If it ain't broke..... Doh !
Discussion
Hi Y'all,
I was just checking all the levels on Black Beauty when I realised I had no idea where the Brake and Clutch reservoirs were. Now I had seen 'that reservoir' under the rear bonnet cover on the driver's side but had left it to previous service technicians to deal with.
Now, after finding so many essential issues missed in previous services, I am doing a double-check before off to Spa and I wondered what that Res. was for ? As it has current-carrying cables attached to it I thought it would be brakes but as I approached it I became confused.
The housing has this nipple on top.....
and underneath there is this plunger....
whne I picked up the plunger a little, nothing looked untoward....
When I unscrew the outer reatining cap of the unit everything appears to be full of oil so my questions are:-
1) When do you know that you need oil
2) What should you be checking to see that you need oil
3) Is this really the brake system ?
Sorry to be so dull but any of your opinions (!?) would be gratefully received.
Thenks,
PJ
I was just checking all the levels on Black Beauty when I realised I had no idea where the Brake and Clutch reservoirs were. Now I had seen 'that reservoir' under the rear bonnet cover on the driver's side but had left it to previous service technicians to deal with.
Now, after finding so many essential issues missed in previous services, I am doing a double-check before off to Spa and I wondered what that Res. was for ? As it has current-carrying cables attached to it I thought it would be brakes but as I approached it I became confused.
The housing has this nipple on top.....
and underneath there is this plunger....
whne I picked up the plunger a little, nothing looked untoward....
When I unscrew the outer reatining cap of the unit everything appears to be full of oil so my questions are:-
1) When do you know that you need oil
2) What should you be checking to see that you need oil
3) Is this really the brake system ?
Sorry to be so dull but any of your opinions (!?) would be gratefully received.
Thenks,
PJ
Thats the brake fluid reservoir, and, er, the yellow cap isn't supposed to come off!
If the fluid drops too low that plunger drops and makes a circuit to put a red warning light on.
The whole black cap unscrews to allow you to top up. The level does fall as the brake pads wear - but I'd avoid topping it up too high as otherwise when you fit new pads fluid can come out the top of the reservoir as the brake pistons are pushed back to make way for the new pads.
Brake fluid severely damages paintwork (well more removes it really
).
Edited to say carefully get a clean cloth, kitchen roll or something and remove that dried brown crud being careful not to let it fall into the reservoir.
If the fluid drops too low that plunger drops and makes a circuit to put a red warning light on.
The whole black cap unscrews to allow you to top up. The level does fall as the brake pads wear - but I'd avoid topping it up too high as otherwise when you fit new pads fluid can come out the top of the reservoir as the brake pistons are pushed back to make way for the new pads.
Brake fluid severely damages paintwork (well more removes it really
).Edited to say carefully get a clean cloth, kitchen roll or something and remove that dried brown crud being careful not to let it fall into the reservoir.
Edited by Barkychoc on Friday 2nd October 21:08
That's the brake master cylinder.
You're not supposed to just take the yellow bit off. You're supposed to disconnect the electrical connector and then unscrew the whole cap (the bit with "Ford" embossed on it).
Then look inside - it shouldn't be full right up, maybe about an inch below the bottom of the neck. If it's too low, put more in. If it's empty, putting more in won't be enough - you'll have air in the system and it will have to be bled through.
Remember (if it's not too obvious) it's not just "oil" - you need to use proper brake fluid.
ETA and Barkychoc's a faster typer than me, evidently.
You're not supposed to just take the yellow bit off. You're supposed to disconnect the electrical connector and then unscrew the whole cap (the bit with "Ford" embossed on it).
Then look inside - it shouldn't be full right up, maybe about an inch below the bottom of the neck. If it's too low, put more in. If it's empty, putting more in won't be enough - you'll have air in the system and it will have to be bled through.
Remember (if it's not too obvious) it's not just "oil" - you need to use proper brake fluid.
ETA and Barkychoc's a faster typer than me, evidently.
