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Brake fluid on windshield...

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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 11:59 AM
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Default Brake fluid on windshield...

I'm getting a small spray of brake fluid up on the drivers side of the windshield under very hard acceleration (drag racing). The fluid reservoir is right there near the firewall.

This happens only when I go to the track. While I do occasionally "get on it" on entrance ramps I don't usually get up to the speeds nor does the acceleration last for the duration that it does at the track. The spray usually happens in the last 60-100' of the track.

This has happened every time I go to the track and last time someone told me I needed a new cap. So I dropped $25 on a new one (biggest rip off for a part EVER:mad ) but it continued to happen every time I went down the track.

Any ideas what could be causing this? Or is it common? I've never read about it before.

Thanks!
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 12:15 PM
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Default Re: Brake fluid on windshield... (Carsnob)

Its not brake fluid. Its windshield washer fluid. Very common. There is some kind of ford check valve that you can install inline, but I can't remember the part #.
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 12:20 PM
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Default Re: Brake fluid on windshield... (Carsnob)

I would rather think it is the hydralic clutch reservoir which is right behind the brake reservoir that is leaking. The clutch reservoir cap has a small vent hole in it which could be the cluprit. Especially at the drag races where your dumping the clutch and rowing thru the gears. But how would the fluid get to your windshield without soaking the underside of the hood first is beyond me.
LEo
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 12:47 PM
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Default Re: Brake fluid on windshield... (gmblack3)

Its not brake fluid. Its windshield washer fluid. Very common. There is some kind of ford check valve that you can install inline, but I can't remember the part #.
:iagree:
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 12:59 PM
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Default Re: Brake fluid on windshield... (Carsnob)

its the washer fluid, mine does it to . :flag
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 01:01 PM
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Default Re: Brake fluid on windshield... (Carsnob)

I'm getting a small spray of brake fluid up on the drivers side of the windshield under very hard acceleration (drag racing). The fluid reservoir is right there near the firewall.

This happens only when I go to the track. While I do occasionally "get on it" on entrance ramps I don't usually get up to the speeds nor does the acceleration last for the duration that it does at the track. The spray usually happens in the last 60-100' of the track.

This has happened every time I go to the track and last time someone told me I needed a new cap. So I dropped $25 on a new one (biggest rip off for a part EVER:mad ) but it continued to happen every time I went down the track.

Any ideas what could be causing this? Or is it common? I've never read about it before.

Thanks!
My guess is that it is windsheild washer fluid. As mentioned before that is quite common.
I hope it isn't really brake fluid as even a drop will eat paint.
Also brake fluid has a fairly high viscosity and probably wouldn't spray as much as it would ooze.
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 01:54 PM
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Default Re: Brake fluid on windshield... (Richin Chicago)

Thanks for the replys everyone.

The fluid appears to be coming from here.



When the fluid hits my windshield it is usually just a small spattering but going 115mph it pushes it up the windshield in small fingers.
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 02:02 PM
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Default Re: Brake fluid on windshield... (Carsnob)

I'm getting a small spray of brake fluid up on the drivers side of the windshield under very hard acceleration (drag racing). The fluid reservoir is right there near the firewall.

This happens only when I go to the track. While I do occasionally "get on it" on entrance ramps I don't usually get up to the speeds nor does the acceleration last for the duration that it does at the track. The spray usually happens in the last 60-100' of the track.

This has happened every time I go to the track and last time someone told me I needed a new cap. So I dropped $25 on a new one (biggest rip off for a part EVER:mad ) but it continued to happen every time I went down the track.

Any ideas what could be causing this? Or is it common? I've never read about it before.

Thanks!
I hope most of us here know the difference between brake fluid and windshield washer fluid! :D

My brake reservoir cap has "leaked" (more like seeping) since I've had the car.. At first I decided that the fit was too loose, so I "shimmed" the rubber seal from the back-side w/ some gasket material.. So now I have a snug fit, but it seems to me it leaks more than it did before! I thought about replacing the cap as well, but I too was put off by the price! :mad

Mine isn’t blowing off of the reservoir body, but that's probably because I have a hood seal, and I'm not going to the track, either. Good luck. There are several forum members that have this same issue (with the cap leaking). Let us know if you figure it out! :smash:
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 02:29 PM
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Default Re: Brake fluid on windshield... (Carsnob)

Thanks for the replys everyone.

