5 replies to this topic

[Frank G]

I have a 1997 Mercury Mystique 2.5 liter engine and I have break fluid leaking. Its the back drivers side wheel where it is leaking.

I tried to press the break and it went all the way down (the petal that is) and then the break lite went on. Good thing I didn't have to go anywhere lol. I don't know what it is and if you know what it is can you tell me the price that it would cost to fix this. Thanks to everyone in advance.

I am having it towed soon.

[BrApple]

the brake light comes on for two reasons. either the parking brake is set or there is low brake fluid. since you have a leak there is a good chance you have low fluid. fix the leak and top off the brake fluid and you should be good to go.

[Terry Haines]

Sounds more like he has a physical fluid leak.Need to find it!..Could be a rusted brake line,split brake hose or a leaking wheel cyl/caliper...

[Frank G]

Thanks for replying. I was thinking it was the wheel cylinder. I thought that the rusted break line would be brought up when I got inspection about 3 months ago.

[paulschott48]

I did my rear wheel cyls last yeat. Pretty easy job if you don't mind doing drum brakes. Your car is 13 yrs old and I would bleed and replace all of the fluid front and rear. also if the rear cyls or calipers are leaking you will need to replace the contaminated friction material (pads or shoes). The fluid gets contaminated with time not mileage, It absorbs water and will kill everything from the inside out. Don't replace only one wheel cyl, do them in pairs.
good luck, Paul

[Frank G]

paulschott48, on 30 July 2010 - 11:08 AM, said:

I did my rear wheel cyls last yeat. Pretty easy job if you don't mind doing drum brakes. Your car is 13 yrs old and I would bleed and replace all of the fluid front and rear. also if the rear cyls or calipers are leaking you will need to replace the contaminated friction material (pads or shoes). The fluid gets contaminated with time not mileage, It absorbs water and will kill everything from the inside out. Don't replace only one wheel cyl, do them in pairs.
good luck, Paul

Thanks Paul. I just got the verdict from my mechanic and it actually was a rusty break line. They had to remove the suspension and the gas tank I think and fix the problem. So I am picking it up tomorrow but, I really appreciate you telling me how to do the wheel cyl job. I want to learn a lot because I am going to become a mechanic (fix my own car lol) and want to learn everything.

Thanks to you and all that posted.