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eh, what the?

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 5:30 pm
by Brake-Late
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.

Re: eh, what the?

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 5:41 pm
by iminhell
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.

Re: eh, what the?

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 5:49 pm
by Brake-Late
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 :?

Re: eh, what the?

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:13 pm
by Monkey Gein
everything is low? and you just did brakes? what do you have? i have never had that prob

Re: eh, what the?

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:22 pm
by Brake-Late
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)

Re: eh, what the?

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:11 pm
by Steve@Tasca
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.

Re: eh, what the?

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:14 pm
by Patalrob
What about the smell of antifreeze out the exhaust everytime you start the car up?

Re: eh, what the?

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:38 pm
by Brake-Late
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....

Re: eh, what the?

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:45 pm
by KRYPTO
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)

Re: eh, what the?

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:00 pm
by Steve@Tasca
Patalrob wrote:What about the smell of antifreeze out the exhaust everytime you start the car up?
Thats only on your SVT. 8)

Re: eh, what the?

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:01 pm
by Steve@Tasca
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?

Re: eh, what the?

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:09 pm
by Brake-Late
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....

Re: eh, what the?

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:03 pm
by focinite
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:

Re: eh, what the?

Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 10:15 am
by Brake-Late
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)

Re: eh, what the?

Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 4:03 pm
by grocerygetter
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