brake fluid leak

[mojobaby]

I would be grateful for some expert advice.

Is it at all possible for brake fluid to exit the back of the master cylinder, go through the bulkhead hole where the brake pedal pushrod is located and enter the inside of the car?

I initially thought it was water but now I suspect brakefluid. I don't know how to tell the difference. It's actually run down underneath the rubber foot mat.

I could take a photo if necessary.........

 

[malcolm]

It means the seals in the master cylinder have failed. Easiest fix is to fit a new one.

 

[jonigel]

Malcolm is correct,but you should wash the floor as it will lift the piant,it is better than paint stripper!

 

[mojobaby]

Thanks Malcolm and Jonigel! Unfortunately the damage has been done already and the paint has disappeared!
I noticed the problem a few months ago but I thought it was water from my windscreen, and I thought that I had solved the problem.
I topped up the brakefluid about a month ago and now its back on Minimum, so we know where its going now.

 

[mojobaby]

I've removed my master brake cylinder and ready to order from Franzose!!

I have a 1980 R1128 GTL with VIN no:45100

I can't see much difference between the following cylinders from Franzose. They both look pretty similar to me, except one says for disc brakes. I have drums all around.
I'm tempted to go for no: 84075 but just thought I'd check with you guys first!

http://www.franzose.de/en/Renault/R4/Hauptbremszylinder/ANR84077/
http://www.franzose.de/en/Renault/R4/Hauptbremszylinder/ANR84075/


I need those screw in adapters where the brake lines enter, but I suppose I could use the old ones.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[montenegro]

before you order take a look at www.oscaro.com prices may be cheaper ? I can give you a link to the page if you let me have yr e mail

 

[mojobaby]

@ Montenegro thanks a lot, just sent you a PM

 

[malcolm]

Ebay is quite good for master cylinders. There aren 't any adapters - the unions are fitted onto the brake pipe before the pipe is flared - needs a flaring tool.

 

[billythefish]

Best idea is to get the reference number from the side of the old brake cylinder because there are quite a few and they don't always fit.
I have a brand new one I bought and it didn't fit which is still sitting in a box in my garage.

 

[mojobaby]

The number is 491. I took a photo of it as well.

@Malcolm The unions are still on the brake lines, above the flare.
In the photo, you can see that they screw into those adapters which in turn, screw into the master cylinder.

Thats why I'm confused with the Franzose photos . Only one of them seems to have those screw in adapters. Other than that they're identical in shape and size

 

[mojobaby]

Der Franzose have replied to me and advise that I order part 84075, which is what I originally thought. It's nice to have confirmation.
My life is complicated enough without receiving the wrong part!

Thanks to everyone for their help and advice

 

[mojobaby]

Here's a photo of my new master cylinder compared to the old one.

I'm not quite sure if the old one was a genuine Renault part, but you can see that the brake line unions screw into the adapters, one of which I've removed for the photo.

The new part has smaller openings, so the unions can be screwed directly into them.

I've been wracking my brain to find a reason for the adapters and the only answer I can come up with is that some brake lines might be a different diameter, each fitted with it's own adapter. In other words, the same master cylinder could fit a variety of hose diameters.