For obvious safety reasons, you need a functional brake system in your car. Leakage in your brake lines can compromise the functionality of your brakes and make driving the vehicle unsafe. For this reason, it’s always advisable to have your brakes inspected if you suspect a leak.
But how can you tell if your brake lines are leaking? When you suspect leakage in your brake lines, there are several symptoms you should look out for to confirm that the brake lines are leaking. These include:
- A warning light
- The brake pedal going down all the way
- A spongy feel when you press the brake pedal
- Visible leakage
- Difficulty stopping the car
Brake fluid is crucial for the proper functioning of your brake system. When there’s a leakage, the liquid is reduced, thereby causing a reduction in pressure. If left unattended, it could lead to severe accidents. In this article, you’re going to learn how to diagnose a brake line leakage and some of the causes of the leakage so that you can ensure your car is in tip-top condition before starting a trip.
Are Your Brake Lines Leaking? Signs to Look Out For
The first thing that probably comes to mind when you suspect a brake line leakage is to take your car to a mechanic for an inspection. This is an excellent move because an expert can tell you the exact problem you have and whether or not your brakes are in good condition.
However, in
some cases, it may be a false alarm. Therefore, it’s advisable to check for brake line leakage symptoms before seeing a
mechanic. The table below lists the signs to look for, their meanings, and
fixes.
| Sign of a Brake Leak | What It Means | How to Fix It |
| A Warning Light | This is the first sign you will notice when there’s a leakage in your braking system. The light may not be an indication that there’s a leakage, but it is a sign that something is wrong. | Consult an expert mechanic to rule out any issues with your brakes. |
| The Brake Pedal Going Down All the Way | This happens when the leakage point introduces air and other contaminants into your brake system. When this happens, condensation will form, causing the brake pedal to press down further than usual. | When you notice this, have the brake system repaired as soon as possible and ensure they bleed the brakes and change the brake fluid to remove all the air and potential contaminants. |
| A Spongy Feel When You Press the Brake Pedal | If the brakes feel spongy or squishy, it’s a sign that air bubbles have accumulated in the brake fluid. | To fix this problem, have your brakes bled to get rid of all the air and any other contaminants that may be affecting the brake fluid performance. |
| Visible Leakage | If you notice a yellowish or dark oily fluid below your car after a few hours of it being parked, a part of the brake system may be damaged, hence the leak. | Continuous leakage may end up making it impossible for you to stop the vehicle. If you’re sure the fluid is brake fluid, get your brakes fixed as soon as possible. |
| Difficulty Stopping the Car | If you notice that you’re struggling to stop your car, it’s a sign that you have a severe problem with your brakes, and you shouldn’t drive the vehicle until the problem is fixed. Driving a car with compromised brakes increases your risk of getting into accidents and damaging your vehicle. | Have your brakes fixed by an expert mechanic and ensure they use high-quality replacements to avoid new problems. |
What Causes Brake Fluid Leakage?
To understand why your brake fluid is leaking, it’s crucial to know how your car’s braking system works. A car’s brake system is made up of several parts. These include cylinders, pistons, check valves, rubber, and steel hoses. These parts work together to slow down and stop your vehicle.
The car’s master cylinder pumps brake fluid to different parts of the brake system up to the extremities, i.e. the drums and calipers. According to How Stuff Works, this is where most brake issues originate.
Leakages are most common in the parts of the brake system that are connected. The brake fluid can start leaking if any of these parts are pulled apart, punctured, or become worn out.
What’s the Best Way to Diagnose a Leaking Brake System?
It is recommended to park your vehicle on a level surface for a few hours. Once the time has elapsed, analyze the areas where the brake fluid has accumulated. Is it near the wheels or close to the engine?
If the leakage is close to the engine, chances are the leakage point is in the master cylinder. If you’ve had some brake work done recently, it’s also possible that the leakage may be coming from your brake calipers. If the brake bolts were not tightened well, it might cause leakage.
Also, make sure the fluid you see under your car is brake fluid. If your vehicle is new, the brake fluid should be yellowish. Old cars that haven’t had their brake fluid bled or changed in a while have dark-colored brake fluid. The liquid is also very oily and tends to have a rotten smell.
It also helps to check your reservoir to be sure that your brake fluid is leaking. If the level of brake fluid is lower than recommended, chances are you have a leak. If the level of brake fluid is alright and it doesn’t reduce even after hours of parking, it is not likely that your brakes are leaking.
All in all, if you notice a leakage or suspect your brake fluid is leaking, it’s advisable to get it repaired as soon as possible. Waiting it out will only make the situation worse, mainly because the leakage point will lead to air accumulation in your brake fluid, thus affecting its functionality.
How Often Should You Get Your Brakes Serviced?
It’s never a good idea to drive your car without regularly checking if all your mechanical devices are working correctly – top among them, your brakes. To ensure your brakes are functioning as they should, bring your car to a mechanic for regular checkups.
You can do it every 10k miles or after every oil change. Don’t forget to bleed your brakes as needed to remove air and contaminants.
It’s also a good idea to test your brakes before leaving for a more extended trip. Before heading out, start the vehicle and press on the brake pedal. If there’s no problem with the brakes, they should feel firm when you press on the pedal. If they feel spongy or there’s slack, you may want to use a different vehicle while you have the brakes on your car checked out.
Wrapping Up
Brake fluid leakage can be caused by several factors, including loose bolts, wear and tear, and damage to your brake system. For this reason, it’s vital to pay close attention to the symptoms we’ve listed in this article. Don’t wait until you can’t stop your vehicle when it’s in motion because that may not end very well for you. As soon as you notice a puddle of brake fluid on the ground after parking for a long time or notice the warning light is on, you should have your car inspected. Also, make it a habit to get regular brake servicing to ensure your vehicle is in good working condition for driving.