Topping Up Brake Fluid?

[Deanoecosse]

Hi, I need to check/top up my brake fluid level which is such a simple thing on any other car but on the Galaxy it appears to be a total nightmare. I'm getting the "brake failure" warning coming up during sharp turns, roundabouts etc and I assume its low fluid/dodgy sensor.

I thought my Lotus was awkward to work on sometimes but Ford have taken the biscuit with the Galaxy. Its as if the designers thought "lets make the car stupidly hard to work on!"

From what I can see, I would need to take the airbox & airflow meter off the car to get into the brake fluid reservoir. Can anyone confirm if thats the case of am I missing an obvious way of doing this. I've done a search on the forum and found other brake issue but not this specific problem. I'm hoping someone is going to say "yeah it takes 10 seconds, you just do this!"

 

Thanks for any help,

 

Dean

[stevie m]

I did mine a little while ago. I too found it hard and to poor it in. I took the the hose off the maf.If you found something to use as like a funnel. I know you can't get one in there but with a bit of hose pipe attached too maybe ? :ph34r:

[stevie m]

Just thought you can get funnels that bend. I wonder if that would work.

[marinabrid]

i find that its quicker to remove the 3 bolts and remove the scuttle panel , then you can get down to it.

[skippy 2]

Hi, I need to check/top up my brake fluid level which is such a simple thing on any other car but on the Galaxy it appears to be a total nightmare. I'm getting the "brake failure" warning coming up during sharp turns, roundabouts etc and I assume its low fluid/dodgy sensor.

I thought my Lotus was awkward to work on sometimes but Ford have taken the biscuit with the Galaxy. Its as if the designers thought "lets make the car stupidly hard to work on!"

From what I can see, I would need to take the airbox & airflow meter off the car to get into the brake fluid reservoir. Can anyone confirm if thats the case of am I missing an obvious way of doing this. I've done a search on the forum and found other brake issue but not this specific problem. I'm hoping someone is going to say "yeah it takes 10 seconds, you just do this!"

 

Thanks for any help,

 

Dean

I agree with you on this when I got my gal it took me ages to find the brake fluid reservoir. I ended up looking in the haynes I think. Im'e not sure but I thought I read that you take the bulkhead off just below the screen in the engine compartment held by 3 bolts. This gives you better access. Also what does this mass airflow thing look like I have read alot about it can anyone advise?

[gregers]

cant you just use a syringe with a length of tube on it?

[El Dingo]

Try one of these - available at Lakeland, Robert Dyas, etc.

(It's a kitchen baster, btw. :rolleyes: )

Edited December 31, 2007 by El Dingo

[stevie m]

A hydrometer would be perfect from halfrauds (minus the float) :rolleyes:

[Ex-Galaxy person]

Oddly enough, I had to top up the coolant today - even though it's fairly accessible, the angle of the expansion tank meant using a funnel to avoid spilling on the battery. I remember thinking that you can't top anything up except using a funnel! (except the washer bottle).

 

IMHO, I don't think that anything can be done about this (or the brake fluid reservoir location) - I don't even blame poor design - it's just how it is.

 

Phillip

[RADIOTWO]

I did mine a little while ago. I too found it hard and to poor it in. I took the the hose off the maf.If you found something to use as like a funnel. I know you can't get one in there but with a bit of hose pipe attached too maybe ? :rolleyes:

 

Have you checked the Pads ?

 

Other than that if your level is low you must have a leak, check the cylinders etc.

 

but normally if you find the levels low, its a good sign the pads are low and the fluid

is low because of that.

 

so before you just top it check why its low, as when you replace the pads

you will have to take some out !

 

Radiotwo

[stevie m]

I had low brake fluid cos someone pressed the brake pedal and the rear piston came out. Brake fluid all over the floor. I was putting new rear discs and pads on at the time.

[Darklord]

if you go to screwfix they sell a large syringe type jobby which has a length of flexible pipe on it. this tool can also be used for removing any fluid from hard to reach places, the tool is a fiver, remember you can never have too many tools,

[mk2vr6]

so before you just top it check why its low, as when you replace the pads

you will have to take some out !

 

Radiotwo

 

more like top it up! are you encourageing the back flushing of fluid from the calipers back into the reservoir via the valve block?

[RADIOTWO]

so before you just top it check why its low, as when you replace the pads

you will have to take some out !

 

Radiotwo

 

more like top it up! are you encourageing the back flushing of fluid from the calipers back into the reservoir via the valve block?

 

When you push the pistons back, the fluid goes back into the reservoir, and if you have topped it up it will overflow and burn the paintwork !

 

Radiotwo

[mk2vr6]

in most case you wont be taking some out if you allow the excess fluid out via the bleed nipple and not back up through the valve block....you will most probably be topping it up! Edited December 31, 2007 by mk2vr6

[RADIOTWO]

in most case you wont be taking some out if you allow the excess fluid out via the bleed nipple and not back up through the valve block....you will most probably be topping it up!

there is more chance of getting air in the system if you open the bleed nipple, the best way is just push the pistons back, and no need to top up!

[gregers]

in most case you wont be taking some out if you allow the excess fluid out via the bleed nipple and not back up through the valve block....you will most probably be topping it up!

there is more chance of getting air in the system if you open the bleed nipple, the best way is just push the pistons back, and no need to top up!

 

 

iirc its been posted before that you must use the bleed nipple because you can damage the seals etc,or am i talking out my arse as usual.

[RADIOTWO]

"or am i talking out my arse as usual."

 

 

I am affraid so !

 

Fluid is able to flow both ways, if there was a valve, and you pressed the pedal the breaks would stay on

and not release.

 

so unless you are changing the fluid, the less chance of getting air in the system the better.

 

when reading posts on this and other forums the most brake related problems are when people who

change there pads, and find the pedal is sloppy or soft, but when you read into the problem, they

have opened the bleed nipple and got air in.

 

I have never opened the nipple when changing pads on any car(inc of abs Brakes) and never had

problems with seals or alike and other than the pads needing bedding in things fine

and back to my first post no need to top up !

 

Radiotwo

[Saif Rehman]

I have to agree with gregers on this one - My brother when he had his Galaxy can vouch for this. His pads were changed by a mechanic who pushed the pistons back either too hard or too fast resulting in the seals in the master cylinder turning..........result a hefty bill to get a new cylinder fitted by Frauds.

[Beyond Help?]

You MUST open the bleed nipple, the risk of damage is too great if you don't. As for this introducing air into the system you take the hose clamp off before you close the nipple, when fluid runs out the air is gone and the nipple should be closed. There is a reason the nipple is at the top you know! Edited January 4, 2008 by Beyond Help?