Hey Guys

My ITR was sitting a few months in storage while we moved into our new home about 4 months ago. When I pulled it out of storage the pedal was very weak so I bled the brakes and everything was peachy.
Well car sat for another 3-4 weeks and I try to drive it last night when the pedal goes to the floor and brakes are very weak again.
I have not had a chance to re blead them yet to see if they firm up but I did jack up the car last night to look for leaks and everything looks fine. I have SS lines so that was my first concern.
Now I am wondering where the air is coming in? Or if the fluid can go bad in the heat we are having? [Texas 100+ : ( ]
Any other ideas?

TIA

 

The fluid would be fine. Did you bleed any air? Did you notice any fluid leaks?

 

"I have not had a chance to re blead them yet to see if they firm up but I did jack up the car last night to look for leaks and everything looks fine."

 

 

well that was helpful...
I was looking to see if anyone has had this issue before.
Usually after you bleed the brakes it does not get air in the lines that fast.
I am wondering if the Master Cylinder is going out.

I guess I will just try and figure it out my self. Thanks H-T ; )

 

MC is going bad. Here's how you check...

When the pedal is going to floor, have a friend slowly press the pedal to the floor and then release over and over. You watch the fluid level inside the brake reservoir. If you see the fluid level going up and down with the pedal movment, you have an internal leak in the MC. It means that fluid is flowing around the piston and backing up into the reservoir (instead of building pressure). As you release the brake, the fluid is pulled back down into the master cylinder...

If you don't have any leaks anywhere else, definitely replace the master cylinder! This problem can be intermittent and you don't want it to happen out on the road (trust me I know)!

My 94 civic racer is currently experiencing this same intermittent problem (especially when it's hot out), and we fixed the exact same problem on my buddies 92.

 

Thanks for the tip! I will check that tonight.

 

above advice is spot on. you almost certainly have a leaking MC. the rubber seals in them rot causing this condition.

 

People ask questions to try to help you, but you choose not to answer them. I could look at you car and quickly diagnose it. However, I cannot see your car and must rely on what you say to offer any insight. It could be a few things. The MC is certainly on the hit list. Take note of where and when air emerges when you bleed again. Are you losing any fluid when the car sits, i.e. is the level in the reservoir decreasing?

 

I did answer your questions even before you asked. You just didn't read the post fully.
N/P

I figured it out. It was not the MC but the gasket in the top of the cap to the MC. It got pinched the last time I blead the brakes evidentally. So now Im off to order a new one.
Thanks : D

 

No you did not. Best of luck to you.

 

I don't know how that would effect anything. The reservoir is not a pressurized component of the brake system. That seal on the cap only prevents spills.

 

Well I blead the brakes last night and got a new O-ring for the MC. All is good now.

When I blead the brakes the fluid was very dark red colored in the front calipers. I flushed it out until it was clear.

Im not sure what the deal with that was. Maybe it got too hot? or maybe the SS lines are rusting from the inside out? Not sure...

 

Well the SS is only an outside coverning for the interior hose to keep the hose from swelling. If the SS was exposed to the brake fluid, you would have fluid leaking from them. Unless perhaps the end fittings are corroded. This shouldn't happen though becuase the brake fluid is designed to absorb any moisture in the lines. This is why it must be replaced every once in a while...

My recommendation is to just keep an eye on things...

 

Thanks 94eg! I was not sure how the SS lines are constructed. The fittings looked like new just a little dirty from road grime.

I have done a track day on this fluid before so it may have just gotten too hot.

I am going to keep a close eye on it for sure. I am driving the car today and the pedal is still feeling good. : D