Help I Have No Brakes!!!!! August 04, 2008, 01:09:53 AM hi names Michael new to the forum.....got a 1995 cougar XR7 4.6 litre SOHC V8, no ABS and i have zero brakes. first master cylinder the front valve where the brake line comes out (closest to the front of the car), little to no pressure (will pump one good stream of fluid on second pump it sputters and foams, third its just air. Let rest for approx for 10 sec re-pump and repeats same process. Rear valve on the master cylinder cloest to brake booster, constant pressure no issues. so changed master cylinder, rebuilt from NAPA. EXACT SAME PROBLEM!!!! I have bled the system, to give you an idea its been a week going over this system. with the master cylinder acting as is it, I have continued to bleed the system, with engine off, can build pressure as if you have brakes, start the car you have nothing, no resistance, no brakes ZIP!what the heck is going on???? Is there something I am overlooking in this frustrating ordeal that could be causing this????thanks in advance for any replies. Quote Selected
Help I Have No Brakes!!!!! Reply #1 – August 04, 2008, 09:06:14 AM Did you bench bleed the MC before you installed it? Quote Selected
Help I Have No Brakes!!!!! Reply #2 – August 04, 2008, 11:13:50 AM thats the only thing I didnt do. I was told that putting the reseviouor on it and lettting it gravity bleed would do the same thing. Quote Selected
Help I Have No Brakes!!!!! Reply #3 – August 04, 2008, 11:20:05 AM Nope...bench bleed with the reservoir on. Quote Selected
Help I Have No Brakes!!!!! Reply #4 – August 04, 2008, 11:23:47 AM So basicly remove the master and then bench bleed it and put it back on. It should fix the problem right? Quote Selected
Help I Have No Brakes!!!!! Reply #5 – August 04, 2008, 11:26:17 AM In theory...Since you've tried two MC's w/o bench bleeding them, and have gotten the same result each time, it's worth a shot. Quote Selected
Help I Have No Brakes!!!!! Reply #6 – August 04, 2008, 11:31:15 AM The first one was the original and I just replaced it. The only thing I didnt do was bench bleed the new one. So Im going to get a vise and try bench bleeding it. The question is, is the source of my problems from the MC or is there something else that could be causing the MC to act up? Quote Selected
Help I Have No Brakes!!!!! Reply #7 – August 04, 2008, 11:43:23 AM W/o bench bleeding the MC, you will have air in it. No amount of pumping the pedal will work it out of the system. Quote Selected
Help I Have No Brakes!!!!! Reply #8 – August 04, 2008, 11:46:15 AM Alright, thanks man, will try that and hopefully it works. Im very frustrated right now, live in a small town and my only way out is the cougar. lol Quote Selected
Help I Have No Brakes!!!!! Reply #9 – August 04, 2008, 07:12:55 PM So I took off the MC and I notice something, fluid leaking on the booster. I look at the seal on the MC and its twisted. Straightned it out, bench bleed the MC and put it back on the car..still leaks. Going back to NAPA tomorrow with it cus that seal must be messed up if it is leaking and I just got it last week. Quote Selected
Help I Have No Brakes!!!!! Reply #10 – August 04, 2008, 09:45:05 PM Quote from: mwotherspoon;230585So I took off the MC and I notice something, fluid leaking on the booster. I look at the seal on the MC and its twisted. Straightned it out, bench bleed the MC and put it back on the car..still leaks. Going back to NAPA tomorrow with it cus that seal must be messed up if it is leaking and I just got it last week.I see bad new and reman master cylinders all the time:punchballs: sucks having to do a job 3-4 times cause you cant get a quality part anymore.As said bench bleed these things good! Quote Selected
Help I Have No Brakes!!!!! Reply #11 – August 05, 2008, 11:14:53 AM ROFL Napa claimes I got the last MC they have!!! Sales in the past 2 years is one...and it was to me lol...guess they have to order from manufacture. Car Quest has one tho...only one....rofl thats too funny Quote Selected
Help I Have No Brakes!!!!! Reply #12 – August 05, 2008, 11:38:28 PM Sounds like your NAPA doesn't sell much! IF that MC sat around for 2yrs it is possible that the seal just dried up and cracked. As for both places only having one. What you expect a parts store to have more than one of something they one sell once every 2 yrs. Come on. They most likely have one at the warehouse. Quote Selected
Help I Have No Brakes!!!!! Reply #13 – August 06, 2008, 11:58:26 AM Thats where they had the one...at the wearhouse. Quote Selected