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Topic: Mechanic Wanted!!!
trueokie2's photo
Wed 01/02/08 03:53 PM
My brake light has been on for the last two days. Well, open the hood and there is brake fluid everywhere and the container is bone dry. I don't know what you call it, the line that runs from the container, it's a little thingy that screws on and has a plug for the brake lights is leaking the fluid (at least it looks like it). My question is; Will I have to buy the whole assmebly? And can I do this myself?

I drive 95 Ford F-350 1 Ton it has a 460 engine.

Peachiepoohie's photo
Wed 01/02/08 03:58 PM
sounds like a brake line...and you should be able to just replace it on your own...

adj4u's photo
Wed 01/02/08 03:59 PM
i concur

hardest part will be bleeding them

PATSFAN's photo
Wed 01/02/08 04:00 PM
Hi, the thing that holds fluid is called a master cylinder, there is a low fluid level sensor attached to it & brake lines , no never try to do it yourself!! brakes are very seruios.

no photo
Wed 01/02/08 04:00 PM
it sounds like the part you are descibing is this proportioning valve. does your truck have anti lock brakes? if it is the propotioning valve it is replaced as assembly. check the lines first to be sure one of them is not loose. replacing the propotioning valve requires that all the brakes must be blead, this usally requires 2 people and i would not recommen doing this yourself not knowing your qualifications and we are talking about you brakes here and an incorrectly done job can be dangerous

Peachiepoohie's photo
Wed 01/02/08 04:01 PM
yeah, bleeding your brakes is a pain in the ass..totally necessary...but a pain...

adj4u's photo
Wed 01/02/08 04:03 PM

it sounds like the part you are descibing is this proportioning valve. does your truck have anti lock brakes? if it is the propotioning valve it is replaced as assembly. check the lines first to be sure one of them is not loose. replacing the propotioning valve requires that all the brakes must be blead, this usally requires 2 people and i would not recommen doing this yourself not knowing your qualifications and we are talking about you brakes here and an incorrectly done job can be dangerous


yep must be done properly

so if ya do it yerself find a safe testing grounds to test them before getting on the road

trueokie2's photo
Wed 01/02/08 04:03 PM

sounds like a brake line...and you should be able to just replace it on your own...


I live in a town of theives and when I open the hood it was unscrewed. There is so much brake fluid everywhere I can't tell if it still leaking, I was thinking of using some pipe tape and putting around the screw and seeing it that will fix the problem.

no photo
Wed 01/02/08 04:03 PM

My brake light has been on for the last two days. Well, open the hood and there is brake fluid everywhere and the container is bone dry. I don't know what you call it, the line that runs from the container, it's a little thingy that screws on and has a plug for the brake lights is leaking the fluid (at least it looks like it). My question is; Will I have to buy the whole assmebly? And can I do this myself?

I drive 95 Ford F-350 1 Ton it has a 460 engine.



OK, well first things first. When you call it a little "thingy" I suggest you get someone who actually KNOWS, because brakes are nothing to mess around with! Your saftey is on the line on this one!

It sounds like a pretty simple fix since you can see where it is coming from. But still, let someone a but more "mechanically" enclined do the repair. One wrong "trun" can cost you a LOT.

Hope this helps! bigsmile flowerforyou

automan's photo
Wed 01/02/08 04:04 PM
I BELIEVE YOUR TALKING ABOUT THE SENSOR THAT INDICATES THE FLUID IS LOW IF IT IS LEAKING OUT OF WHERE IT SCREWS IN NO YOU DO NOT NEED TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER UNLESS THE THREADS ARE STRIPPED YOU CAN TRY TEFFLON TAPE AND RE THREAD IT HOWEVER IF IT IS LEAKING FROM THE SENSOR THEN YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE SENSOR

Peachiepoohie's photo
Wed 01/02/08 04:04 PM
ya know, even though I know what I'm doing...I generally play the "dumb girl" card and get a guy to do it for me...

trueokie2's photo
Wed 01/02/08 04:04 PM

it sounds like the part you are descibing is this proportioning valve. does your truck have anti lock brakes? if it is the propotioning valve it is replaced as assembly. check the lines first to be sure one of them is not loose. replacing the propotioning valve requires that all the brakes must be blead, this usally requires 2 people and i would not recommen doing this yourself not knowing your qualifications and we are talking about you brakes here and an incorrectly done job can be dangerous


Yes it does, its a little thing that screws on to a bolt and someone tried taking it off. Now I have brake fluid everywhere.. OMG.. it's a mess..

adj4u's photo
Wed 01/02/08 04:05 PM
Edited by adj4u on Wed 01/02/08 04:08 PM
get some dawn dish soap and clean the area

dawn should brake (break) up the fluid residue

then rinse it well

and if the residue is gone

see if it reappears when you pump the brake peddle

oh yea tighten the thingy first (bigsmile)

trueokie2's photo
Wed 01/02/08 04:07 PM

I BELIEVE YOUR TALKING ABOUT THE SENSOR THAT INDICATES THE FLUID IS LOW IF IT IS LEAKING OUT OF WHERE IT SCREWS IN NO YOU DO NOT NEED TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER UNLESS THE THREADS ARE STRIPPED YOU CAN TRY TEFFLON TAPE AND RE THREAD IT HOWEVER IF IT IS LEAKING FROM THE SENSOR THEN YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE SENSOR



Yes that is it... No I'm sure it is leaking at the screw, because you could tell someone was trying to take it off.

nu2topcat's photo
Wed 01/02/08 04:07 PM
add fluid replacee cap
pump brakes
if brakes fade there is a leak in system or need bled

trueokie2's photo
Wed 01/02/08 04:09 PM

get some dawn dish soap and clean the area

dawn should brake (break) up the fluid residue

then rinse it well

and if the residue is gone

see if it reappears when you pump the brake peddle

oh yea tighten the thingy first (bigsmile)



Oh thank you, I will try that.. :wink:

automan's photo
Wed 01/02/08 04:09 PM
DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS YOURSELF BLEEDING THE BRAKES IS NOT EASY N TAKES 2 PEOPLE

trueokie2's photo
Wed 01/02/08 04:10 PM

DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS YOURSELF BLEEDING THE BRAKES IS NOT EASY N TAKES 2 PEOPLE


I will let someone else bleed it, but you are right tho. Thanks for your help. flowerforyou

no photo
Wed 01/02/08 04:57 PM

ya know, even though I know what I'm doing...I generally play the "dumb girl" card and get a guy to do it for me...


CHA-CHING!! WE HAVE A WINNER! Now thats a SMART woman move there! bigsmile drinker laugh flowerforyou

trueokie2's photo
Wed 01/02/08 05:06 PM


ya know, even though I know what I'm doing...I generally play the "dumb girl" card and get a guy to do it for me...


CHA-CHING!! WE HAVE A WINNER! Now thats a SMART woman move there! bigsmile drinker laugh flowerforyou


I'll have you to know I changed the starter on this truck, it wasn't easy but saved me a ton of money. I also keep the oil checked, transmission fluid, water, and even change a tire. :tongue:

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