Reattatude Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 I let my poor 1991 Reatta sit thru most of the summer b/c the a/c needed a charge - and maybe b/c I got a nice 1989 too. ; ) But during the course of time, about 4 months the battery weakened so it needed to be charged to get it to start. Well, I think I let it sit too long. Today, I charged the battery a couple of hours and it fired up OK (had Pushed it into the grass a couple of days ago when the driveway was getting seal-coated) When I put it in gear and started rolling backwards I put my foot on the brakes...and the brake pedal sunk straight to the floor, I pumped it but no good, had to shift quickly back into park to stop the car. The brake warning light is on in the dash - this is a Bosch system so if anyone has suggestions pls post Id hope not to have to tow it somewhere but its undrivable in the present condition! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Have you checked the fluid level? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEMO Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Did it leak brake fluid out? Rusted out line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reattatude Posted September 17, 2011 Author Share Posted September 17, 2011 No, not yet it was getting dark and I was getting hungry - I can do that in the morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reattatude Posted September 17, 2011 Author Share Posted September 17, 2011 Surprise!Looked and there is a pool of fluid under the back drivers side tire with a trail leading back to the lawn. Guess I got a bad wheel cylinder or busted brake line back there, eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rawja Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Maybe you'll get lucky and it's just the hose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reattatude Posted September 17, 2011 Author Share Posted September 17, 2011 Maybe you'll get lucky and it's just the hose. Hi Roger - (I sent you a PM yesterday)I think its weird it didnt start leaking until it was pushed off the driveway into the grass. Had the drive seal-coated so I would have noticed a leak before we moved it. There is plenty fluid in the grass too.Of course now my freshly coated drive has brake fluid on it. Ugh! :mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEMO Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Brake fluid washes off with soap and water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES89 Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Windex works to remove brake fluid off vinyl siding. Testing out a pump/motor and the cut/crimped brake line wasn't crimped tight enough... Good thing the wife wasn't around! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reattatude Posted September 17, 2011 Author Share Posted September 17, 2011 Windex works to remove brake fluid off vinyl siding. Testing out a pump/motor and the cut/crimped brake line wasn't crimped tight enough... Good thing the wife wasn't around!Probably good soultions for concrete driveway, this is asphalt and the brake fluid has already pretty much soaked into the surface. I will try some soap on it when wash one of my cars. At least I wasnt flying down the hwy with no brakes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reattatude Posted October 7, 2011 Author Share Posted October 7, 2011 All the rear brake lines were replaced.something about the retaining springs had coroded and that comprised the lines. The mechanic was pretty flabbergasted as they failed one after another everytime be would put in fluid and pressure test. Lol...except the bill isn't a laugh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 Not kidding, is part of the reason I settled in Orlando. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCReatta Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 Yeah those wire-wrapped lines are terrible. The idea is great, but after 20 years, it's just terrible..Unless you live in sunny Florida. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 There is seldom anyone having problems with the 1991 brakes, so looking at the service manual, there is a proportioning valve for each side of the rear. They appear to be where the lines turn to go to each wheel.On the Teves system, there is a proportioning valve at the rear because there is high pressure on the rear brake line and the proportioning valve is actually a pressure valve.Since they put one on for each wheel in 1991, I suspect that they also are pressure valves and you may have a faulty one that is allowing too much pressure to reach those rear lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harry yarnell Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 Barney, I think the issue here is rotten brake lines... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 (edited) "pool of fluid under the back drivers side tire " is a pretty good indicator. Could happen to any brake system.Incidently, the dual front, single rear brake line was common to many cars since the dual master cylender became common in 1967. I think the dual rear line system is (relatively) new. My '78 Sunbird V8 had a single rear line and was probably proportioned about right for a Reatta. Edited October 8, 2011 by padgett (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reattatude Posted October 8, 2011 Author Share Posted October 8, 2011 After spending over 300 smackers on this the brakes are still mushy feeling to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 91 ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 My mistake. Post deleted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reattatude Posted October 14, 2011 Author Share Posted October 14, 2011 Yes, its a 1991. The pedal still sinks pretty close to the floor to get the car to fully stop.The Buick Roadmaster wagon in comparison which got a brake job at the same garage is almost too touchy. The brakes are working excellent on it. The tech said the rotor were a little rusty but that should have wore off - I think something is amiss in the Reatta still. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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