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FlowerPowered Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2005 Posts: 389 Location: Montana
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 10:17 am Post subject: Case of the disappearing brake fluid: Lessons learned |
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It can really throw you for a loop when you keep loosing brake fluid but you don't see evidence of a leak. It's probably not news that brake fluid can end up in the tunnel. This graphic shows why that can happen:
Front of tunnel access cover removed.
AH HA. There it is...but how does it get there when the brake lines don't pass through the tunnel?
Well, here's the master cylinder mounting point. (No it's not a right-hand drive, The Samba gallery upload flipped the image.) As you can see, it's a double wall, effectively creating a channel to collect leaks:
So if the master cylinder seal blows, it leaks into this side frame, which itself is a side tunnel, which is connected to the center tunnel. The arrow shows the flow, pointing towards the front of car:
It seems the leaked fluid collected in the low spot of the tunnel, then migrated to the back of the tunnel under acceleration. That's why only noticed a little wetness on the bottom of the chassis around the transmission, which fooled me to thinking it was not brake fluid, but was maybe engine oil. Also, pumping the brakes for bleeding never showed a leak because it simply collected in the tunnel. _________________ 76 Westy "Sunset" |
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60ragtop Bonneville Belt Bitch
Joined: March 13, 2006 Posts: 7800 Location: Big Wonderful WYO 82401
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 10:27 am Post subject: Re: Case of the disappearing brake fluid: Lessons learned |
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yes, the tunnel the first place to look for disappearing brake fluid with no obvious leaks. _________________ Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986
tasb wrote: |
I've restored a large number too, but I don't toot my horn quite as loud.
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sb001 wrote: |
maybe he just snapped cause his car sucked |
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miller0358 Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2007 Posts: 1200 Location: northford,ct
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 10:33 am Post subject: Re: Case of the disappearing brake fluid: Lessons learned |
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Nice find |
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Mr.Duncan Samba Member
Joined: May 12, 2012 Posts: 3542 Location: Houston, TX
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vamram Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2012 Posts: 7274 Location: NOVA
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 11:22 am Post subject: Re: Case of the disappearing brake fluid: Lessons learned |
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Great info, both your pics and Mr. Duncan's link to that spray. How did you clean out the tunnel of the accumulated brake fluid? _________________ Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!
'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!! |
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Mr.Duncan Samba Member
Joined: May 12, 2012 Posts: 3542 Location: Houston, TX
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 11:22 am Post subject: Re: Case of the disappearing brake fluid: Lessons learned |
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vamram wrote: |
How did you clean out the tunnel of the accumulated brake fluid? |
Water hose. _________________ (Owner) www.vintagecarleds.com
Red 1971 Squareback Thread
Red 1966 Beetle Thread
---------------------------------------------------
1971 Green Super Beetle (sold)
1966 Ghia (sold)
1971 Blue Super Beetle (sold)
1966 Java Green Std Beetle (sold)
1971 Red Squareback (sold)
1966 Red Beetle |
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vamram Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2012 Posts: 7274 Location: NOVA
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 11:25 am Post subject: Re: Case of the disappearing brake fluid: Lessons learned |
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Mr.Duncan wrote: |
vamram wrote: |
How did you clean out the tunnel of the accumulated brake fluid? |
Water hose. |
Brake fluid is water soluble? Just that will leave the surface clean enough for the undercoating spray to adhere? _________________ Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!
'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!! |
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FlowerPowered Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2005 Posts: 389 Location: Montana
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 11:31 am Post subject: Re: Case of the disappearing brake fluid: Lessons learned |
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Wow. Took that tunnel from looking like a New York City sewer to a secret Egyptian tomb access passage. _________________ 76 Westy "Sunset" |
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vamram Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2012 Posts: 7274 Location: NOVA
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 11:35 am Post subject: Re: Case of the disappearing brake fluid: Lessons learned |
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FlowerPowered wrote: |
Wow. Took that tunnel from looking like a New York City sewer to a secret Egyptian tomb access passage. |
Crack me up. They really do look like Manhattan subway tunnels where you would not want the train to stall! _________________ Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!
