brake oil leak. what's wrong with this unit?

targis58

I've noticed my brake oil level was getting low too soon after fill up. I looked around under the reservoir and found where the leak was happening. Can you tell me what gets wrong with this unit usually so I can check on it? This unit is located right behind the brake pedal as you can see in the pictures. Thanks in advance.

right side view

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

left side view

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90 westy 2wd w/ TBD

mightyart · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:36 pm Post subject:

That's the clutch master cylinder, if it's leaking you replace it.

targis58 · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:54 pm Post subject:

mightyart · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:59 pm Post subject:

Well if it's leaking out the boot:
http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=251721401A

tangstadt · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:02 pm Post subject:

You can buy a rebuild kit with new o-rings and stuff for about 5 bucks...But you gotta ask yourself one question "do I feel lucky?"

Captain Pike · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:35 pm Post subject:

targis58 · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject:

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50338

I kitted mine not too long ago, but I can't remember where I found the kits. They were pretty cheap, like $10 or $11 apiece for the master and slave. A little hard to get the piston back in with the new seal, but not impossible. Should last as long as new.

?Waldo? · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:46 pm Post subject:

It's hard to tell from the pics exactly where the leak is coming from. If it is coming from the boot on top, then get another clutch master cylinder. If it is leaking from that fitting then the fix could be as simple as a new copper washer on either side of that banjo fitting. Clean that area and watch while the clutch pedal is depressed.

Andrew

targis58 · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:12 am Post subject:

?Waldo? · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:18 am Post subject:

If I'm not mistaken, then the two left bottom holes simply mount the clutch master. The bottom right is the banjo hyd connection and the top rubber fitting is where the fluid enters from the reservoir. I'm pretty sure the two mounting holes were blind and didn't enter the hyd area at all. If you think the fuel is coming from the bottom of those holes, I would clean it off thoroughly and check again. Perhaps it is leaking from the boot area in a non-visible way and collecting at the bolt.

Andrew

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50338

Is it dripping or squirting? If it is actually squirting around a bolt hole then there is a crack or casting flaw and total replacement would be the only option. Replacements are available through many sources.

targis58 · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:41 pm Post subject:

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50338

Since you don't seem real familiar with this part of a car, you would probably be way ahead just to order and install a new master cylinder. Swapping them out is very easy, takes little time, and only a few tools.

?Waldo? · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:56 pm Post subject:

Yes, new clutch master is in order. You'll also want to bleed the system of air after replacement.

Andrew

targis58 · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:01 pm Post subject:

ok! thanks for all your help guys...
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90 westy 2wd w/ TBD

kenmag · Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 5:09 am Post subject:

I recommend an OEM stealership unit. Tried an aftermarket one and it failed after 3 months.
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87GL Westy/suby ej22
87GL tintop/suby ej22
05 Golf TDI
95 jetta GLX

dcaver01 · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:49 pm Post subject:

Looks like I have the same thing going on with my '86 Vanagon, but I am a bit confused. Why would the clutch master cylinder be leaking brake fluid? I checked the reservoir and it was at the min, so I assume the fluid on my carpet is brake fluid. Also, assuming I do need a new clutch master cylinder, should I also go ahead and install a clutch slave cylinder as the busdepot suggests...

"It's been our experience that if your clutch master cylinder has failed, your clutch slave cylinder is not far behind..."

or are they just trying to sell me an extra part?

I'm not very mechanically inclined, but I have been learning alot so far between reading the forums here and looking through my bently manual. Anyway, any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, and in the mean time is it alright to drive? The brakes seem to be working just fine, but if there is a chance the brakes could give out, I would rather keep it parked until I get this fixed.

Thanks!

-Dave

MarkWard · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 1:29 pm Post subject:

Dave, the brakes and clutch share the same resevoir. Should you replace both the clutch master and slave at the same time? I would. They can be a bitch to bleed. Both operate the same amount. If you replace both, you can mark them off your to do list. If you don't mind redoing the clutch bleeding when the slave lays down, then replacing only the defective part is fine.
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dcaver01 · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 1:42 pm Post subject:

rsxsr,
Thanks for the reply, I suppose I will go ahead and replace both. Have you ever replaced either of these parts? If so, how difficult was the job?


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brake oil leak. what's wrong with this unit?
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