Edited by tvrgit on Friday 2nd October 21:10
tvrgit said:
Remember (if it's not too obvious) it's not just "oil" - you need to use proper brake fluid.
.... and the same fluid as is already in there. Full flush would be my advice before a track day. Buy an eazibleed and 2l of the cerbera recommended dot fluid, I know not if we use dot4 or dot5.1 - I've not had to touch mine yet
billy no brakes said:
Hi
I do not want to should horrible hear but do you not have the owners handbook as this will show you what and where all the resevoirs and fuses etc might bw worth taking with you
My handbook is for a 4.2 that came out of the Ark I think. I do not want to should horrible hear but do you not have the owners handbook as this will show you what and where all the resevoirs and fuses etc might bw worth taking with you
It certainly doesn't have all the reservoir positions that my model has.
Thanks for the tip tho'
Mr.Cerbera said:
billy no brakes said:
Hi
I do not want to should horrible hear but do you not have the owners handbook as this will show you what and where all the resevoirs and fuses etc might bw worth taking with you
My handbook is for a 4.2 that came out of the Ark I think. I do not want to should horrible hear but do you not have the owners handbook as this will show you what and where all the resevoirs and fuses etc might bw worth taking with you
It certainly doesn't have all the reservoir positions that my model has.
Thanks for the tip tho'
Tanguero said:
Mr.Cerbera said:
billy no brakes said:
Hi
I do not want to should horrible hear but do you not have the owners handbook as this will show you what and where all the resevoirs and fuses etc might bw worth taking with you
My handbook is for a 4.2 that came out of the Ark I think. I do not want to should horrible hear but do you not have the owners handbook as this will show you what and where all the resevoirs and fuses etc might bw worth taking with you
It certainly doesn't have all the reservoir positions that my model has.
Thanks for the tip tho'
well we are talking about two different books then. My 'owners handbook' is Issue 3 and on page 25 the Chapter is 'Instrumentation' and it is the page dealing with the gear lever and the Immobiliser Disarm Receptacle.
I would, therefore, be very grateful if you could send me a pdf of what you have. I will send a mail
Ta very much
Mr.Cerbera said:
Tanguero said:
Mr.Cerbera said:
billy no brakes said:
Hi
I do not want to should horrible hear but do you not have the owners handbook as this will show you what and where all the resevoirs and fuses etc might bw worth taking with you
My handbook is for a 4.2 that came out of the Ark I think. I do not want to should horrible hear but do you not have the owners handbook as this will show you what and where all the resevoirs and fuses etc might bw worth taking with you
It certainly doesn't have all the reservoir positions that my model has.
Thanks for the tip tho'
well we are talking about two different books then. My 'owners handbook' is Issue 3 and on page 25 the Chapter is 'Instrumentation' and it is the page dealing with the gear lever and the Immobiliser Disarm Receptacle.
I would, therefore, be very grateful if you could send me a pdf of what you have. I will send a mail
Ta very much
stuthemong said:
tvrgit said:
Remember (if it's not too obvious) it's not just "oil" - you need to use proper brake fluid.
.... and the same fluid as is already in there. Full flush would be my advice before a track day. Buy an eazibleed and 2l of the cerbera recommended dot fluid, I know not if we use dot4 or dot5.1 - I've not had to touch mine yet
roysum said:
stuthemong said:
tvrgit said:
Remember (if it's not too obvious) it's not just "oil" - you need to use proper brake fluid.
.... and the same fluid as is already in there. Full flush would be my advice before a track day. Buy an eazibleed and 2l of the cerbera recommended dot fluid, I know not if we use dot4 or dot5.1 - I've not had to touch mine yet
Mr.Cerbera said:
billy no brakes said:
Mr.Cerbera said:
Thanks Guys, you are stars !
Guess I'll have to go into Les Combes a tad under 145 just in case I've buggered up the brake system
Just a thought have you done many trackdaysGuess I'll have to go into Les Combes a tad under 145 just in case I've buggered up the brake system
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