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RunnerGimp Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2015 Posts: 4
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Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 1:49 pm Post subject: HELP-1990 Vanagon Westy needs Brake Master Cylinder |
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I was told if I posted HELP in all caps, someone might be able to help me since I'm in distress. I'm at High Country Bus Festival, and my brake fluid started leaking on my foot while coming here. People have looked at it and said that is what I need. Unfortunately there is not one to be had anywhere close or to even have delivered. Thought I'd try here as a last resort to see if anyone was in the area of Crumpler, NC and had one so we could switch it out and I could get home safely.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Shannon |
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Igeo Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2018 Posts: 888 Location: Oakland, CA
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Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 2:15 pm Post subject: Re: HELP-1990 Vanagon Westy needs Brake Master Cylinder |
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Can't advise on local help, but there is a plastic nipple right side of the reservoir that can break and leak. It supplies fluid to the clutch hydraulics. Pop the cover off the instrument cluster and give the master and reservoir of good look. There is a hose leading off the nipple. This is for a manual trans, so I guess they would have that fitting plugged or something for an automatic. Check either way. Hopefully that's all it is and you can make a field repair. Otherwise, I hope someone can help you. _________________ 1987 Westfalia 2.1 WBX Manual |
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MarkWard Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 17153 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 2:19 pm Post subject: Re: HELP-1990 Vanagon Westy needs Brake Master Cylinder |
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A knowledgeable friend should be there with a Burgandy Vanagon camper. His name is Kai. I’d have him look at it. It’s highly unlikely it’s the actual master cylinder leaking on your foot. When they leak, it goes into the sealed booster. The reservoir or the reservoir seals may be the leak. They could be temporarily resealed. If this is a manual, the clutch hydraulics share the brake reservoir. An experienced set of eyes is what you need. Knowing Kai, he may have a spare master. _________________ ☮️ |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32625 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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cmayna Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2014 Posts: 1148 Location: SF Bay area, CA
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Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2021 7:13 am Post subject: Re: HELP-1990 Vanagon Westy needs Brake Master Cylinder |
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Hopefully you will find someone there in the group, with enough knowledge to help you do a temp fix to get home. Keep us posted. _________________ '90 Westy / automatic.
If I'm not working on the camper or my '50 Chebbie truck, I'm either fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
Craig |
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RunnerGimp Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2015 Posts: 4
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Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2021 4:28 pm Post subject: Re: HELP-1990 Vanagon Westy needs Brake Master Cylinder |
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Thanks all! It's been looked at and is definitely the master brake cylinder. The res. is still over half full so they think I'll be okay to drive it home. I'm getting towed to the bottom of the mountain for safety and will drive home from there.
I met Kai!
Thanks again everyone! |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32625 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Igeo Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2018 Posts: 888 Location: Oakland, CA
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Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2021 5:45 pm Post subject: Re: HELP-1990 Vanagon Westy needs Brake Master Cylinder |
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I just had a master go out on me. Mine leaked internally so the pedal was soft. If is a slow external leak, and you have a good solid pedal, you'll be fine. Drive way ahead though. _________________ 1987 Westfalia 2.1 WBX Manual |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32625 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Jennybenny Samba Member
Joined: May 12, 2019 Posts: 54 Location: NYC
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Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2022 6:57 pm Post subject: Re: HELP-1990 Vanagon Westy needs Brake Master Cylinder |
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Bumping an old thread.
Yesterday after my 1989 was siitting for a couple of weeks in freezing / near freezing weather over the holidays, I got in my and saw liquid on the floor mat. I thought my wife had moved the vehicle, with a little snow on her shoes, to avoid a parking ticket (nyc) and it was just melted water, so we started on our trip.
I get out a couple of blocks later to pull the parking ticket off the windshield (nyc) and notice the sole of my shoe is slick. Go back in, yep that’s brake fluid. Cuss swear shake my head and load out the family and take the train to our destination.
Today I took the instrument cluster out and lowered the fuse panel. No leaks I can find but the inside (upward facing part of the steering column cover) is damp. Check around every in and out of the master cylinder but it is dry. Fluid level is at max.
Any ideas where to look? I couldn’t see the back side (fire wall) side of anything.
1989 auto with Subaru 2.5
1-2year old big brakes up front, disc on back (prior owner)
Master cylinder looked new as did the reservoir
No leaks at various fittings for electronic components
Reservoir looked to have factory sealed / blanked barb on passenger side for manual trans - area was dry
Likely first time vehicle has seen below freezing for any period since rebuild.
Brakes felt fine
No drips while it warmed up for 10 minutes or drove a couple of blocks
Jason
quote="djkeev"]Just wondering, have you had a chance to get parts and fix your leak?
I am really curious where the fluid was coming from.
Dave[/quote] |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9810 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2022 7:35 pm Post subject: Re: HELP-1990 Vanagon Westy needs Brake Master Cylinder |
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Jennybenny wrote: |
...my 1989 was sitting for a couple of weeks in freezing / near freezing weather over the holidays... |
Sometimes leaks will occur in very cold temps then 'magically' disappear when things are a bit warmer.
I would clean everything up and be vigilant looking for a recurrence. That lower steering shroud is no help as it can actually delay the discovery of a small leak. |
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