Cayman and Break disk leak???

[NA55]

Ok, I have a strange yet worrying issue... would really appreciate peoples thoughts and assistance. Recently had my car serviced which included the brake fluid change... now before I go any further would like to mention i know nothing about brakes etc...

this morning when i was giving the car a look over i noticed that the brake calliper (the red thing) had the black nozzle thing open and some fluid had leaked, i then replaced the nozzle (see pics) and took the car for a drive... the brakes seemed fine but i am no expert, after the short 20 mile drive parked up only to notice that the black nozzle cap was once again open. A little worried now as not entirely sure how much of the fluid is leaking, it being the brakes i am very concerned about driving the car with any confidence... any ideas?




BRAKES... not breaks, i am so worried i cant remember how to spell

[mollytherocker]

First job is clean it all off with hot soapy water! The fluid will damage the paint on your wheels!

Then nip the nut up and see if it was loose. I doubt it though.

MTR

[Pugley]

As MTR says - get that stuff off your wheels QUICKLY or the paint will peel/discolour.

Has anyone done service work on the brakes recently as it certainly looks like a loose bleed nipple? If you dont know much about hydraulic brakes take it to someone who does as your life depends on being able to stop the car!

[y2blade]

Definitely looks like it is weeping from the bleed nipple, get a open ended spanner on it and feel it...be careful not to over-tighten it though.

As other have said, get all the fluid cleaned off the rim and paint ASAP

[xmrichar]

Hydraulic brakes have (wait for it!) hydraulic fluid in the pipes to transmit the force on the pedal to the pistons in the brake calliper. The fluid won't compress, but any air bubbles in it will, giving a "spongey" feel to the pedal. So when you change the fluid, you need to get all the air bubbles out, known as bleeding (just like bleeding the air from a radiator in your house). You bleed the brakes through the bleed nipples (what these are), clipping a pipe on the end to catch the fluid that inevitably comes out with the bubbles of air, hence the "nipple" bit, which should have a dust cap on it. If your dust cap keeps coming off like that, it suggests it's being pushed off by fluid coming out of the nipples, which is bad!

As others have said, most likely cause is that the bleed nipple has not been tightened up properly after the bleeding that will have been needed after your fluid change. Try tweaking it gently to see if there's any obvious play, but don't gorilla it up as shearing one off is bad... Even if this fixes the problem, I'd take it straight back to the place that did the work and get them to check everything else is done up right!

Martin

PS apologies if your granny can in fact suck eggs, but you did say you didn't know a lot about brakes, where as I have been there and snapped off the seized bleed nipple :-(

PPS brake fluid is nasty stuff when not in the right place, ie inside brake lines. Don't get it on your skin or on paint - wear latex/nitrile gloves when you're cleaning the caliper!

[NA55]

xmrichar said:

PS apologies if your granny can in fact suck eggs, but you did say you didn't know a lot about brakes, where as I have been there and snapped off the seized bleed nipple :-(

Thanks for all the great advice... Got the fluid cleaned
Definitely seems to be exact symptoms you have stated (i.e. nipple cap comes off after a good drive). As a result w I'll leave it standing and get the local OPC to take a look at it next weekend. Unfortunately cant take it to the OPC that did the work due to distance.

Certainly makes you think if the OPC network are worth the money you pay as this seems to be a simple thing to get right... Oh well

[DC5TEG]

I'd go with a loose bleed nipple, constant leaking is making it pretty slidy in there, hence why your black cap is coming loose.

Have you checked your brake fluid level??

Nip it up as stated, if that don't work, your needing a new bleed nipple fitted. Back to OPC asap!!, but in meantime, nip up yourself. The brake system will need a full bleed again FYI.

[khushy]

NIP dont overtighten!

[NA55]

thanks again... will try to see if i can play around with the nipple firmness - normally have no complaints in that department
At the moment have no tools whatsoever so will see if I can find some and try during the week. I have also sent a mail to service dept at OPC with my concerns as the brake fluid is also between the max and min mark, I would assume after a recent change in fluid it should be nearer the max range

On the bright side with each fault i learn a little more about how things work, or dare I say - should work :P

[DC5TEG]

NA55 said:

it should be nearer the max range

:P

Yip, should be at the Max after a fluid change. Seen this several times before, nipples just not been nipped up tight enough. Should be an easy fix mate!! But as you say, its how you learn, and you'll no what to look for next time!!