Zelda's Leaking... At the front!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 · 22 Oct 2011, 1:31 pm

#868108

it all started yesterday. Pulled out of the driveway and headed to school.

Got a phone call from Mum, saying that Zelda had leaked. I knew she had an oil leak, that was no dramas, but this, this was weird. She said it was at the front of the car!

My first thought was that maybe brake fluid was leaking. But I'm not 100% sure this is the case.

I took these photos. You can see the puddle (second puddle made, parked in different spot) and where the leak is coming from. Now, is that the brake master cylinder?

Sorry about the poor quality images, I have nothing to raise Zelda high enough to get under there properly and nor do I have my DSLR anymore. Phone camera photos.

Any help in figuring out what this issue is is appreciated, and I'd love to know what to do to fix it. She's ready for a service though, that's for sure.

The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 22 Oct 2011, 1:42 pm

#868111

It's brake fluid.
Looks like the rear reservoir feed is leaking, they look to be the original blue ones so they have probably started to split.

It's pretty common, mine did the exact same thing about 10 years ago.

SebastienPeek Custom Title Time!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 · 22 Oct 2011, 1:49 pm

#868112

Joel!

Any tips on what I should do next? Should I be driving her around still, should I replace the whole brake master cylinder to a dual circuit in anticipation for four disc brake setup, or should I source some new feeds?

Thanks again!

The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 22 Oct 2011, 3:32 pm

#868124

that looks like a super beetle front end...

but I can only see one brake fluid inlet hose pipe...???

and one brake switch...??

My 68 beetle has twin feed in hoses/pipes and twin brake switches...

My brake hoses are blue .. and cost a packet about 8 years ago.. was hard to find..??

I thought they were all blue hose.. [special rubber] Joel..

I would buy a new master cylinder... IMHO...

but if its just the feed hose leaking...

You can just cut the old hose off and fit a new piece of hose.. and replace all later on..

cheers

LEE

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- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 22 Oct 2011, 4:14 pm

#868127

SebastienPeek wrote:Joel!

Any tips on what I should do next? Should I be driving her around still, should I replace the whole brake master cylinder to a dual circuit in anticipation for four disc brake setup, or should I source some new feeds?

Thanks again!

It already is dual circuit.
I would clean the area up real well so you can isolate whats leaking.
But you can tell by the wet area it's the back feed leaking.
Either the rubber hose or the rubber grommet.

If you're gonna keep driving it which i wouldnt recommend. keep and eye on your brake fluid level!!

I backed mine out of the garage one day and had a pool of oil underneath and the same wet area around the master cylinder.

It was the blue hose leaking so I replaced it and it's been fine since.
That said i have a brand new mastercylinder sitting here to go in mine is just starting to weap through the pedal end.

The "blue hose" is a contentious issue.
Some say it's specialised hose for brake fluid and don't use anything but.

In a rush to get mine fixed up I just used some rubber fuel hose and 11 years later it's still there and not leaking.

Lee the rear feed is behind the fuel hose.
It's a replacement mastercylinder, the originals had two switches.
The plug off the second one is hanging there loose.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 22 Oct 2011, 5:19 pm

#868139

Hi

OK Joel

I wondered what the wire/plug was.. etc...

and OK about the brake hose...

well, I don't use cotton covered fuel or vacuum hose as I don't like the way it can hide cracks etc...

but was led to believe that You had to use it because of the brake fluid..
whatever You used must have been OK...

I know some hoses go very soft with contact with oil..
but there are many different compounds about...

no counting the expensive Blue hoses used these days in cars with turbos etc...
although I came across all sorts of heater hoses a couple of days ago and they were all blue colored and NOT expensive...

cheers

LEE

PS: I had My original master cylinder lined with a stainless steel sleeve so it should last some time....
still have a spare... lol

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---