1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

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

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2017
    67
    21
    1
    Location:
    Waterford, VA USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    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

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,525
    8,428
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    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

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2017
    67
    21
    1
    Location:
    Waterford, VA USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    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

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2017
    67
    21
    1
    Location:
    Waterford, VA USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    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

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    24,904
    16,213
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    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
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)