Master cylinder leaking again

[rwfisch]

Hi All, Have a 16 ram 2500, the other day I stepped on the brakes HARD to stop from going over a bank on a snow covered hill. Brakes went to floor figured I over pressurized and blew something. Next day I discovered that both braided lines coming off the master cylinder burst. So I ordered the lines and replaced, figured I was good to go. A week went by and my low brake fl light and esc light came on. Pulled over and saw fluid was everywhere, checked all connections. Discovered it was coming from the master cylinder, looked like from where it bolts to booster. So I put a new master cyl on last week and all seemed good until today, esc light back on and pedal soft. Looks like master cylinder is leaking again either at the back again or the gaskets where the reservoir mounts. Have to clean it up tomorrow to be sure. Anyone have any ideas what could be happening? Thanks

 

[Shiva]

What are you riding and any mods? I don't see any braided lines on my stock '18.

 

[rwfisch]

No mods, after they blew I got direct replacement from the dealer, braided lines. Checked it out today, fluid level is good and pedal seems normal, however still leaking, feels like from the weep hole underneath. Seems like a no brainer to just get a master cylinder, but this one is a week old. dont want to keep buying them if something is causing them to fail.

 

[crash68]

On a 2500 may use a hydroboost for the brake booster. It maybe power steering fluid that's leaking. I stated maybe as there was some years that the gas trucks were built with either vacuum or hydroboost.

 

[rwfisch]

I believe it does have hydroboost however the power steering fluid appears to be atf, definitely not whats leaking. leak is brake fluid. Thanks

 

[crash68]

For reference in the picture, the top is the vacuum booster and on the bottom is the hydroboost(has master cylinder attached).

had a brain fart about the power steering fluid being red. Hard to say if it's residual brake fluid that leaked into the booster that's working its way out?

 

[rwfisch]

I dont think its residual first thing in the morning when very cold its very spongy then its ok, leaking at a slow rate and esc light still on. too cold out to mess with right now. no trouble stopping so far

 

[jr27236]

Hi All, Have a 16 ram 2500, the other day I stepped on the brakes HARD to stop from going over a bank on a snow covered hill. Brakes went to floor figured I over pressurized and blew something. Next day I discovered that both braided lines coming off the master cylinder burst. So I ordered the lines and replaced, figured I was good to go. A week went by and my low brake fl light and esc light came on. Pulled over and saw fluid was everywhere, checked all connections. Discovered it was coming from the master cylinder, looked like from where it bolts to booster. So I put a new master cyl on last week and all seemed good until today, esc light back on and pedal soft. Looks like master cylinder is leaking again either at the back again or the gaskets where the reservoir mounts. Have to clean it up tomorrow to be sure. Anyone have any ideas what could be happening? Thanks

Did you buy a factory master cylinder or some other brand? New or reman? Either way they are definitely warranteed if you happened to get a defective replacement. Also did you bleed out your entire system thoroughly? Soft pedal is a clear sign of air.

 

[MarineBSP]

Not a RAM experience, but a year ago I bought a brand new master cylinder for my car. The factory shop manual for that car prescribes bench bleeding before install - and I am glad it did, because during bleeding the new (not OE) master cylinder leaked right at the gland seal on the shaft. If I had installed it on the car it would have leaked internally and wrecked the booster too.

So a new part can be bad out of the box, and it's more common with aftermarket parts.

Hope you can pinpoint your leak and get it stopped without another MC replacement.

 

[rwfisch]

Thanks for the replies, it's a new one straight from dealer. I think I will try to get a new one through warranty, knowing my luck its bad right out of the box. I'll be more careful this time with bleeding, I'll update once I get a new one in.

 

[jr27236]

You may have to use a scan tool to activate the abs pump during the bleeding process, don't hold me to it. Im sure there are real mechanics on here that can advise . But regardless I would clear the entire system of old fluid since you have to bleed it completely anyway