Brake fluid leaking into cab!

[CodePoet]

Hey all...i was on my way to chubfest and I stoped to say goodbye to my fiance...when I came out I noticed brake fluid had dripped down onto the peddal. I can see that it's leaked before by the stain on the rubber floor mat. I stoped by NAPA and asked the dude what he thought, he posturized that it could be something as simple as too much fluid in the master cylinder and it's leaked out around the diaphram in the booster, or there could be a pin hole leak in the diaphram. It might be important to note that my breaks feel totally fine and there is the correct amount of fluid in the master cyliinder! My father and I talked and he things (i'm hoping lol) that it isn't serious enough to warrent skipping the run and that I might be ok if I just carry along a bottle of brake fluid, check it often, and replace if needed. Also I noticed it driped ONLY once if I pushed the brake pedal in with the engine off...I had to drive back to bloomington though (normal stop and go traffic), i've gone back to check and there are no drips. Weird...I was hopping you all could give me some insight, I've been looking forward to chubfest for a month so missing it will be an extreme dissapointment (i'm getting free wheels there too!!!!!). Looking for thoughts.

Thanks!
CP

 

[jrgaylor]

Are you sure it is brake fluid? Awhile back I some fluid drip down on my carpet and pedal and I thought my master cylinder/booster leaking, turned out to be tranny fluid, I had been doing some steep hill climbs and the fluid came up the speedometer cable and into the cab.

 

[CodePoet]

I honestly don't know man haha. I have a manual tranny but haven't been doing any hill climbs or anything. I did notice however when I was under my truck today extending my axle and x-fer case vent hoses a little atf that looked like it had seeped out of the plug, I was able to tighten it up (alittle less than 1/4 turn, closter to 1/8th probably)...it might be a good idea to check the level of the fluid huh! I looked underneath the dash when I noticed the fluid (whatever it might be) and it looked as if it had come down the collumn so it might be that. I would think that the only thing that could cause that to happen would be a bad o-ring on the speedometer sensor thing.

To make 100% sure how to check atf level in a manual tranny I park the explorer on level ground, un-screw the drain plug and make sure the fluid is level with the opening right?

Thanks guys!
CP

BTW: After about 2 hours of sitting after normal stop and go traffic there has not been a single drop of fluid...I put a which paper towel under it and it's still totally clean.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

1)The booster does not have fluid in it.

2) If it is indeed brake fluid, your master cylinder is leaking.

 

[CodePoet]

I know the booster doesn't have fluid in it. I went to NAPA and talked to the dude who said it might be fluid leaking from the master cylinder going throught the booster. Sorry, I was unclear on what he told me. I would think though if the master cylinder was leaking it would be low and I dont' think it is. I opened the resevoir and it was at the top of the little filler neck. I'll check again tomorrow along with the tranny fluid. As long as my fluids are good i think i'll be ok...if there was a hole in that diaphram I would think I would notice the lack of power breaks (if i understand how all that stuff works haha)

THanks!
CP

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Strange indeed. You're right, even the smallest leak of brake fluid would result in reduced or no braking. Clean the fluid up and see if it returns.

 

[CodePoet]

I dried off the brake pedal and put a white paper towel under it...it's been like 4 or 5 hours and not a single drop lol. I'm going to chalk this up to one of my trucks "quirks" for right now.

Later
CP

 

[CodePoet]

Ok everyone I took off the bottom part of the dash so I could see where the fluid was comming from. I couldn't tell what color the fluid was when it was on the floor but now I know it's red...this leads me to only one conculsion, tranny fluid. I have a manual tranny, could this be caused by a bad o-ring or bad speed sensor? It might be important to note that there is a small amount or fluid around the extension housing/drain plug on the tranny which just so happens to be just below the speed sensor. Please let me know!

Thanks
CP

 

[Brain]

Check around the rubber plugs - replace w/ steel if required:
Dead Link Removed

Seems to be a common problem so I would check this out and make sure you don't get stuck someplace where you don't want to stay.

 

[jrgaylor]

See if you can wiggle yorself under the dash to see where the speedo cable goes into the dash unit, and see if you see fluid on it.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

If you have a manual trans, then that red would be Powersteering fluid.