HELP! Brake Leak on Mayne Island!!

[jthom]

The situation: My brakes stopped working yesterday here on Mayne Island. After refilling my brake fluid (it was totally empty), the brakes still only work when the pedal is completely floored (someone mentioned this is because air has leaked into the brake line?), and I'm losing fluid at a medium-pace from somewhere near my right front tire.

I am scheduled to leave the island tomorrow (saturday) night for vancouver, but I'm not sure if it is safe to drive the van like this.
I haven't yet found a mechanic on the island who can take a look at it.

Can anyone tell me whether I'd be okay to drive it as is to Butch's shop based on the info I've given? Any other advice?

Thanks,
Jesse

[thedjjack]

safe to drive no.

You need to stop the leak and bleed all air from the system.

If it is rubber hose failing if you hit the brakes hard and it fails you will have very little brakes working in the back if you are lucky.

[jthom]

Thanks for the response.

I've determined that the leak is actually fairly slow - I'd have to top it up about once every 2 hours to keep it over the MIN line.

My next question is, if I drain the air out of the system to get my brakes back, is it just a matter of making sure I keep the brake fluid topped up as I drive to the shop?

In other words, am I fairly safe to drive to the shop with a slow brake fluid leak if the air has been drained out and I make sure to keep the level topped up?


Thanks again.
:)

[fexlboi]

Can you determine where the fluid is exactly coming from?

[Golf Cart]

Sounds like you'll be a walk on at the ferry tomorrow - chances are there isnt anyone on Mayne ( cept Maybe Kevin Dean if he's still around) that can fix it up to drive. Not a good idea to try and drive if its leaking.

Remember, if fluid is coming out that means air is getting in

[Artacoma]

I blew a brake line 2 weeks ago , got home using my e brake.
Midas Muffler Colwood fixed it up for me. Took 1/2 day to get the new line (montero spec) at 3pm I was good to go.

[jessef]

If you have good e-brake shoes on the rear, you can 'limp' slowly to your destination however driving with a known fluid leak at one of the hoses can result in ZERO brakes and the possibility that you won't be able to stop.

If you are not comfortable driving it with the knowledge that anytime those brakes will not stop the van and are not confident to drive with an e-brake, I would get it towed.

Towing will be peanuts compared to a non-functioning brake when it's needed.