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Liquid under Break Master Cylinder

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Old 03-09-2011, 09:21 PM
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van
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Liquid under Brake Master Cylinder

I popped open the hood today and notice some liquid directly under the brake master cylinder. It's a clear, almost looks and feels like water. I check the brake fluid level and it's just a little under max. Could this be a brake fluid leak or could it just be water from outside the engine bay? It's been raining a lot lately. Installed a catch can a couple of weeks ago and screwed it down with one of the bolts on the brake master cylinder, so don't know if that would have anything to do with it.
Attached Thumbnails Liquid under Break Master Cylinder-bmc-liquid1.jpg   Liquid under Break Master Cylinder-bmc-liquid2.jpg   Liquid under Break Master Cylinder-bmc-liquid3.jpg  

Last edited by van; 03-11-2011 at 03:30 AM.
Old 03-09-2011, 09:27 PM
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does the liquid smell? brake fluid has a pretty interesting smell to it. Will quickly tell you if it is water or not
Old 03-09-2011, 09:32 PM
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I put my fingers in it and I couldn't smell anything, had no odor.
Old 03-09-2011, 09:35 PM
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You would smell it if it was brake fluid and you touched it.

Last edited by HaydonGS; 03-10-2011 at 05:31 PM.
Old 03-09-2011, 09:38 PM
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I dipped my fingers in it and smelled my fingers, and couldn't detect any odor. I cleaned it up with a paper towels, and couldn't smell any odor from the drenched wet paper towels. Does brake fluid have a very strong odor? Also, does brake fluid have an oily feel to it, or watery? The liquid I just cleaned up looks and feels like water, with no odor, so I'm thinking it's just water - although I don't know how water could of gotten in there.

Last edited by van; 03-09-2011 at 09:47 PM.
Old 03-10-2011, 12:00 PM
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Sounds like water..or window washer fluid

....check to see if the nozzle or the hose is leaking
Old 03-10-2011, 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by van
I dipped my fingers in it and smelled my fingers, and couldn't detect any odor. I cleaned it up with a paper towels, and couldn't smell any odor from the drenched wet paper towels.
I wouldnt worry about it. Seems like its safe.
Old 03-10-2011, 12:08 PM
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Originally Posted by van
I dipped my fingers in it and smelled my fingers, and couldn't detect any odor. I cleaned it up with a paper towels, and couldn't smell any odor from the drenched wet paper towels. Does brake fluid have a very strong odor? Also, does brake fluid have an oily feel to it, or watery? The liquid I just cleaned up looks and feels like water, with no odor, so I'm thinking it's just water - although I don't know how water could of gotten in there.
Lol you could always dip your fingers in the res for the brake fluid to compare if you really wanted to. But yes it would have a different consistancy than water and would smell like sweaty grundle
Old 03-10-2011, 05:24 PM
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There is a drain for rain near the master cylinder and it could be backed up.
Old 03-10-2011, 05:27 PM
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Break=as in take a break or go break something

Brake=brakes on a car
Old 03-10-2011, 05:33 PM
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Just by looking at your pics I can tell you for a fact that that is not brake fluid....

brake fluid has a yellowish twing to it, that liquid is clear. Also brake fluid has a consistency more like oil and will not puddle up like that, it would rather stain anything it comes in contact with. If the brake fluid was leaking, you would see a stain coming from the joint where the master cylinder mates with the power booster.


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Last edited by Grungepup; 03-10-2011 at 05:39 PM.
Old 03-11-2011, 03:27 AM
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Originally Posted by HaydonGS
There is a drain for rain near the master cylinder and it could be backed up.
That could be it. But where exactly is the drain located?

Originally Posted by Grungepup
Just by looking at your pics I can tell you for a fact that that is not brake fluid....
Thanks for clarifying. I kinda figured it was water, seeing as the brake fluid level never budged since the last time it was filled. Now trying to figure out where this water is coming from, and if I should even worry about it.

Originally Posted by dannobre
Sounds like water..or window washer fluid check to see if the nozzle or the hose is leaking
The window washer fluid tank is on the opposite side. I've also never used the washer fluid in months, so I don't see how it could be washer fluid.
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