The role of brake fluid is difficult to overestimate: its task is to transfer forces from the main brake mechanism to the wheel cylinders. Failure of this system leads to accidents. The state of the substance that provides braking must be constantly monitored. The system should be checked for leaks. If the brake fluid (TFA) is gone, urgent action is required.
How to check the level of TJ?
Looking under the hood, where a special tank is located, you can check the level. The tank is made of translucent plastic, so that by the marks of the minimum and maximum values it is easy to determine whether the brake fluid has gone or remained in the original amount. In the case of topping, it is better to familiarize yourself with the car's instructions in detail: in some brands where ABS is installed, bleeding is required.
If nevertheless the brake fluid has gone, you should first understand the reasons. In no case should you continue driving.
The tank cracked - what to do first?
Some motorists mistakenly begin to dismantle the entire brake assembly. Calm and visual inspection is the first step towards a successful repair. Wet traces and smudges indicate a decrease in the level of the substance. If a crack is detected, experienced car owners advise immediately replacing the tank - sealing will not help here. What if the incident happened on the route?
First Aid for Crack Detection
The reasons why the brake fluid leaves the tank may be different. This can happen as a result of a car hitting an obstacle. Car service far - what to do? A crack in the path can only be closed to continue driving. Upon arrival at your destination you will have to purchase a new tank. Glue in most cases does not help. Craftsmen recommend using an ordinary 40-watt soldering iron, slightly extending the rod, slightly loosening the top screw. A piece of plastic tape similar to the tank body is cut off. It is soldered and used as a patch. First you need to go through the crack with a soldering iron, then use a strip of prepared plastic.
Replacing the tank on the VAZ-2109
The tank replacement algorithm is simple. The car must be washed outside and in the engine compartment. This should be done manually, preventing moisture from getting on the pads, starter, sensors.
Then you need to lift the car on the jack and clean the threaded connections that you have to deal with. A visual inspection reveals where the brake fluid is going. The reasons for this trouble will also in most cases become clear.
By unscrewing the nuts and disconnecting the wires of the cover, a person gets access to the tank, which must be removed.
Important advice from experienced car owners! To loosen the hose clamps, it is better to unscrew the bolts using pliers.
Clutch hose repair method
One of the common reasons why the clutch brake fluid is gone, experts call the damaged hose, through which the fluid circulates from the reservoir to the clutch.
Effective replacement tips:
- It is necessary to remove the tank itself, removing the clamp from below.
- The hose should be purchased new, preferably red.
- Pull the damaged hose carefully so as not to accidentally break off the plastic fitting.
It is important to prevent fluid from leaking onto the wing or paint. After removing the tank, rinse it with water; clamps are also recommended to be replaced. We install the hose, tighten it without much effort. Remember to tighten the nuts as well.
Masters claim that the hose often wears out. It is necessary to check it periodically and, if damage is detected, replace it with a new one.
Brake cylinder leak
A frequent reason that brake fluid has gone is a leaking cylinder. The appearance of the problem is judged by the spot left under the vehicle. Finding out the cause is easy.
- The wheel will have to be removed, carefully inspect the brake disc.
- The calipers should be checked for leaks.
In the presence of a brake drum system there is an urgent need to remove the drums. The problem involves the wear of rubber seals. Especially often, such troubles await residents of regions with severe frosts.
About the consequences
There can be many answers to the question of where the brake fluid goes from the reservoir. She can go into a vacuum silencer. This indicates a high percentage of worn piston cuffs of the master cylinder. For plain rubber, there is nothing terrible about this. Another issue is the accumulation of funds in the form of a dangling layer. This will lead to an increase in resistance at a high speed of movement of the diaphragm. It is believed that such a situation simply kills the diaphragm. By changing the cuff, the movement will become safe. Sometimes you have to put a repair kit, disassembling the vacuum cleaner.
Some motorists ask if brake fluid can go into the engine. Experts give a negative answer. It can get there only if you confuse the canisters with the liquid.
Symptoms of defects in the brake master cylinder
Rubber seals on the brake master cylinder cause leaks. They become the cause of penetration of the TJ vacuum amplifier. In this situation, replacing the cylinder will save. If a malfunction occurs with the cylinder, the brakes completely fail or do not work correctly. The main difficulty for this part is becoming obsolete brake pads. Diagnostics involves an initial warning of the driver using indicators on the dashboard, checking the pressure in the system. What is the result of the problems that the motorist sees?
- By depressing the pedal, the owner of the steel horse senses his slow stop. The point here is the loss of piston tightness or wear of the cuffs.
- A short pedal stroke means a high concentration of brake fluid, it has nowhere to go due to a clogged hole or a swollen rubber seal.
- There is a pedal failure: the matter is in the liquid rushing into the expansion tank.
Secrets of pumping brakes
Finishing the repair process, the brake system must be pumped. You can do the work yourself or by contacting the service.
- Brake fluid is poured into the reservoir to the max mark.
- Wheel brake fittings need to be cleaned.
- A separate container and hose are taken, attached to the fitting.
The assistant sitting at the wheel should press the accelerator pedal evenly and firmly three times. By pressing for the fourth time, the pedal does not need to be released. The union at this time must be unscrewed and look at the output of the TG. Bubbles in a jet will talk about the air in the system. After air release, the fitting is wrapped, and the process is repeated on another pair of wheels. Observing all the rules of pumping, to the end it is impossible to be sure of the reliability of the result. Experienced motorists recommend not neglecting the services of service stations.
With self-repair, experts advise tilting the car a little towards the wheel in question. In this case, air rises and more likely reaches the threaded valve. Light tapping on the caliper optimizes the process. In addition to the above air discharge technique, there is a technique for adding brake fluid to the power tank. It is difficult to do this, only experienced transport owners can do it. The procedure is not feasible for machines with outflow pressure control valves.
A high risk of incorrect manipulations provoke new breakdowns, get the opposite effect - the appearance of air in the brake system in even greater quantities. Professionals will come to the rescue, they will do the job competently for the optimal time.