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Brake Pressure Question

Joined
25 September 2002
Messages
106
Location
Keller, TX
Hello All, I believe I may have figured out why my brake pedal goes to the floor and has to be pumped up again. About 1 month ago all rotors, pads, and fluid was changed. Fluid was power flushed and changed with a machine at the dealer. There are no fluid leaks anywhere and the fluid resovoirs are still full. I should conclude then by looking at some other posts here that this is the beginning of a master cylinder failure. The car is a '92 w/78 K miles, and to my knowledge the master cylinder was not replaced by the previous owner. The big question is, Is there a surefire way to confirm that is the problem without taking it to the dealer? I will be taken there ASAP to see about the problem, but it's Friday afternoon and some insight would be helpful. If the master cylinder does need to be replaced any estimates how much $ I am talking here. Thanks in advance!
 
Master cylinder goes for about $375 list. The labor is probably not too bad; a few mechanical and tube connections, and then bleeding the system. One of the techs on the forum could probably give a more accurate estimate.
 
I assume that everything was fine just after the work was done, and started acting up recently? Besause the symptom is the same as having a few air bubbles trapped in the line(s).
 
If the master cylinder is going to go or act up the most likely time is after service or when it gets cooler like in fall. I have changed out two Honda Master Cylinders and they both started acting up in fall. Bleeding the brakes by pumping runs the Master Cylinder through it entire range of operation and if the rubber seals are warn and a little hard from age/heat the added exercise is just enough to make them unreliable. It's just time to replace the Master Cylinder.

Changing the Master Cylinder is an easy job, just don't get any brake fluid on the paint and if you are careful you can change it with out having to re-bleed at the wheels. I would guess it would take a tech about 1 hour.
 
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I had the same problem a few weeks ago. I took my '91 NSX with 90k miles on it to get the master cylinder replaced. So far I have not had any problems.
 
Thanks! Most everyone seems to be of the same opinion, bad master cylinder accentuated due to recent fluid flush and change, the boys at Acura sure seemed to concur as well. I should have it back sometime early next week.
 
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