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Hi, I no longer have my 1949 Desoto S11 
. However I came to realize over the years there is a lot of smart guys on this site so, I turn to you. I have recently purchased a 1988 Chevrolet Conversion van. I can't keep brake fluid in the reservoir for the rear brakes. I have pulled the rear drums, no sign of leakage. No sign of leakage in the entire brake lines or any where else. Where can this brake fluid be going?
Do you have power brakes? If you do, pull off the vaccum hose to the power unit. See if theirs brake fluid there. If there is the master cylinder is leaking into the power unit and being sucked into the engine. Also inside the car pull back the carpet and see if there is brake fluid leaking into the car. I think you have a bad master cylinder.
Paul
Thanks, Paul. I will try that and let you know.
Paul, vacuum hose and carpet is dry. I have been refilling the reservoir frequently. I have put in at lease 3 of the 12 oz. cans of fluid. When it first started and I would add brake fluid my "BRAKE" light would go out. Now it stays on constantly.
Chuck, I still think you have a bad master cylinder. Check and see if your motor oil is over full, the brake fluid can go there also. I seen this happen on a ford one time, the power brake unit was full of fluid and was ruined and the engine was over full of oil. maybe some one else will have an idea and answer on here.
Paul
Thanks for responding, Paul. No excess in motor oil. It must be going into power brake unit. I don't know how to check it.
Unbolt the master cylinder from the power unit and pull it off the push rod, you do not have to take the lines off. If the cylinder is leaking you should see fluid in the rubber boot that goes around the pushrod.
Paul
Paul, My mechanic did this and no leakage detected. This is frustrating!
Chuck, I am now at a loss, I thought sure you would find it there. I hope someone else will maybe have an answer.
Paul
Thanks for all your in-put.
Paul, I do value your input. If this was your vehicle what would you do first of all to fix it? I sent an e-mail to Cartalk.com. I will keep you posted on this problem.
Chuck, If it were mine, I would buy a new master cylinder, I know I sound like a broken record, but that still sounds like what it is. I hope I am not leading you wrong.
Paul
OK Paul. I have to do something.
I will keep you posted
Paul, I found leak! The frame cross member in the front of the van is shaped like a trough. A break line running across the front with the trough was leaking. The trough would hold the leaked out fluid and as I drove along some would splash out so the trough never got to full to were it would spill on my driveway. Could not see the break line on previous inspections as it was concealed by the frame shaped like a trough.
Thanks for all the previous help.
Chuck
Glad you found it Chuck, also glad you didn't pay for a master cylinder you didn't need.
Paul
