Brake Fluid Level

[PatCampbell]

I have owned a 1993 Chimaera 400 for almost exactly a year. It is a joint ownership with my father and a great success – we’ve even had it down off the axle stands to drive it a couple times! You can’t beat that feeling (and sound) when you plant you right foot though…

Most of the problems we have managed to just about work out (with a lot of help from old threads on PH!):

We have encountered a bit of baffling braking issue.
- The brake fluid level in the reservoir is steadily falling with time, at a rate of about 50ml per week.
- It doesn’t seem to be appearing anywhere – no puddles on the garage floor and hoses to calipers look fine.
- Looking into the inspection hatch to the inner wing, there are no obvious leaks around the reservoir seals to the master cylinder.
- There is no fluid on the floor of the inner wing when investigating in behind the pedals.
- The fluid level is falling with the car not being driven.

Could it be leaking into the servo from the master cylinder somehow? My experience of braking systems is a bit limited.

I am keen to get someone else to sort this issue for peace of mind the issue is fully sorted.

1. Can anybody suggest what the problem might be, and how best to diagnose it?
2. Can anybody recommend a TVR specialist / competent indie to do the work (if it involves master cylinder/servo replacement for example) in the Southampton area?


Cheers,

Pat

[That Daddy]

Yes it is possible you have fluid leaking from the rear of the master cylinder and into the servo,it may be worth just removing the nuts and pulling the cylinder away from the servo just enough to have a look,about 1/2" should do it,dont ignore the problem because long term if this is happening it will damage/rot the servo diaphragm,may be worth checking the seals where the master cylinder resevoir joins the cylinder as the leak will just drip into the inner wing area and be soaked up by the carpets going unnoticed.