8:41 am Post subject: Re: Master Cylinder Leak at brake switch |
|
|
Not too tight. These have a tapered thread, so they are self sealing after just a little force is applied.
Sometimes the switches leak between the metal body and the plastic top portion. You may want to either get in there with your iPhone and snap a few good pics, so that you can blow them up and take a close look at them from your couch.
Also, I have seen where the brake line above has not been seated 100% during the MC installation. Maybe turn those back a few turn and then retighten, there may be a little piece of dirt stuck in between the seat and the tapered fitting. You will need to bleed the brakes again, afterwards, to be safe.
Start with some good pictures and take a good look. It is amazing what technology allows us to see!
_________________
Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
| TDCTDI wrote: |
| Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!  |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gt1953
Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2002
Posts: 13846
Location: White Mountains Arizona
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 8:58 am Post subject: Re: Master Cylinder Leak at brake switch |
|
|
Probably defective switch leaking thru the switch, happened to me also
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.
72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold}) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 31360
Location: Hot Arizona
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 1:45 pm Post subject: Re: Master Cylinder Leak at brake switch |
|
|
| gt1953 wrote: |
| Probably defective switch leaking thru the switch, happened to me also |
Yes, can happen (and oil oil senders too). Confirm whether the switch part is leaking or the leak is at the switch threads.
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sokyjeepster
Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2016
Posts: 22
Location: Franklin, KY
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 1:57 pm Post subject: Re: Master Cylinder Leak at brake switch |
|
|
So in looking at this, it did appear to be leaking at the connection, not through the switch. I did loosen and retighten it, and so far, no leak. I will keep an eye on it though.
Thanks for the input!
_________________
1971 Super Beetle |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
andk5591
Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2005
Posts: 16757
Location: State College, PA
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 2:16 pm Post subject: Re: Master Cylinder Leak at brake switch |
|
|
Not sure about anybody else, but I like using teflon tape on these...
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
VW_Jimbo
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 9950
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 7:49 pm Post subject: Re: Master Cylinder Leak at brake switch |
|
|
| andk5591 wrote: |
| Not sure about anybody else, but I like using teflon tape on these... |
You can use teflon on these threads if you choose to. However, the threaded portion is tapered, just a little bit, so as you tighten it and it twists into the body it keeps getting closer and closer to the threads until there is no more room. It makes a perfect seal, with nothing else required. Same with the oil pressure switches.
_________________
Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
| TDCTDI wrote: |
| Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
VW_Jimbo
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 9950
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 7:55 pm Post subject: Re: Master Cylinder Leak at brake switch |
|
|
| sokyjeepster wrote: |
So in looking at this, it did appear to be leaking at the connection, not through the switch. I did loosen and retighten it, and so far, no leak. I will keep an eye on it though.
Thanks for the input! |
It only takes a spec of dirt to get in there and cause a leak. Whenever I remove and replace any tapered threads, I tighten it, then back out a turn and retighten. A trick taught to me by a long time air cooled mechanic, when I was a new mechanic with a leaking brake line at a wheel cylinder. He let me dick with the fitting for 30 minutes before letting me know what was going on. You know, I got the lift at working height again, removed the wheel, the brake shoes and was about to remove the wheel cylinder, when he chimed in. I was not thankful in the momment, but have thanked him many times over! Thanks, Ed!
_________________
Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
| TDCTDI wrote: |
| Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Tim Donahoe
Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2012
Posts: 11740
Location: Redding, CA
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 11:51 pm Post subject: Re: Master Cylinder Leak at brake switch |
|
|
Pretty sure I remember the torque on the switches is 14 ft. lbs.
Tim
_________________
Let's do the Time Warp again!
Richard O'Brien |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 31360
Location: Hot Arizona
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2018 6:39 am Post subject: Re: Master Cylinder Leak at brake switch |
|
|
| VW_Jimbo wrote: |
| You can use teflon on these threads if you choose to. However, the threaded portion is tapered, just a little bit, so as you tighten it and it twists into the body it keeps getting closer and closer to the threads until there is no more room. It makes a perfect seal, with nothing else required. Same with the oil pressure switches. |
Actually, the oil pressure switch - unlike the brake switches - must be able to make an electrical connection from switch to the engine case. "Usually" the threads cut through the teflon tape enough to make this happen - so be cautious for that location.
If you use for the brake switches: maybe not tell the purists !!! Sometimes folks have trouble getting a socket (24mm deep) on these and they don't get tightened firmly. Last summer I replaced one on my own installed MC and it was a little cramped/awkward.
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
