Brake fluid leaking/must replace something

[MarketPlayer]

The reservoir keeps going down to MIN, but the brake lines look dry?  I have no idea were it is leaking from, but it could possibly be from the master cylinder.  I have heard of people using the 300zx rotors/calipers/pads/SS lines...Could i used the entire brake system from one or should i get OEM 240sx brake lines, and a new 300zx master cylinder.  I want to have more braking power w/out using the Z32 rotors/calipers.
Does this sound like a good idea to anyone?
Has anyone ever done it and would like to explain how hard it was?
Any other suggestions as to were the fluid might be leaking from?
Thanks alot everyone,
-zac

[uiuc240]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (MarketPlayer @ Aug. 12 2002,2:30)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The reservoir keeps going down to MIN, but the brake lines look dry? I have no idea were it is leaking from, but it could possibly be from the master cylinder. I have heard of people using the 300zx rotors/calipers/pads/SS lines...Could i used the entire brake system from one or should i get OEM 240sx brake lines, and a new 300zx master cylinder. I want to have more braking power w/out using the Z32 rotors/calipers.
Does this sound like a good idea to anyone?
Has anyone ever done it and would like to explain how hard it was?
Any other suggestions as to were the fluid might be leaking from?
Thanks alot everyone,
-zac</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
well, for us to help you, we need to know what year 240 you have and whether or not you have ABS. &nbsp;or, you could just search on this topic and find the answer yourself. &nbsp;type in "Z32 master cylinder" or "Z32 brakes" or "Z32 swap" or "master cylinder"...things of this nature should help you in your quest.

This is where I personally would start.

Eric

[rampid360]

People used the calipers because they have 4 pistons as opposed to our 1. &nbsp; Im not sure if you can use a 300zx master cylinder, but i doubt it would do any good. &nbsp;All you would be doing is over-working our one, miserable piston.

Sources of leak: master cylinder (check around it for fluid...replace gasket/entire setup if necessary), check lines, check fittings by calipers....pretty much just walk over your entire brake system to find the leak.

-Al

[adey]

When you say "keeps going down to min", do you mean you've re-filled it a couple of times, or do you mean it's slowly but surely been going towards the 'min' line?

If I'm not mistaken, when your brake fluid starts to get low, it could be either a leak in the system (which might suggest air is getting in), or it means your pads are wearing thinner (there's more "play" in the brakes since the pads aren't as thick; more fluid sits in the lines than in the cylinder).

If it's been lowering slowly over time, it may well be your pads just getting thin; if it's going down fast, then you refill and it just goes lower again, it's probably a leak.

If the MC were leaking, you might notice discoloration on any painted areas near/around it, as brake fluid is very bad for paint.

[MarketPlayer]

Okay, maybe i can clarify a bit. &nbsp;I have refilled the resorvior twice in the last three weeks and it keeps going to MIN. &nbsp;I have done the obvious checking when i had it on a lift at work, but i couldn't see any discolorization/wetness around the claiper, were the rubber lines lead to the strut, nor were the rubber meets the metal lines. &nbsp;The only place i can see that it might ne leaking from is the master cylinder were it attachtes to the 12" diameter metal thingy right behind the mstr cylinder and attaches to the firewall i think.
I went into the car and pumped the brakes like crazy to see if i could get it to leak out a drop of fluid but no drops emerged. &nbsp;
I tried a search about master cylinder, but couldn't find anything! &nbsp;I don't feel like searching about Z32 brake upgrades, when i don't want to do that! &nbsp;I am sort of a panic braker in daily driving situations so i don't want to be locking up my brakes all the time. &nbsp;I also live in Florida, so it rains almost constantly another reason why i dont want hardcore braking power.
The car is a 1990 fastback, and it seems as though everything wants to start breaking on my right now, so i figured i would replace the entire braking system! &nbsp;That is why i want to know if upgrading the master cylinder would put extra clamping force to "our one, miserable piston"? &nbsp;

Cliff's Notes:
1. brake fluid keeps disappearing
2. Does upgrading the mstr cylinder increase clamping force at caliper?
3. Will upgrading mstr cylinder require further modifications to braking system?
4. Does anyone know what i am talking about?

