No brakes!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 111
Likes: 15
From: Crete Illinois
No brakes!!!
I pulled the cover off the Vette yesterday getting her ready for spring. We had a nice day here in the Chicago Burbs so I thought it was about time.
I looked her over, dusted her off, cleaned the interior...all of the normal stuff. I decided to start her up and pull her outta the garage to put some air in the tires, and I'll be damned. She started right up (thanks to a winter on the Battery Tender) and the brake pedal with straight to the floor and brake light came on.
My question is what can I do on my own without have to call for a tow or pay the high cost of a "traveling" mechanic? I have a couple of close mechanics so I just need to be able to get it a couple of miles.
Thanks for any advice given.
I looked her over, dusted her off, cleaned the interior...all of the normal stuff. I decided to start her up and pull her outta the garage to put some air in the tires, and I'll be damned. She started right up (thanks to a winter on the Battery Tender) and the brake pedal with straight to the floor and brake light came on.
My question is what can I do on my own without have to call for a tow or pay the high cost of a "traveling" mechanic? I have a couple of close mechanics so I just need to be able to get it a couple of miles.
Thanks for any advice given.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 111
Likes: 15
From: Crete Illinois
I'm already home. I'm hoping it's safe to limp to a mechanic. I thought about adding some brake fluid. I wanting to run it across the forum first. I'm sure I'm not the first one who had this problem after putting up the Vette for the winter.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 111
Likes: 15
From: Crete Illinois
I brought it last spring with new calipers, rotors, etc. The only thing I can thing of is a leaky line cause I had a piece of cardboard under the car during the winter and it's SOAKED with fluid. I just can't tell where the fluid came from. I can do minor brake work, but it's beyond what's already been replaced or low fluid you are correct sir: I am unqualified.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield Virginia
Where exactly is the leak? Remove the tires then fill the master cylinder and have your wife/friend pump the brake, so you can locate the leak. You own a C3; this is probably not the last brake problem you’re going to have. Culprit could be one of your “new” calipers. Let us help you fix it safely in your garage instead of limping it somewhere. That said I’ve had to limp a car home before by downshifting and using the e-brake.
Steve
Steve
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Was the fluid puddle roughly in the area of the master cylinder? When the masters go bad, they leak out the rear of the cylinder. Look and feel around the bottom of the brake booster where the master bolts up to see if there are signs of the leak. It us unlikely just adding fluid will get you anywhere but it's worth a shot since it can't make things worse either. And replacing the master cylinder is just a couple bolts and the line fittings, then bleeding the calipers.
If the master has no evidence of leaking, just put a flashlight to the backside of the tires. If it is a caliper, there will be evidence of brake fluid streaking on the rim and down the tire.
If the master has no evidence of leaking, just put a flashlight to the backside of the tires. If it is a caliper, there will be evidence of brake fluid streaking on the rim and down the tire.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 111
Likes: 15
From: Crete Illinois
Now that's what I call some good advice. I'm going out to the garage in a few to check the master and around the calipers. Might be the weekend before I can break out the jack stands and take the wheels off. Damn good advice!!! 
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 330
From: Indy Indiana
your front and back systems are separate, you should have at least a little brakes on the front or back for limping. if the puddle is brake fluid then you need to find out where and get new lines or calipers.
many people have problem with their corvette's brakes after sitting for the winter and your caliper may need rebuilt.
just take some time to find out what the problem is before you take it to a mechanic.. who will of course try to sell you a complete brake job.
many people have problem with their corvette's brakes after sitting for the winter and your caliper may need rebuilt.
just take some time to find out what the problem is before you take it to a mechanic.. who will of course try to sell you a complete brake job.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 111
Likes: 15
From: Crete Illinois
From what I could see last night (without jacking the car up) was that I have something leaking from behind the right rear wheel well. The leak is coming down and coming off of the top of the exhaust pipe. It ONLY leaks when I start the car. If it was a gas tank leak, wouldn't it leak even if the car was off? With that being said and the question being asked, when I get it jacked up this weekend, I'll pull the right rear wheel of first and see if I can see exactly where the leak is coming from...am I on the right track?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,293
Likes: 6
From: North of the Bay California
From what I could see last night (without jacking the car up) was that I have something leaking from behind the right rear wheel well. The leak is coming down and coming off of the top of the exhaust pipe. It ONLY leaks when I start the car. If it was a gas tank leak, wouldn't it leak even if the car was off? With that being said and the question being asked, when I get it jacked up this weekend, I'll pull the right rear wheel of first and see if I can see exactly where the leak is coming from...am I on the right track?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield Virginia
If you have a gas tank leak it should be readily identifiable because it will smell like gas 
Any evidence of brake fluid running down the back side of the wheel/tire? Do you still have fluid in the front circuit of the master cylinder?
Steve
Any evidence of brake fluid running down the back side of the wheel/tire? Do you still have fluid in the front circuit of the master cylinder?Steve
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 111
Likes: 15
From: Crete Illinois
I'm working from home today, so I'll remove cover from the master cylinder and check the level and dig off in the first aid kit for a latex glove for lunch and update after that. Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 330
From: Indy Indiana
not to be offensive, I probably am, but if you don't know the difference between water, brake fluid, and gasoline as a basis of troubleshooting,
then you are in your own words.. unqualified..
best just to have it towed to a mechanic. you might hurt yourself, or at best take several steps backwards.
then you are in your own words.. unqualified..
best just to have it towed to a mechanic. you might hurt yourself, or at best take several steps backwards.
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 200
Likes: 4
From: Richmond Virginia
I didn't know the difference between those fluids when I started - I learned when my brakes went out - everyone has to start somewhere. As long as the car stays safely in the garage while you learn, you should be fine.
Brake systems aren't that complicated. Your foot pushes a pedal that compresses fluid that squeezes calipers. There's a little more too it than that, but of all the things I've had to fix on my vette, that was one of the most straightforward. It doesn't have any complex interactions with other systems like a lot of automotive systems do - it works or it doesn't. The most complicated thing that can happen is trying to figure out where air might be stuck in the system, and how to get it out. An couple internet searches and the knowledge on this forum should provide you with what you need.
Brake systems aren't that complicated. Your foot pushes a pedal that compresses fluid that squeezes calipers. There's a little more too it than that, but of all the things I've had to fix on my vette, that was one of the most straightforward. It doesn't have any complex interactions with other systems like a lot of automotive systems do - it works or it doesn't. The most complicated thing that can happen is trying to figure out where air might be stuck in the system, and how to get it out. An couple internet searches and the knowledge on this forum should provide you with what you need.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,293
Likes: 6
From: North of the Bay California
Here's some more tips:
1. Any time you plan to type something on the internet and have to preface a statement with anything negative....stop.... and back up the cursor. This comes from the "I'm big and tough" complex that people develop while constantly communicating from behind a keyboard.
2. If you have a friend over to help you work on your car..any car...offer that friend a beer. If you do not offer a beer you should get a punch in the gullet
3. Never ask "are you gonna finish that chocolate?".
1. Any time you plan to type something on the internet and have to preface a statement with anything negative....stop.... and back up the cursor. This comes from the "I'm big and tough" complex that people develop while constantly communicating from behind a keyboard.
2. If you have a friend over to help you work on your car..any car...offer that friend a beer. If you do not offer a beer you should get a punch in the gullet
3. Never ask "are you gonna finish that chocolate?".