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One of the lines between my master cylinder and the EBCM on my 2001 has started to leak. Judging from the fact that it's dripping on the plastic cover for the steering shaft coupler close to the rack, I'm going to assume one of the flexible sections has developed a leak. That or one of the steel lines has rusted - there's insulation covering them and I haven't removed them yet so can't see. Anyway, working from the assumption that these lines have been discontinued, I'd like to come up with a feasible replacement.
I've searched here and not finding much, curious if anyone has replaced these lines with braided AN4 and if they would have any pointers to pass along. I have enough stainless braided AN4 left to do the job from when I replaced the clutch line in my C4.
I'm making a wild guess that the fittings for the master are 12x1.5 and 12x1.0 concave. Unfortunately I'm having trouble finding a 12x1.0 to AN4 adapter in steel and I'm not crazy about using aluminum. I'm also concerned things will be tight as the OE steel lines loop around the AIR pump hose and the only adapters I can find are straight (was hoping to find 90 degree).
Well crap. After spending a bit of time looking at what all will need to come out, I discovered the cause of the leak wasn't one of the lines from the master. I still wouldn't mind replacing them however, as one of the fittings on the top of the BPMV is rusty and somewhat questionable looking. And I'm going to have to pull the alternator and upper radiator hose anyway.
Must have had some road trash make contact with and bend the rear hard lines because one was getting "touched" by the steering coupler bolt. Luckily the leak is just a fine spray, but I suspect a few dozen more turns of the steering wheel would have caused a catastrophic leak.
I'll be getting it up on jackstands tomorrow to see which line it is and how much fun it will be to replace.
Having read the EBCM conversion thread I'm curious if all the fittings on the car need a bubble flare, or just the ones going to the BPMV.
You're correct, I broke out the fsm yesterday and it states the same. I think I have a bud that will lend me a bubble tool.
Suck of it is though only one is leaking, both the rear lines were getting hit by the steering column bolt. Somewhere during the car's life the engine was replaced or rebuilt and I suspect that's when the rear hard lines weren't put back in the retainer clip right before they enter the tunnel. This left enough slop in the tangle where they converge at the BPMV to allow them to get in the way of the column. So I'm either going to have to squeeze a pair of unions in engine compartment or drop the exhaust so I can (hopefully) fit them inside the tunnel. :-\
I'm the 8th owner of this gem, and it's been molested extensively. This is the first time I've had it in the air enough to see most of the "evil". Seems someone got lazy with the post-cat o2 pipes and one of them is contacting the opposite pipe. Clutch line alarmingly close to the column, ground strap routed over the top instead of underneath column, etc. I'm almost afraid to look closely on the passenger side.
Last edited by spfautsch; Dec 12, 2022 at 05:16 PM.
I bought some thinking I could use them in the BPMV as well but the ports are deeper and the hex on the fitting bottoms out before the taper on the flare. I had to use and adapter fitting to go from M12x1.0 to 7/16. Then 7/16 to -3 AN.
Then I just connected the two with 30" long -3AN hoses. 24" might work since I have a loop in the hose by the MC but I would rather they be long and have the ability to route them around things and way from the exhaust.
That's awesome, thanks for sharing. Do you recall - are both inlet ports in the BPMV 12x1.0?
I'll probably buy aeroquip ends and make the hoses to exact length. I have some -4 hose and fittings but if I can't find all the adapters in -4 will go with -3.
Thanks, that saved me a bunch of trouble. Found some 12x1.0 unions on Amazon that look like they'll be long enough for the BPMV ports, and ordered the parts to make -3AN hoses with Aeroquip ends from Pegasus Racing. Hopefully won't take forever to get here.
Rear hard lines are done. Wasn't as bad as I was expecting save the fact that I broke my 3/16 flaring mandrel on the first flare and had to give the local auto parts store $70 for a new set that I'd value at $20. :-\ As soon as I popped the hard line retainer back on the stud near where they enter the tunnel it was immediately obvious this was a major contributing factor.
Unfortunately I found a laundry list of things needing fixed. Drained the brown coolant and replaced the screw clamps on the radiator hoses with the correct part, in the correct place this time. Noticed the smaller mounting ear of the EBCM/BPMV bracket is broken off so will need to pull that and see if it can be band-aided. Probably more stuff I've forgotten about. This is why I never pay "mechanics" to work on my vehicles unless I can assist.
Kubs thanks again for the parts list. All wrapped up and no apparent leaks on the first attempt. I wish I had -4 coming from the master, but -3 will have to do. Will post pics and the fittings I used when I have a chance - the ones I found on Amazon were long enough to work on the BPMV. Though I'd have preferred a shorter one for the master b/c I had to move the washer reservoir to get the AN fitting started.
Looks so much cleaner and keeps the lines well away from the headers.
Brake Master to Front Mount EBCM Line Replacement
