Epoch

I know I'm posting this in two forums... please don't flame

Problem car: 94 Integra GS-R

Anyways, here's the deal. Recently, over the past couple days, my brakes have started to act up. Usually if I haven't been driving too long, the brakes feel excellent and just like they should. After driving for about 30-45 minutes, it starts to feel intermittently spongy(spongey?) with uncertain engagement points (The brakes do not feel like they're consistantly engaging at the same point in the pedal depress).

Thinking it was in need of a bleeding, I did that this morning. The fluid looked rather old, or at least in comparison to the fluid I refilled the resevoir with (The old fluid had a color of slightly used motor oil... Motor oil with like 1K miles on it?)

I am unaware of the last time the fluid was flushed, as I've only owned the car for 10K miles. Also, no ABS codes were being thrown, and the ABS pressurizer was acting relatively normal... well, maybe slightly more than usual (mine usually goes off every other morning).

So, any guestimate verdicts? I'm thinking about flushing the fluid, but I think I'll want to take it to a shop for that. Also, I'm fearing it might be a master cylindar failure, because while I have no specific ideas of what the symptoms would be, it would be expensive, and that's my luck

Also, there's no visible leaks anywhere on the brake lines, and no trace of fluid loss.

Thanks!

pomansouth

maby it is time for new brake lines or maby you are getting braking fade, hell i dont really know i am just trying to give you things to think about.

LT

either:

1) air in the lines - bleed them until you don't see air bubbles
2) master cylinder leaking - check around the clutch pedal for any stains or fluid on the pushrod
3) brake fluid is reaching boiling point (due to many contaminants) - flush and replace with OEM or better fluid
4) brake caliper pistons are wearing out, leaking - check that out (or replace calipers..not that expensive)

the only time you would experience brake fade is when the pads heat up past their critical operating temperature.

Epoch

Bled the brakes yesterday, and the system had no noticable air in them. Also, nothing noticable coming from any of the calipers/

Just went outside and check the pushrod. If the clutch pushrod= the rod that the clutch depresses into the firewall under the drivers side dash, then I have fluid on it. At first the fluid looked to be a murky black, but on closer inspection, turned out to be a clearish fluid with fine black particules... that just also happened to smell like brake fluid. ****.


Brake master cylinder.... serviceable, or do I need to replace it?

I like to think worst case then be pleasantly surprised when it's cheaper... but I think I may be flirting with a worst-case as is...

LT

i'd just replace it. therefore, you won't have other problems later. you can find aftermarket replacements for cheap.