The fluid appears to be coming from here.



When the fluid hits my windshield it is usually just a small spattering but going 115mph it pushes it up the windshield in small fingers.
Sorry about that! I just realized if your running roadcourses you are going to know the difference between brake and washer fluid.
I do a fair amount myself and have never noticed that. Is your fluid getting above the hot full line when you pit? Is there a possibilty you could run a little less fluid and see if there is a critical fill level for run off? I never top off my fluid as the next set of brake pads brings the fluid level it right back to the cold fill line.


[Modified by Richin Chicago, 1:34 PM 3/2/2004]
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 02:31 PM
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Default Re: Brake fluid on windshield... (Dan_the_C5_Man)

its windshield fluid...happens to all of us with a topped off res. If you turn on your wipers does it smear or wipe off... if it wipes off then its window fluid.
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 02:46 PM
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Default Re: Brake fluid on windshield... (ICULUKN-C5)

I'm not running road coarses. Just drag racing.

I don't know if it smears with the windshield wipers or not. I didn't want to smear it all over the place. I cleaned it off well after it had dried with a squigee (sp?) at a gas station.

The reason I believe it is coming from that reservoir is because it is usually wet. The splash is in the windshield right about where the HUD is displayed. Which seems to be more in line with the brake res than the wiper res.

Maybe I will just have to check/clean it before and find a nice quiet place to do a high speed blast and see if it gets wet again??? Not today though, it's wet and a little fonky outside. Not exactly the ideal conditions for 100+mph blasts on worn drag radials :D

Thanks for all the replys guys.
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 02:59 PM
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Default Re: Brake fluid on windshield... (Carsnob)

If it cleans your windshield, it's WS washer fluid.
If it disolves the paint on you hood or roof, it's brake fluid. :cheers:
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 03:56 PM
  #13  
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Default Re: Brake fluid on windshield... (Carsnob)

Sounds like the wiper fluid problem (which contains an additive; not just plain water). Here are details for the fix:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=484114

(GM parts now available; Ford part not needed).
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 04:10 PM
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Default Re: Brake fluid on windshield... (johnC5)

GM PART # 22102237
CATEGORY: All
PACK QTY: 1 CORE CHARGE: $0.00
GM LIST: $6.93
OUR PRICE: $3.46
DESCRIPTION: VALVE

Thanks for the info!!! (now wishing he had come here first instead of listening to friend; could have bought 8 of these for the price of the new cap :mad )
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 04:15 PM
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Default Re: Brake fluid on windshield... (Carsnob)

Simple check put a plastic bag around the brake unit if it stops thats it


[Modified by b98, 9:16 PM 3/2/2004]
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 11:48 PM
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Default Re: Brake fluid on windshield... (b98)

Simple check put a plastic bag around the brake unit if it stops thats it


[Modified by b98, 9:16 PM 3/2/2004]
:iagree:
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 11:51 PM
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Default Re: Brake fluid on windshield... (Carsnob)

If you are getting brake fluid on the windshield, you have a very serious problem. It is probably windshield washer fluid. Just take some of the fluid out and you should be fine. Probably too full.
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Old Mar 3, 2004 | 12:41 AM
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Default Re: Brake fluid on windshield... (Carsnob)


I cleaned it off well after it had dried with a squigee (sp?) at a gas station.
Ah!

Washer fluid dries.

Brake fluid would remain oily.
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Old Mar 3, 2004 | 12:56 AM
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Default Re: Brake fluid on windshield... (Carsnob)

Carsnob,
Its washer fluid. If it was brake fluid getting that far you would have some serious paint damage on the hood (brake fluid will ruin paint in a few minutes). The washer fluid does not come from the reservoir but comes out of the washer outlet on the wiper arm which is right below where you are seeing the fluid on the windshield.
Bill
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Old Mar 3, 2004 | 02:03 AM
  #20  
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Default Re: Brake fluid on windshield...

What color was the fluid? That should have been the first question. Then....what does it smell like and feel like?
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