OMG, the master cylinder reservoir exploded.....
 

I have not had a good afternoon.

I received the proper adapter for power bleeding my brakes today. I was excited to finally get the chance to used this thing(Motive power bleeder). Well, in my factory manual....it says to pressurize the system to 30-35psi for bleeding. The warning on the Motive unit says not to exceed 20psi. So I decide to go to 30 psi....I start pumping. I go to 10 psi check for leaks....no air leaks...all is good. I go past 20, no issues. I keep pumping....I'm watching the pressure guage and when I hit 25 psi....BOOM!!!!!......the damn master cylinder reservoir exploded.:eek::eek::eek::cry::cry::cry:

I was stunned for about 5 seconds trying to take in what happened. The pop, of it exploding, scared the hell out of me. I grabbed meguiars quick cleaner, gallon jugs of water, and Windex(anything to dilute the brake fluid). I first got the brake fluid off my fender. I had no cover on it.:cry::cry: Once I got brake fluid off it, I went to the engine bay....but it had already softened several spots. I wiped it up......cringing when the paint was coming off with the cleaner.

I never dreamed of the reservoir exploding. I'm still stunned. I also can't believe that Chevy would recommend 30-35psi if there is a risk of the reservoir exploding. (Edit.....If I'm not mistaken, the system GM uses/used pressurizes an external tank with a bladder....don't think the reservoir sees that kind of pressure....I was stupid to go that high with it....live and learn).

The reservoir I "had" came with the new master cylinder I got from AC Delco. It is a new design that is different from what was on the car. It is strange because Motive had to send me the Ford adapter(1107) because the GM adapter(1108)one would not fit. I do still have the old reservoir and the GM adapter does fit that one. I wonder if the old reservoir can handle 30 psi? If I test it....it sure as heck will be clean and empty.

I'll get some pictures of the damage tonight. Got some spotty paint damage from the brake fluid. Luckily, there is zero damage to the fender. I got the crap off it in less than 30 seconds. The entire incident makes me sick. :cry::cry:

The moral of the story is be careful when pressure bleeding brakes. At this point, I would suggest not going over 20 psi like Motive recommends.

uh. damn :(

Here are the pics....
http://www.ace1252.com/images/CC503_...m/DSCN2996.JPG
http://www.ace1252.com/images/CC503_...m/DSCN2997.JPG
http://www.ace1252.com/images/CC503_...m/DSCN2998.JPG
http://www.ace1252.com/images/CC503_...m/DSCN2999.JPG

Lots of splatter spots.:( In the above picture, it dripped and ran down behind that bundle of wires....couldn't get to it before it done the damage. I'm glad the fender is perfect....all this other stuff I can shoot with some touch up paint. Still peeves me off that the GM manual said 30-35 psi....otherwise I would have never gone above 20 psi.

Well, the touch up repaint is going well. Got a few more places to go.....
http://www.ace1252.com/images/CC503_...om/repaint.JPG

So are you going to be able to buy just the reservoir, or are you going to get stuck with buying a complete Master cylinder?

I've got one on order from GM. That's about the only place to get just the reservoir.

Is that part of the master cylinder overhaul kit?
Do you have the part # ?

It is listed as a service kit. Comes with reservoir, o-rings, and roll pins. Below is what I ordered.

93-97: 18020021
98-02: 18026283

If you are looking for the master cylinder overhaul kit.....

93-97: 18020020
98-02: 18029859

Thanks,
My reservoir has a very slight leak.
I thought it was a bad reservoir cap, but I've changed it 3 times and it still leaks.

The service kit pt# 18026283 for a 98-2002 has been superseded by pt# 18046711.

Yeah, the part numbers can change over time. What I gave you is from a 93-02 F-body parts manual in pdf. It maybe on this board somewhere, but here is a quick link to it.

http://camaroforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25609