[Guest]

5 weeks of Alfa ownership, and my first problem. 300 miles from home and I'm leakng brake fluid! Topped up today, and pumped the brakes which firmed up, now there a puddle under the car (cambelt side), break peddle spongy and braking crap. I think I've lost about, 20mls of fluid. Clutch is fine, so I'm assuming its the master cylinder. I'm gonna find a garage tomorrow, does anyone know a good one near broadstairs Kent and any idea what's wrong with it or how much it'll cost?
Cheers for any help

Mark

The cars an 04 156 jtd 115

 

[David C]

Check the solid pipe from the caliper where it disappears behind the chassis rail.
There is a pipe clip there, and the pipe rusts through in that area.

 

[Guest]

cheers for that, it seems to be appearing from just behind the cam belt cover, just behind the sump.

 

[David C]

It has become a well known failure area, but it is very difficult to see.

 

[Guest]

Cheers I'll have a look in the morning

 

[Guest]

Solved after much hassle, it appears that one of the low pressure hoses off the master cylinder had split before my ownership and been bodged with sealant and tape!!! I now need to wait for a few days for replacements to come from Italy. Just need to say how fantastic S & s autos in Margate were in looking for parts and being very honest re, the repairs. If I didn't live up north, I'd use them for all servicing and repairs to my Alfa and the wife's fiat.

 

[Datsuncog]

Had some bother with the brakes on my 04 156 JTD - found myself in a similar situation the other week, with a puddle of brake fluid under the o/s front wheel and a long drive home from Dublin... I thought the master cylinder had gone, but it turned out to be rust-through at the pipe clip, just as David C stated. Awkward enough job to track the new pipe across to the ABS box, but a relatively easy fix.