'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!! |
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Mr.Duncan Samba Member
Joined: May 12, 2012 Posts: 3542 Location: Houston, TX
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 11:41 am Post subject: Re: Case of the disappearing brake fluid: Lessons learned |
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vamram wrote: |
Mr.Duncan wrote: |
vamram wrote: |
How did you clean out the tunnel of the accumulated brake fluid? |
Water hose. |
Brake fluid is water soluble? Just that will leave the surface clean enough for the undercoating spray to adhere? |
That is correct, after it air-drys it wouldn't hurt to spray alcohol before the frame coating.
Standard automotive brake fluid (DOT 3,4 and 5.1) are made from polyethylene glycol (PEG). PEG is soluble in water, methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile, benzene, and dichloromethane, and is insoluble in diethyl ether and hexane. ... DOT 5 brake fluid is diorgano polysiloxane (Silicone). It is not soluble in water. _________________ (Owner) www.vintagecarleds.com
Red 1971 Squareback Thread
Red 1966 Beetle Thread
---------------------------------------------------
1971 Green Super Beetle (sold)
1966 Ghia (sold)
1971 Blue Super Beetle (sold)
1966 Java Green Std Beetle (sold)
1971 Red Squareback (sold)
1966 Red Beetle |
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MrVWGuy Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2010 Posts: 643 Location: North of Pittsburgh PA
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 1:52 pm Post subject: Re: Case of the disappearing brake fluid: Lessons learned |
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FlowerPowered wrote: |
Wow. Took that tunnel from looking like a New York City sewer to a secret Egyptian tomb access passage. |
That tunnel started out looking like this:
After I cleaned it out with lots of water, looked like this:
I let it dry inside my garage for a week before applying the internal frame coating. _________________ '63 Bus (camper of unknown origin)
'62 Beetle
'68 Kombi
'76 Westfalia camper, the wife's |
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estilholliday Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2013 Posts: 54 Location: Delaware
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Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2019 12:38 pm Post subject: Re: Case of the disappearing brake fluid: Lessons learned |
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ressurection... MrVWGuy, good stuff. great pics. you see they used your photos on the Eastwood site?? pretty cool...
Im gonna have to try this. Im currently having the same issues with leaking brake fluid into the pan. its always something... |
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MrVWGuy Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2010 Posts: 643 Location: North of Pittsburgh PA
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 5:45 am Post subject: Re: Case of the disappearing brake fluid: Lessons learned |
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estilholliday wrote: |
ressurection... MrVWGuy, good stuff. great pics. you see they used your photos on the Eastwood site?? pretty cool...
Im gonna have to try this. Im currently having the same issues with leaking brake fluid into the pan. its always something... |
Yes!! They gave me some free powder coat powder in return for the use of my pics!! _________________ '63 Bus (camper of unknown origin)
'62 Beetle
'68 Kombi
'76 Westfalia camper, the wife's |
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TDCTDI Samba Advocatus Diaboli
Joined: August 31, 2013 Posts: 12815 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 7:09 am Post subject: Re: Case of the disappearing brake fluid: Lessons learned |
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Since you are keeping up with an old thread, you REALLY need to install a grommet or a section of rubber hose on the brake line where it passes through the Popes hat on both sides to prevent the line from chafing through. But this line really needs to be replaced anyway.
_________________ Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.
GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!
An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.
Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it. |
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APPLEGREENVW Samba Member
Joined: November 30, 2003 Posts: 2379 Location: Seekonk,Massachusetts USA
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Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 6:31 pm Post subject: Re: Case of the disappearing brake fluid: Lessons learned |
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Here a tip I found from someone on youtube. I can't remember who. Put a plastic spacer around the master cylinder as it goes thru the Napoléon's hat. The next time the MC leaks it will be easier to see the brake fuild behind the pedals or below the MC. _________________ Parts for sale https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=APPLEGREENVW
02/76 Beetle sedan
Last edited by APPLEGREENVW on Tue Jan 22, 2019 6:39 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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VW_Jimbo Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016 Posts: 9879 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 6:36 pm Post subject: Re: Case of the disappearing brake fluid: Lessons learned |
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Not Pope's hat. Napoléon's hat. _________________ 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! |
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