Master cylinder has the front reservoir bone dry and the back one is over filled

JASONPYZO

MEMBER
1989 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
5.7L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

The master cylinder has the front reservoir bone dry and the back one over filled. When I took the cap off fluid when all over the rags I put around it. I did a visual on all the lines and calipers and no leaks. Can the fluid in the master cylinder be blowing by the piston in there and pulling fluid from one reservoir to the other or might it be something else?

Wednesday, December 21st, 2016 AT 5:27 PM

4 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,144 POSTS

Hey JASON,

Yes if the seals have gone bad in the master it will over fill the reservoir.

Here is a guide that will help you replace the unit.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-brake-master-cylinder

Please let us know what you find so it will help others.

Best, Ken

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Wednesday, December 28th, 2016 AT 12:25 PM

JASONPYZO

MEMBER
87 POSTS

Yeah I just went ahead and ordered a new master cylinder, plan to flush whole system with new fluid. What is weird is the brake light never came on with an empty reservoir. I guess maybe it wasn't low enough in the master cylinder to register. Anyway I appreciate the info

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Wednesday, December 28th, 2016 AT 10:17 PM

KEN L