-zac penn

[uiuc240]

dammit! &nbsp;you didn't read my post! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sneaky.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':pissed:'>

the reason i asked about whether or not you have ABS and what year 240 you have is THAT changes what MC you can use. &nbsp;if it's a non-ABS S13, for example, you can use the MC from an 84-85 S12 200SX, as it has the right number of outputs. &nbsp;if you have ABS on an S13 you can use the Z32 master cyliner (1996 model is best). &nbsp;if you have an S14 with a manual tranny, you can use one from an automatic tranny as an upgrade (and these are also different if you have ABS or not).

now, in the future, please do what you're asked in terms of providing information. &nbsp;and by the way, i didn't just pull this stuff out of my head. &nbsp;do you know how i found it?

SEARCH...FreshAlloy search page has the biggest archive (http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/search.php?Cat=)

SO USE IT NEXT TIME!!!!!!!!!!! &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'>

Eric

[240 2NR]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (MarketPlayer @ Aug. 12 2002,8:49)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Cliff's Notes:
1. brake fluid keeps disappearing
2. Does upgrading the mstr cylinder increase clamping force at caliper?
3. Will upgrading mstr cylinder require further modifications to braking system?
4. Does anyone know what i am talking about?

-zac penn</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
1. &nbsp;You have a leak, you need to find it

2. &nbsp;Upgrading the master cylinder will provide more clamping force, but will probably reduce your amount of modulation. &nbsp;You will now be overworking the single piston and at that point you will be more likely to lock up the system in a panic type situation (more clamping force per amount of pedal travel). &nbsp;If locking up under braking is your biggest concern you should be looking at better tires as well (brakes slow the wheels, tires slow your car), and learning to stop properly. &nbsp;In any case, going with all new braking compenents should improve the perfomance you are dealing with currently.

If I had to guess (since I'm not aware of anyone with a Z MC on stock brakes), I'd say you're more prone to locking your brakes with the Z MC on stock brakes than with a full Z system. &nbsp;I'd get a new 240sx MC if you stay stock since it should be much easier to install and create fewer headaches.

3. &nbsp;Depends on what MC you get and what model 240 you have now. &nbsp;Read above^^^^

4. &nbsp;I think so. Do you?

[uiuc240]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (240 2NR @ Aug. 13 2002,10:08)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">4. I think so. Do you?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Oof! &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

Zac, by the way, we're not trying to be asses here, but unless you give us the info we need to help you, we can't really be of much service.

And I apologize for being so rude, but you (and many others) would be well served by searching first and then asking questions later. &nbsp;You'll find that 99% of your answers already exist, as the questions are all the same. &nbsp;It's rare that someone actually posts something new. &nbsp;That's why when Steve posts about something totally OT, people jump on it because it's a new thought.

Anyway, this is getting OT...I think we've answered your question, right?

Eric

[240 2NR]

I was just kidding, it wasn't a jab or anything. &nbsp;I thought it would come across as funny. &nbsp;Sorry, wasn't trying to be rood.

[MarketPlayer]

Eric,
thanks for the apology! &nbsp;

Steve,
It was taken as a joke!

Everyone,
I have a S13w/out abs and will go ahead and just replace the master cylinder w/ OEM 240sx parts, and will upgrade the rotors/pads instead of the cylinder. &nbsp;Thanks for the help, and i will try and be more specific later.

P.S. &nbsp;since the search was just fixed, the database to look through is extremely small so that is why i didn't use it but once. &nbsp;I will however in the future!

-zac

[uiuc240]

Yeah, I know I was a bit harsh there...hadn't had the mornin' coffee yet &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

And as you mentioned about the search function, I agree. &nbsp;However, that's why I posted to use the FreshAlloy search. &nbsp;It's much more robust and contains many answers. &nbsp;Try there next time.

Eric