1984 Cutlass master cylinder/brake problem

[Veltboy618]

My car has been sitting for almost a year.

I go outside get it started & start checking everything when I see that the master cylinder is empty in the front section. I know I have an leak somewhere in the brake system but does that mean it's somewhere in the front by the front section on the master cylinder being empty

. I'm just trying to figure out where to start looking for the problem.

 

[Oldsmoletick]

I believe the front section is actually for the rear brakes, just throw a bit of fluid in, pump the brakes and find the wet spot.

 

[Veltboy618]

Thanks for the reply. I filled it up pumped the brakes up & drove it around for a while. i didnt see any leaks so kept driving my car & forgot about it. My brakes have not been stopping like they are supposed to so I checked the fluid lastnight & now the fronf section was empty again. I checked the calipers, wheel cylinders & the lines along the frame but I didnt find anything. The only other thng I can think of is the master cylinder is leaking somewhere but I dont see anything. If it is the MC leaking ,where should I look for the leaking fluid?

 

[pontiacgp]

it's probably leaking at the wheel cylinder so take the drums off and have a look

 

[78_oldcruiser]

if it is the mc it will be leaking where the mc/booster come together. first make sure the top is on good and tight(figure you will but have to put that out there first lol) next get printer paper and put 2 pieces down under each wheel where the brakes are, then put a few in the engine bay under the mc and booster. crank car and let idel til warm then start pumping breaks while in park then put in gear and hold brakes down then in park pump breaks again. do this for about 10 mins and then put in park and check all the printer paper around wheels and under mc and booster. if you see nothing there its got to be the drunkin break fluid fairy lol.

 

[78_oldcruiser]

wow i was late on this one lol oh well good advice for others anyways

 

[Veltboy618]

if it is the mc it will be leaking where the mc/booster come together. first make sure the top is on good and tight(figure you will but have to put that out there first lol) next get printer paper and put 2 pieces down under each wheel where the brakes are, then put a few in the engine bay under the mc and booster. crank car and let idel til warm then start pumping breaks while in park then put in gear and hold brakes down then in park pump breaks again. do this for about 10 mins and then put in park and check all the printer paper around wheels and under mc and booster. if you see nothing there its got to be the drunkin break fluid fairy lol.

LOL. Thanks for the input. I'm about to go do that now

 

[pontiacgp]

it can't be the MC since the fluid from the rear brake reservoir cannot leak down the pushrod to the brake booster. it has no place to go......since you said it's not leaking anywhere then save yourself some time and remove the rear brake drums and look at the wheel cylinders

 

[Veltboy618]

I checked the cylinders & it wasnt them

I drove the car around for a while then let it sit on some cardboard while i was at work. When I came out I found the leak along the drivers side frame under the door going to the rear brakes.

 

[Brick442]

I've seen odd things happen with the master cylinders. I had a MC leak, and most of it went into the brake booster (the brake fluid had worn out the rubber diaphragm on the booster). I actually had fluid in the booster. It was a brand new MC too . . . defective.