Ranger losing brake fluid - help!

"Jcarr" (jcarr) 11/18/2014 at 21:03 • Filed to: Brakes, Ford Ranger

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I've got a '96 Ranger 2.3 that has been consuming brake fluid for a month or so.

It's just a beater that we use occasionally to haul stuff so most of the time it just sits. Our street was repaved this summer so it's nice and clean and I don't see any signs of leakage on the ground. The fluid is definitely going somewhere though because I'll add a bit, it'll improve for a few days, but then the pedal progressively gets soft again.

Any idea what's happening?

bob and john > Jcarr 11/18/2014 at 21:08

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leak in a line somewhere you wouldnt thing. (near the back of the car)

or a leak above something VERY hot and it simply evaporates before it can hit the ground.

whoarder is tellurium > Jcarr 11/18/2014 at 21:09

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Check behind the master cylinder going into the vacuum booster. If its not an actual brake line leak, the soft pedal means the piston cup seals are bad and its possibly escaping out the back (in this case). Also, if you've got drum brakes... those need to be inspected for leaks too.

BrownMiataDieselWagon > Jcarr 11/18/2014 at 21:10

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Are you sure it's not leaking? If it doesn't leak and you're losing brake fluid then your car is possessed.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Jcarr 11/18/2014 at 21:11

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Could be an internal leak, did you check your booster?

Jcarr > bob and john 11/18/2014 at 21:11

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It's parked on brand new smooth asphalt and I don't see any signs of fluid on the ground.

Nibby > Jcarr 11/18/2014 at 21:11

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Aww man. I came here with advice for blinker fluid, but brake fluid is a whole nother story.

Jcarr > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 11/18/2014 at 21:12

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I haven't but I will.

bob and john > Jcarr 11/18/2014 at 21:14

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hmm. seals are starting to god bad on the brake booster? wouldnt cause your symtoms....

try flushing it and if that helps. Maybe a blockage or something is causing it to act really funny. dunno why it would consume fluid though....

Jcarr > Nibby 11/18/2014 at 21:14

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I know, if only it were as simple as blinker fluid. That I just topped off ;)

Takuro Spirit > Jcarr 11/18/2014 at 21:15

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Check the insides of the rear wheels. If the rear wheel cylinders are leaking, but not TOO bad, fluid will accumulate in the drums and get slung away (same thing inside the wheels) before if hits the ground. Or ya might see a little trail of fluid going down the inside sidewall of the tire...

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Jcarr 11/18/2014 at 21:18

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The leak could be in the master cylinder as well, so don't forget to check it too.

MINISQL > Jcarr 11/19/2014 at 03:01

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Check behind the driver's side floor mats along the firewall. Sounds like a master cylinder leak and if its not going outside, it has to be going inside. Also check for blinker fluid contamination, sometimes it runs up into that reservoir...

orcim > Jcarr 11/19/2014 at 03:07

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Echoing others, here.

You're losing fluid. It's a line that will not leave a leak unless under pressure (which means when you're driving - parked, no problem) or it's dissipating while driving through the system - most likely a drum brake cylinder in the rear, or faulty front disc seals on one wheel. Inspection of each wheel should show if something is going on there and if not, then a line inspection. (I've got 4 late model cars I maintain, and the master cylinder has been the least problematic piece. Your mileage may vary, however. It could be that.)

Bottom line: the fluid is going somewhere. Find it. Yeah, that might mean getting on the old clothes and crawling on the ground. Get over that, because brakes are important.

orcim > Takuro Spirit 11/19/2014 at 03:11

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Just had this happen. Big bang 1/2 mile from home, squishy brakes, but got it in the driveway. The noise was very quadrant centered. Took it apart and the recently replaced new cylinder had totally failed, soaking the pads and letting them, uhm, "disassociate" from the metal foundation. Quite a noise and mess.

Jcarr > MINISQL 11/19/2014 at 08:48

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Jeez, I hope not. I just changed my blinker fluid! I used the expensive synthetic stuff too!