5 replies to this topic

[soulslinga]

Hello

I went out for a cruise, decided to check my brake lights when i returned home, and they were out. I changed the fuses, no luck. I decided to add a little more pressure to the brake pedal to see if the switch wasn't making contact. While pressing firmly on the pedal, suddenly, the pedal rapidly went far down (to the floor if I had let it) and I heard a hissing pssssh type sound from under the hood. Now, every time i push the brake pedal, i hear the hissing. Brake lights still don't work and i appear to have lost brake pressure. What could be the problem here? I am a relative novice - should i even be messing about with the brakes without a mechanic? And most importantly, would this have happened while on the road? I purchased this car about 10 months ago and only take it out for short trips a couple times a week. Apparently, the brake system was replaced maybe 5-10 years ago when the car was removed from its barn, but mostly everything else is original on this car. This situation has got me thinking of taking it to a specialist for a full safety check (I'm in New Jersey, USA so that is a long trip, or i would have done it already).  Thank you for any tips. 

 

1965 Austin Mini Countryman 850cc

 

[Spider]

It sounds like it could be the Master Cylinder, but - with respect - given that it is Brakes and your experience, I would suggest you seek professional advice and help.

 

I am usually one to say 'give it a go' but (as I say 'respectfully") not in this case.

 

If it is the Master Cylinder, I don't think it would cost a real lot to have it sorted, though they don't usually just fail like yours, so I'd also suggest having your mechanic have a look over the whole braking system.

[dklawson]

Soulslinga, find a local garage that works on British cars.  You will find that most generic garages and shops will not work on British cars.  They just won't.  NJ is a big enough state that you should have someone within half an hour of you who is willing to look at the brakes.  A general British car garage will be fine, you don't need (and won't likely find) on specializing in classic Minis.

 

My suspicion is that the master cylinder seals have failed.  The shop will tell you for sure.  Being prudent, if you have the master rebuilt and/or replaced, it would be wise to have the shop replace all the wheel cylinders at the same time.  Failing to replace the flex hoses to the wheels will be false economy during this repair.

[ChopperHarris]

If your mechanical ability extends to jacking the car up and removing the brake drums, you could check to see if there is fluid around the wheel slave cylinders?

Has the brake fluid level dropped?

As the others have said, if level is the same and no fluid around the drums....master cylinder

[IainStallard]

Since this is related to the brake lights, could it be possible that the hydraulic brake light switch may have broken? Therefore stopping the lights from working and a loss of pressure if its split

[soulslinga]

Soulslinga, find a local garage that works on British cars.  You will find that most generic garages and shops will not work on British cars.  They just won't.  NJ is a big enough state that you should have someone within half an hour of you who is willing to look at the brakes.  A general British car garage will be fine, you don't need (and won't likely find) on specializing in classic Minis.

 

My suspicion is that the master cylinder seals have failed.  The shop will tell you for sure.  Being prudent, if you have the master rebuilt and/or replaced, it would be wise to have the shop replace all the wheel cylinders at the same time.  Failing to replace the flex hoses to the wheels will be false economy during this repair.

 

 

 

I appreciate all the tips. There is a foreign car specialist a few miles away who has done work on my mini before. The mini specialist on the other hand is a few hours away. I like the notion of a mini specialist giving it a once over, but i may save that for another time and I will probably take it to the local guy.