Brake fluid leaking on X5 2004 Diesel

[ChrisK36]

Hi, hoping someone can help me or has had this problem before. I have to keep topping up my brake fluid, I have used approx a litre in a week. I havent noticed any leaks and I have removed both front wheels to check for any obvious leaks, I have noticed that when I press down on the brake pedal it slowly goes to the floor also a sucking noise can be heard from around the servo area. It only started doing this a week ago.
Any help would be much appreciated.

[TimX5]

Check both rear brake pipes from the rear calipers that run along of the top wishbone arms they rust like hell and even get miss looked at mot time , you need the rear wheel off to see them properly

[TimX5]

[ChrisK36]

Thanks TimX5 I will take a look tomorrow and hopefully that will be the problem.

[graemeX5]

Hi

My mechanic said if your car doesn't start that is one thing, but if the car runs the only thing that you do need to work is your brakes!

So given it is your brakes it may be an idea to avoid driving the car until it's fixed, because if leaking fluid it will only get worse and possibly at the worst time and you could risk injury as result or probs with insurance 

I'm sure you would be able to fix it fairly quickly given the other posts as to possible locations of the leak, but iirc the brake system needs bleeding in a special way as others have had probs, if you do a search it should come up.

Hope that helps

[TimX5]

[quote="ChrisK36"]
Thanks TimX5 I will take a look tomorrow and hopefully that will be the problem.
[/quote]

Mine weren't actually leaking but I've heard of them failing , because of where the pipes are located in the top of the arms makes it difficult to see them.

[TimX5]

[quote="graemeX5"]
Hi

My mechanic said if your car doesn't start that is one thing, but if the car runs the only thing that you do need to work is your brakes!

So given it is your brakes it may be an idea to avoid driving the car until it's fixed, because if leaking fluid it will only get worse and possibly at the worst time and you could risk injury as result or probs with insurance 

I'm sure you would be able to fix it fairly quickly given the other posts as to possible locations of the leak, but iirc the brake system needs bleeding in a special way as others have had probs, if you do a search it should come up.

Hope that helps
[/quote]

Graham I just bled my brakes the normal way never had any problems.

[graemeX5]

Hi TimX5

You may want to check these links just in case you have any problems with bleeding it, as the bmw system it a bit clever which may need the pressure system and diagnostics laptop to be able to open the valves.

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... l#msg76439

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... l#msg28604

Graeme

[TimX5]

[quote="graemeX5"]
Hi TimX5

You may want to check these links just in case you have any problems with bleeding it, as the bmw system it a bit clever which may need the pressure system and diagnostics laptop to be able to open the valves.

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... l#msg76439

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... l#msg28604

Graeme
[/quote]

Cheers for that Graham , I fitted my new rear flexible pipes back in July bleed them the old fashioned way lol no problems whatsoever , brakes are fantastic , the only thing I've had to pressure bleed in the past was a clutch on a volvo  truck a few years ago.

[storminmike]

[quote="TimX5"]
[quote="graemeX5"]
Hi TimX5

You may want to check these links just in case you have any problems with bleeding it, as the bmw system it a bit clever which may need the pressure system and diagnostics laptop to be able to open the valves.

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... l#msg76439

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... l#msg28604

Graeme
[/quote]

Cheers for that Graham , I fitted my new rear flexible pipes back in July bleed them the old fashioned way lol no problems whatsoever , brakes are fantastic , the only thing I've had to pressure bleed in the past was a clutch on a volvo  truck a few years ago.
[/quote]

Just out of interest...how much are those pipes and are they dealer only?

[TimX5]

[quote="storminmike"]
[quote="TimX5"]
[quote="graemeX5"]
Hi TimX5

You may want to check these links just in case you have any problems with bleeding it, as the bmw system it a bit clever which may need the pressure system and diagnostics laptop to be able to open the valves.

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... l#msg76439

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... l#msg28604

Graeme
[/quote]

Cheers for that Graham , I fitted my new rear flexible pipes back in July bleed them the old fashioned way lol no problems whatsoever , brakes are fantastic , the only thing I've had to pressure bleed in the past was a clutch on a volvo  truck a few years ago.
[/quote]

Just out of interest...how much are those pipes and are they dealer only?
[/quote]

The pipes can be bought from Andrew pages , eBay about £20 - £25 per side

[storminmike]

Thanks

[ChrisK36]

Hi TimX5, the leak was at the rear where you said, excessive corrosion hiding away. Replacing both sides Monday.
Cheers.

[TimX5]

[quote="ChrisK36"]
Hi TimX5, the leak was at the rear where you said, excessive corrosion hiding away. Replacing both sides Monday.
Cheers.
[/quote]

You'll now see why they can easily overlooked by a mot tester , it's a bit af a bad idea locating the brake pipe in a dirt trap .

[storminmike]

[quote="TimX5"]
[quote="graemeX5"]
Hi TimX5

You may want to check these links just in case you have any problems with bleeding it, as the bmw system it a bit clever which may need the pressure system and diagnostics laptop to be able to open the valves.

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... l#msg76439

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... l#msg28604

Graeme
[/quote]

Cheers for that Graham , I fitted my new rear flexible pipes back in July bleed them the old fashioned way lol no problems whatsoever , brakes are fantastic , the only thing I've had to pressure bleed in the past was a clutch on a volvo  truck a few years ago.
[/quote]


With all these scares of locking out the back then is there method of avoiding this when you say swap the pipe or maybe swap a caliper?

I short terms....did others let it drain too far or perhaps not create a vacuum by sealing off the reservoir?

What's the trick