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i have now noticed that to even slow down my car i have to press my pedal almost to the floor (about a foots gap between the floor and the pedal.) Talking to my mom about it (since it used to be hers) she told me this is normal with this car when its this cold and not to worry what do you all think?
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What make/model/year is the car? I would say just from the description of what it’s doing, that it may be low on brakefluid, (did you check?) I have known some cars to only leak from the calipers or slave cyls when it is cold out. Also if the car has a brake booster (power brakes) lift the hood, and with the engine running have someone press the pedal while you listen close to the booster. If you hear a sucking or gasping noise the diaphragm in the booster is probably bad. Hope this helps some..
[quote=”351C” post=47819]What make/model/year is the car? I would say just from the description of what it’s doing, that it may be low on brakefluid, (did you check?) I have known some cars to only leak from the calipers or slave cyls when it is cold out. Also if the car has a brake booster (power brakes) lift the hood, and with the engine running have someone press the pedal while you listen close to the booster. If you hear a sucking or gasping noise the diaphragm in the booster is probably bad. Hope this helps some..[/quote]
2001 daewoo lanos yes it has a booster no i didnt check fluid the BRAKE light isnt on my mom said not to worry. being how loud the engine is i would beable to hear if the booster is bad
Sounds like an excessive amout of pedal travel. first check fluid level in the master cyl. top off if low. next- check under the dash where the brake pedal push rod comes through the fire wall. any wetness there and you have a bad master cyl. you can also pull the vac hose from the brake booster and see if there is any fluid inside the booster. should also check calipers and or wheel cylinders for leaking , as well as all hoses for any signs of moisture /seepage. if you find any leakage repair the prob then bleed the system.
Ok, I would suggest checking the fluid. If it’s just a little low the light won’t come on, But I have had experience with a caliper or slave cyl leaking a little when it was really cold out and then sucking air in (just a little). If you know how, try topping off the brake fluid and bleeding all 4 points, if this firms up your brake pedal then this cold leaking is def the problem.
First off id like to say that this new site layout sucks i like the style just not the design. Second i have to mention it is -3F right now with windchills as high as -35F. Before today this brake thing was not an issue. Makes me believe the cold is at blame here. When it is a tollerable tempature outside i will check my brake fluid but the brakes were done in 2010 so i doubt anything is leaking. If this issue is not better by Spring i will take my car in the shop to have it inspected its gonna cost me $214 for a tyre balance, alignment and diagnostic anyways so might as well mention the brakes.
[quote=”LeoTheLion89″ post=47854]First off id like to say that this new site layout sucks i like the style just not the design. Second i have to mention it is -3F right now with windchills as high as -35F. Before today this brake thing was not an issue. Makes me believe the cold is at blame here. When it is a tollerable tempature outside i will check my brake fluid but the brakes were done in 2010 so i doubt anything is leaking. If this issue is not better by Spring i will take my car in the shop to have it inspected its gonna cost me $214 for a tyre balance, alignment and diagnostic anyways so might as well mention the brakes.[/quote]
When was the last time the brake hydraulics were flushed? If it hasn’t been done in the last 3 years or so, I’d have it done no matter what. This usually isn’t done unless requested by many shops. Your symptoms are making me wonder if the brake fluid has absorbed too much water and that water is freezing in your brake system.
A tester isn’t very expensive at $25.00(at least here in the US) and looks like this:
[quote=”moparfan7008″ post=47859][quote=”LeoTheLion89″ post=47854]First off id like to say that this new site layout sucks i like the style just not the design. Second i have to mention it is -3F right now with windchills as high as -35F. Before today this brake thing was not an issue. Makes me believe the cold is at blame here. When it is a tollerable tempature outside i will check my brake fluid but the brakes were done in 2010 so i doubt anything is leaking. If this issue is not better by Spring i will take my car in the shop to have it inspected its gonna cost me $214 for a tyre balance, alignment and diagnostic anyways so might as well mention the brakes.[/quote]
When was the last time the brake hydraulics were flushed? If it hasn’t been done in the last 3 years or so, I’d have it done no matter what. This usually isn’t done unless requested by many shops. Your symptoms are making me wonder if the brake fluid has absorbed too much water and that water is freezing in your brake system.
A tester isn’t very expensive at $25.00(at least here in the US) and looks like this:
[/quote]
WTF are brake hydraulics? I have no idea if they were ever flushed cars had 4 brake jobs on it since it was 1 year old. Its only got 42300 miles on it. last job was the front brakes in September 2010. Maybe burnouts on ice has something to do with it?
[quote=”LeoTheLion89″ post=47862] WTF are brake hydraulics? I have no idea if they were ever flushed cars had 4 brake jobs on it since it was 1 year old. Its only got 42300 miles on it. last job was the front brakes in September 2010. Maybe burnouts on ice has something to do with it?[/quote]
That’s the part of the brake system that has the fluid in it. Includes reservoir, master cylinder, brake lines, and calipers/slave cylinders. Brake fluid LOVES water and will absorb it from any possible source. Water in the system changes the car’s braking characteristics, often drastically.[quote=”moparfan7008″ post=47865][quote=”LeoTheLion89″ post=47862] WTF are brake hydraulics? I have no idea if they were ever flushed cars had 4 brake jobs on it since it was 1 year old. Its only got 42300 miles on it. last job was the front brakes in September 2010. Maybe burnouts on ice has something to do with it?[/quote]
That’s the part of the brake system that has the fluid in it. Includes reservoir, master cylinder, brake lines, and calipers/slave cylinders. Brake fluid LOVES water and will absorb it from any possible source. Water in the system changes the car’s braking characteristics, often drastically.[/quote]only place i can add fluid is the container connected to the brake booster. my car dont use any fluids i never add oil never add coolant never had brake fluid never added power steering fluid ive never had too levels were always norm
[quote=”LeoTheLion89″ post=47869]
only place i can add fluid is the container connected to the brake booster…..[/quote]
That’s the reservoir.
This is the procedure I’m talking about:If you can’t or don’t wish to do this yourself, I’d have a shop do it. You may be gobsmacked over the difference.
UPDATE FOR ALL:
I WAS LOW ON DOT 3 FLUID. lUCKILY I HAD SOME ON HAND AND I TOPPED IT OFF. iT WAS 1/4 FULL YET NOT LOW ENOUGH TO TRIP THE BRAKE LITE SENSOR. i DIDNT DRIVE IT AFTER I ADDED IT SO I DUNNO IF THAT FIXED IT ILL GET BACK TO EVERYONE WITH ANOTHER UPDATE.
I’m glad it seems to be better but to me it sounded like a master cylinder issue. Keep us posted if things change.
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=48564]I’m glad it seems to be better but to me it sounded like a master cylinder issue. Keep us posted if things change.[/quote]
Well i took the car for a drive a few days after adding fluid. I pumped the brakes to build up pressure it got pressure back but i still have to put the pedal pretty much all the way down to get any response.
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=49137]That sounds like a leak (or air) in the system or a master cylinder issue.[/quote]
I think its my paranoia. My grandpa pressed on the pedal and says its completely normal. I have since realized the brakes are fine. Not sure y i needed fluid maybe ciz its 13 years old not sure.
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