eh, what the?

For your Ford Focus related discussion
User avatar
Brake-Late
Posts: 51
Joined: Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:28 pm
Car: pitch black 03 svt focus

so i poped my hood today becuse my brake light started flickering under throttle and cornering, so im guessing the fluid is low, and it is along with all the rest of my fluides. not like empty but all near the low lines, they where fine around a month ago. so i find it a little strange that they all droped. anyway i need brake fluid, power stearing fluid and antifreeze.
iminhell
Posts: 683
Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2008 1:10 pm
Car: '00 & '01 ZX3's
Location: Darwin, MN

Mine does the same thing, actually constant under hard accel. It's because the ebrake cable is full of moisture and froze a bit, not completely but enough that it can not properly stretch and move. Nothing to worry about for me really. has happen every winter since new, so 8 years now.

You could try loosening the cable some, might help. Or maybe your rear shoes are just wore that far down.
--John
User avatar
Brake-Late
Posts: 51
Joined: Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:28 pm
Car: pitch black 03 svt focus

i just did rear pads and rotors about two weeks ago. you dont think its the fluid level? huh, i find my focus to be strange and confusing :?
User avatar
Monkey Gein
Posts: 465
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 4:42 pm
Car: 07 Silver ZX3/07 Black ZX
Location: Cannon Falls
Contact:

everything is low? and you just did brakes? what do you have? i have never had that prob
Image
Image . . . Image <-- CLICK IT!!
User avatar
Brake-Late
Posts: 51
Joined: Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:28 pm
Car: pitch black 03 svt focus

i gots a 03 svt. i noticed the power steering fluid was a little low last oil change but the coolent and the brake fluid thing was a bit suprising. i should really spend some time going through everything on the car soon 8)
User avatar
Steve@Tasca
Midget
Posts: 8928
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:26 pm

You may have a leaky t-stat housing which would explain the coolant thing.

Another relatively common issue is a leaky clutch master cylinder, look up under the dash directly abouve the clutch pedal and see if it's leaking.

Brake fluid level drops as brakes wear out but when you do the brakes and push the pistons back in the fluid goes back to it's normal level.

Theres really no reason to EVER add brake fluid to the system in normal use, if it's low theres a reason for it.
Tasca Auto Group- Employee pricing on all parts.
Image
http://www.tascaparts.com/partlocator/i ... eid=213668

1-800-598-1484 or spowell@tasca.com
Patalrob
Borlatap
Posts: 3559
Joined: Sat Dec 15, 2007 11:08 am
Car: 06 Wagon, 02 SVTF, 00 ZX3
Location: Aitkin, MN

What about the smell of antifreeze out the exhaust everytime you start the car up?
00 ZX3 "RattleTrap"
06 Wagon Doggy mover
95 Chevy Silverado Tow rig for lawn mowers
02 SVTF ...........
User avatar
Brake-Late
Posts: 51
Joined: Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:28 pm
Car: pitch black 03 svt focus

FORDSVTPARTS wrote:You may have a leaky t-stat housing which would explain the coolant thing.

Another relatively common issue is a leaky clutch master cylinder, look up under the dash directly abouve the clutch pedal and see if it's leaking.

Brake fluid level drops as brakes wear out but when you do the brakes and push the pistons back in the fluid goes back to it's normal level.

Theres really no reason to EVER add brake fluid to the system in normal use, if it's low theres a reason for it.
see i know this about the brake system and that is my main concern, the coolent im not to woried about power steering is another one that bothers me...they are all sealed systems and really should not be low...they work fine and the car has no drivabilty problems... its seems to coinside with that last cold snap...i really hate driving my cars in the winter....
User avatar
KRYPTO
Posts: 625
Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:46 pm
Car: 02 race car red SVT
Location: Lino Lakes
Contact:

Yeah, I had my master leaking down the pedal. You should be able to tell easily.

Another thing (just throwing it out there) they may go down alittle by being cold out???? if that makes sense (cold shrink, hot expand)
User avatar
Steve@Tasca
Midget
Posts: 8928
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:26 pm

Patalrob wrote:What about the smell of antifreeze out the exhaust everytime you start the car up?
Thats only on your SVT. 8)
Tasca Auto Group- Employee pricing on all parts.
Image
http://www.tascaparts.com/partlocator/i ... eid=213668

1-800-598-1484 or spowell@tasca.com
User avatar
Steve@Tasca
Midget
Posts: 8928
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:26 pm

Brake-Late wrote:
FORDSVTPARTS wrote:You may have a leaky t-stat housing which would explain the coolant thing.

Another relatively common issue is a leaky clutch master cylinder, look up under the dash directly abouve the clutch pedal and see if it's leaking.

Brake fluid level drops as brakes wear out but when you do the brakes and push the pistons back in the fluid goes back to it's normal level.

Theres really no reason to EVER add brake fluid to the system in normal use, if it's low theres a reason for it.
see i know this about the brake system and that is my main concern, the coolent im not to woried about power steering is another one that bothers me...they are all sealed systems and really should not be low...they work fine and the car has no drivabilty problems... its seems to coinside with that last cold snap...i really hate driving my cars in the winter....
Did you check the PS hot or cold?
Tasca Auto Group- Employee pricing on all parts.
Image
http://www.tascaparts.com/partlocator/i ... eid=213668

1-800-598-1484 or spowell@tasca.com
User avatar
Brake-Late
Posts: 51
Joined: Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:28 pm
Car: pitch black 03 svt focus

i checked everything when i got home, so hot :D im a total noob with this focus so i dont even know what is normal...i work for toyota and info on fords is is hard to come by even more so becuse of the svt part....
focinite
Master of Phonemic orthography
Posts: 3718
Joined: Sat Jul 02, 2005 8:32 pm
Car: black cvp vroom vroom
Location: anoka mn

heres the deal... the clutch master is fed from the brake resivior, i had this issue a few months back, as the master leaks the fluid drains from the brake resivior. the cold will make some fluids contract but they should go back to normal after they warm up. but on the other hand as it cools the rubber hoses contract wich would cause the level to rise so who knows, i only work here. :lol:
Image wink wink.....bitches
User avatar
Brake-Late
Posts: 51
Joined: Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:28 pm
Car: pitch black 03 svt focus

yeah it is the clutch master...now to see if i can get it done under warranty, so for now it will sit till monday 8)
User avatar
grocerygetter
Posts: 716
Joined: Sun May 13, 2007 8:55 pm
Car: 2006 Infra Red X3
Location: Zimmerman

Patalrob wrote:What about the smell of antifreeze out the exhaust everytime you start the car up?
It's tough to turn the key with your nose stuffed up the tail pipe...hehehe
Image
Looking to homebrew Supercharge my car, me and Corky Bell.
Post Reply