I had my brake fluid topped off for years and it was hiding a real problem

For the longest time I just had my mechanic top off the brake fluid whenever it looked low. Thought that was normal maintenance, you know? Turns out on my '72 El Camino the fluid was leaking past the master cylinder seal and into the booster, which is why the level kept dropping. What finally tipped me off was a wet spot behind the pedal bracket and a weird soft pedal feel after a long drive from Austin to San Antonio. I replaced the master cylinder and booster myself last weekend, took about 4 hours total. The old fluid was dark brown and smelled burnt, which I never would have noticed if I hadn't actually pulled it apart. Anyone else ever run a system this long without checking for leaks instead of just adding fluid?

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rubyj113d ago

Funny how topping it off feels like maintenance until it dont. Brake fluid doesnt just disappear, its going somewhere and usually that somewhere is bad news. That burnt smell is a dead giveaway the fluid got hot enough to cook, which means the system was working way too hard for way too long. Good call on doing the master and booster together, doing one without the other is just asking to do it again in six months. Also worth checking the rear wheel cylinders and front calipers while youre in there, those leak too and hide the same way. Keep an eye on that pedal height now, if it sits higher and feels firm right off the bat, you fixed it right.