Brake Fluid Query

G-Man · 11 Jun 2012 at 18:38

This will probably seem like a silly question but is there any issue with having the brake fluid filled right to the top of the tank?

Dealer was fixing a burst brake pipe (always fun when a pipe goes within 4 hours of buying the car

) and seems to have filled the tank right to the brim, since theres still a tiny (nowhere near as much as when it was burst) drip coming from the car I'm slightly worried they've overfilled the fluid to hide it still leaking.

It's a 55 plate Vectra diesel (don't shoot me

)

Minstadave · 11 Jun 2012 at 18:41

If you replace the brake pads it'll end up peeing out when you compress the pistons.

G-Man · 11 Jun 2012 at 18:43

Should probably have mentioned, the dealer changed the front pads on Friday (bought the car on Saturday).

So other than it getting messy if the pads are changed anytime soon its not a big deal to be over the max level on the tank?

Perywinkle · 11 Jun 2012 at 18:44

If there is still a leak take it back. You don't want any air being drawn in.

G-Man · 11 Jun 2012 at 18:48

If i become remotely convinced there is still a leak its going straight back, atm i'm thinking its more just the remains from the big leak still dripping off the car since its more like a dribble (can't see anything drip off, only seeing the stain on the road) and the brake pedal actually feels fairly normal.

Theres also the fact that after buying it i decided in my infinite wisdom to fill it with diesel, and i do mean fill it so thats potentially still dripping off

pepsilol · 11 Jun 2012 at 19:14

Do you not have anything to suck a bit out to bring it to max? Turkey baster?

* Off Topic *

My brother in his infiinite wisdom had a mobile mechanic come and do the front pads and discs on his BMW, the resevoir is under the pollen filter so it's hidden away.

The mechanic just changed them and pushed the pistons in without even opening the bonnet.

Suspicions got the better of me and I took a peek, could see the fluid right at the top, some had dribbled out and some was down on the paintwork under the reservoir. I lold.

To make it more amusing I said I would suck it out and bring the level down, I decided to go slow, after about 4 seconds my brother shouts **** this, I can do it quicker and grabs the baster and proceeds to have brake fluid fly out the end all over his wing.

Literally when you think the bar can't get lower it gets pushed lower!

Gaverick · 11 Jun 2012 at 19:16

Just pump the brakes with the engine off until the pedal is solid. Then press down and hold the pedal down with as much force as you can, if the pedal starts sinking you have a leak, if it stays solid and doesn't move then you are fine.

Personally I'd just remove some fluid with a pipette until it's at the max line.

G-Man · 11 Jun 2012 at 19:35

Gaverick said:
Just pump the brakes with the engine off until the pedal is solid. Then press down and hold the pedal down with as much force as you can, if the pedal starts sinking you have a leak, if it stays solid and doesn't move then you are fine.

After doing that there is only a very tiny amount of movement in the pedal, small enough to just be the general looseness of a 7 year old Vauxhall part

Might still drop by the dealer tomorrow and get them to check it.

Gaverick · 11 Jun 2012 at 19:44

Yes with the pedal pumped hard there will still be a small amount of movement in it, it's more that the pedal shouldn't sink under continuous pressure you need to check for.