Alright guys...

I was drivin to work yesterday, and when I pulled up at a stoplight, my drivers side of my hood was smoking really bad. It smelled just like when I spilled break fluid on the engine and it steamed for a couple hours. So I lifted up my hood, and I saw that some sort of fluid (probably break) was all over my firewall, break fluid despenser and leaked down to my rear drivers side plugs. The top to my break fluid despenser was on VERY tightly, so I doubt this is the problem. I noticed a part near my firewall, next to my break fluid despenser, and it looks like a big Acorn with a couple hoses. I briefly checked them for leaks, but didn't feel anything. Anyone have ANY idea's as to what's causing this? Thanks a lot.

 

Have someone pump the brakes while you eyeball for escaping fluid from lines, distribution valve, etc. Can also come out the back of the master cylinder bore if the seal is bad.

Don't discount the top, even if it's tight. I just had to replace the gasket on the lid of the master cylinder cover on my 89 Formula. The old one was tight, but the new one was really tight. Couldn't hardly get it on. Nice and dry now. Cost about 5 bucks in the Help section at Autozone.

 

Hey thanks a lot angel,

By gasket though, are you talking about the rubber thing with two hole shapes in it? That you see when you open the lid of the break fluid holder? Thanks

 

That's it

 

Thanks again aklim....the gasket looks good though.

Okay ...I had my friend pump the breaks and I couldn't really spot any leaks........but out of no where everytime I drive, smoke starts coming up from my hood and into my car through my cd player hole.....

Just now I pulled over and I spotted a small fire because of the break fluid. The fire was around the open pipe that used to be used with my stock air cleaner (the hole that the metal hose attached to). I quickly blew out the fire, to notice break fluid EVERYWHERE......The cap is on very tightly to my break fluid despenser....and all hoses look fine, but I'm suspecting the 2 gaskets under the actual despenser....I can wobble the despenser around and the gaskets look to have a lot of fluid all over them....

Also, I suspect the little white round piece in back of the despenser (it has a hose going to it and is mounted near the firewall). It's almost direclty behind the despenser, Anyone know the name for this?

Also, how would I replace those gaskets under the despenser? Does it come off?

Thanks a lot I'm real desperate right now

 

I looked on my Formula and the only small white round thing I saw behind the master cylinder is the connector for the power brake vacuum hose. The hose is 3/8" diameter and goes to the back of the intake. There is no fluid in this hose (or there shouldn't be), but if the cover gasket is leaking, it can get all over it.

Replacing the gasket is easy. The old one pops off and the new one goes on. 2 minute job. Those aren't holes in the gasket, at least they shouldn't be. Those are bellows that extend down when the fluid level goes down when you hit the brakes, so there is no vacuum formed under the lid that could suck in air under the gasket seal. Air has moisture, brake fluid loves moisture, moisture in brake fluid eats your brake system from the inside out.

If you didn't see any fluid shoot out when your friend pumped the brakes, and the pedal doesn't drop to the floor, your lines are most likely ok.

One more thing: the reservoir for the master cylinder (plastic) is sealed to the master cylinder (metal) by a couple of rubber seals (you can just see them if you look under the reservoir). These can also leak, but not as common or easy to fix (replcement of master cylinder required) as the cover gasket. So unlesss you can see these leak for sure, do the cover gasket.

 

Sweet thanks for the reply man,

I just went to Pep Boys and picked up a Master Cylinder Gasket, A Power Brake Check Valve, and a Power Brake Check Valve Grommet. I opened up the master cylinder cover and placed the new gasket over the fluid...and put the cover on tightly. Next, I took out the old Check Valve and Grommet, and replaced both of those. The whole way home, I didn't see or smell any smoke. And although it was dark, I didn't notice any new fluid leaks. I'll cross my fingers and let you guys know how it went. Thanks for everything!!!!