On an '89 Maxima. Had it for 1 1/2 years with no problems. Now, have to add
some brake fluid every two to three weeks.
What am I facing? I don't see any leaks on the ground?
TIA -

Signature
Bob
Don - 26 Oct 2004 00:30 GMT
Sounds like a leak, could be a corroded brake line, I had the problem on my
92 Max SE.
Check for a realtively small leak along the brake fluid pipes, particularly
the one that leads to the rear brakes. Push really hard on the brake pedal
with the engine running, chances are you will find a small puddle of break
fluid under the car. You may even feel the brake pdeal going down. This may
be difficult to find unless you press very hard. Solution replace corroded
pipes (IMHO use only OEM brake parts.)
Good luck and let us know how it turns out
> On an '89 Maxima. Had it for 1 1/2 years with no problems. Now, have to add
> some brake fluid every two to three weeks.
>
> What am I facing? I don't see any leaks on the ground?
>
> TIA -
John Smith - 26 Oct 2004 02:49 GMT
The vacuum booster is probably where the fluid is going. The rear of
the master cylinder leaks into the booster and the brake fluid pools and
eventually destroys the booster.
> On an '89 Maxima. Had it for 1 1/2 years with no problems. Now, have to add
> some brake fluid every two to three weeks.
>
> What am I facing? I don't see any leaks on the ground?
>
> TIA -
Steve T - 26 Oct 2004 05:50 GMT
> The vacuum booster is probably where the fluid is going. The rear of
> the master cylinder leaks into the booster and the brake fluid pools and
> eventually destroys the booster.
That's my guess as well. Ussually you'll see some oozing or paint missing in
a trail from where the master bolts to the booster.

Signature
Steve
http://www.atlantaracing.com
John Smith - 26 Oct 2004 05:59 GMT
I agree... The brake fluid eats the rubber bladder in the vacuum
booster and when your brakes fail or the whistle noise appears you will
know you are there. It is pretty easy to unbolt the master cylinder and
pull it forward, without taking the lines loose, to see if there is
brake fluid coming out of the back of the master cylinder.
>>The vacuum booster is probably where the fluid is going. The rear of
>>the master cylinder leaks into the booster and the brake fluid pools and
>>eventually destroys the booster.
>
> That's my guess as well. Ussually you'll see some oozing or paint missing in
> a trail from where the master bolts to the booster.
BeeP - 30 Oct 2004 00:33 GMT
Another possibility, which happened to my '89, was the ABS actuator
(on the front passenger inner fender) started to leak, and the fluid
would collect down in the recesses of the lower inner fender area.
Worse yet ABS did not always work. I cannot recall if the ABS light
went on, however.
Good luck.
Bob
94 SE Auto
89 SE Auto traded
> On an '89 Maxima. Had it for 1 1/2 years with no problems. Now, have to add
> some brake fluid every two to three weeks.
>
> What am I facing? I don't see any leaks on the ground?
>
> TIA -
Joe S. - 21 Nov 2004 18:16 GMT
Fluid leaking into the booster is likely.
Also -- and this is what happened to mine -- the ABS pump/actuator leaked.
Open the hood and stand facing the car. Look down to your left, mounted
behind the headlight, on a shelf above the passenger side front tire is a
cubical silver thing with several steel brake lines running in and out of
it -- that's the ABS actuator. Look very carefully around it for evidence
of brake fluid leak -- the way the actuator is mounted leaking fluid will
puddle underneath it. If it's the actuator expect to spend $1,100-plus to
replace it.

Signature
-----
Joe S.
> On an '89 Maxima. Had it for 1 1/2 years with no problems. Now, have to add
> some brake fluid every two to three weeks.
>
> What am I facing? I don't see any leaks on the ground?
>
> TIA -