I have a 1997 civic LX (auto) with power brakes, but the power option seems to go on and off randomly.
I might be driving and it all works fine, but then all of a sudden when I try to brake, it's like not having power brakes at all, the pedal drops half way to the floor before the car starts slowing down. Then it goes back to normal and the whole thing starts all over again.

The car has new brake pads, brake shoos, and drums (rotors are still good).




I tried bleeding the brakes, and it seems to work, but after a few minutes I get tiny bubbles again (like sand pebbles).
I tried looking for the leak but can see anything.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by d16rice &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have a 1997 civic LX (auto) with power brakes, but the power option seems to go on and off randomly.
I might be driving and it all works fine, but then all of a sudden when I try to brake, it's like not having power brakes at all, the pedal drops half way to the floor before the car starts slowing down. Then it goes back to normal and the whole thing starts all over again.

The car has new brake pads, brake shoos, and drums (rotors are still good).




I tried bleeding the brakes, and it seems to work, but after a few minutes I get tiny bubbles again (like sand pebbles).
I tried looking for the leak but can see anything.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Take it to a shop where when they bleed it they have a special took that hooks up to a compressor and it sucks all the air out. If that doesn't help it, then you may need a new MC. I would get the MC with it's matching booster.

When your brakes do work fine, do they start to slow down at the normal pedal position or is does the pedal have to be depressed even lower?

 

yeah does seem like the master brake cylinder, happened to me before.

Have that thing checked out at a brakes place cuz having your MC go out on you when you're driving is not a good thing, believe me I know.

 

how many miles on the car ? id keep bleeding it for a while. autozone sells a pump bleeder for $30. makes the job much faster.

 

Gotta ask...is that road salt residue on the car ? Does the engine bay look like that too ?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MDJ IKNJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

When your brakes do work fine, do they start to slow down at the normal pedal position or is does the pedal have to be depressed even lower?</TD></TR></TABLE>

When they're working fine they work like a dream, and when they don't it's like not having power brakes. I have another '97, a hatchback with no power brakes, and the LX feels just like that. What makes it difficult is that it comes and goes unexpected.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MDJ IKNJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Have that thing checked out at a brakes place cuz having your MC go out on you when you're driving is not a good thing, believe me I know.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm pretty sure I'll have to take it to a mechanic. Unfortunately I just paid my bills and don't have any money right now. There goes another paycheck ha, ha, ha.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MDJ IKNJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

how many miles on the car ? id keep bleeding it for a while. autozone sells a pump bleeder for $30. makes the job much faster.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The car has 103,XXX miles on it and has been taken care of right from the start. I even have all the receipts saved. As for bleeding, I poured more than a gallon of brake fluid through my system with no improvements.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MDJ IKNJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Gotta ask...is that road salt residue on the car ? Does the engine bay look like that too ?</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's all road salt. Winter's in Chicago aren't fun. My engine bay, though, looks like it just left the factory .

 

I can help you out. I live by carol stream and I a pretty sure it is the master cylinder. It is easy to replace.

send me a pm...