Re: Brake reservoir leakage

Posted by Dave Brownell On 2018/7/29 19:35:27

This is a fine example of getting unexpected advice, just when you needed it.

As you may know, I have two 1956 hardtops and had both BTVs exchanged with rebuilt units last year. One came from Max and the other from Kanter. I have been happy with the rebuilds from both, but the Esquire has the external glass jar reservoir and the Executive does not. Neither car is driven nearly as much or as regularly as the 1950 Eight Touring Sedan (with beautiful Wilwood dual master and front disc brakes), so watching the brake fluid slowly drain down without much driving made me think that I was going to have to take out the rebuilt BTV unit to see if the top master cylinder cover was somewhat loose on the Esquire with the remote filler jar. The hard to see master cylinder did seem to have some brake fluid crystallized underneath it, so I wiped it to see if the leak continued. It has. Now, all I plan on doing is taking out the remote unit and check for leaks in the line and also see if the cap may simply need tightening; As I recall, both BTV units came with new washers on the caps. This will save me a lot of grief if it proves this simple.