brake fluid loss - wet around reservoir

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by LKasdorf, Aug 1, 2022.

  1. LKasdorf

    LKasdorf Junior Member

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    Our 2005 Prius with 180k just started losing brake fluid pretty rapidly. I drove it onto dry concrete and pumped the brakes, but I see no sign of leakage from any of the wheels.
    It is quite filthy around the reservoir, however. It appears that it has been leaking for some time and accumating dirt, but I never noticed the level going down. It must have gotten worse recently.
    How common is it for a leak to develop in the plastic reservoir, or surrounding connections?
     
    #1 LKasdorf, Aug 1, 2022
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    check if there is a hole in the reservoir, clean off all the accumulated dirt.
     
    #2 JC91006, Aug 1, 2022
  3. LKasdorf

    LKasdorf Junior Member

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    Actually- I just found the leak. Left rear. Took apart- brake shoes worn down to metal, cylinder blew out.
    Still, don't know why it is leaking around the reservoir. Now, I don't see fresh fluid around that area- it may have been a spill from long ago when filling, and never cleaned up.
     
    #3 LKasdorf, Aug 1, 2022
    bisco likes this.
  4. LKasdorf

    LKasdorf Junior Member

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    II
    Well, I redid the rear brakes and bled them. I still have these lights on the dash:
    BRAKE
    ((!))
    ABS
    Dr Prius and Torque do not report any error codes. Will these go away after a while?
     
    #4 LKasdorf, Aug 2, 2022
  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    When there are brake warning lights and the scan tool being used isn't showing the trouble codes, then getting the codes by the Tc to CG jumper, count light blinks method is usually the fastest way to get on track to diagnosing the issue.
     
    #5 ChapmanF, Aug 3, 2022
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