m/c gasket inverted & almost no fluid in either cylinder

[Bonnie_72_F100]

the post subject says it all, but i think my m/c gasket is inverted (pointing downwards into the cylinders, not upwards into the cap like I think it should be) and i had almost no fluid in either side.

What's up with that?

needed!

Thanks guys.

[BobbyFord]

Most likely, master cylinder is bad and booster is full of fluid. Check inside of rims/tires to see if there is any brake fluid leaking at the wheels. Also could be the proportioning valve (but unlikely).

[fmartin_gila1]

The convoluted gasket will go down into the bowl area as the fluid level drops. This ensures that no outside air (with moisture) is drawn into the brake system. If you have no leaks into the booster or at any of the wheels, just refill, and push the gasket back up into a more or less flat position. The resevoir for the front brakes(if disks) will normally drop as the pads wear. Then when you put new pads on, you push the calipers in and it pushes the fluid back into the MC. On the rears (if drum, the self adjusters should keep the shoes close and the level should not drop. Also if you have drums on front, the level should not drop much. If both resevoirs were empty or very low, you either have a leak or has not been checked for a very long time.
Fred

[Bonnie_72_F100]

well, there is definitely no leaking at the rims/tires/wheels. Additionally, it's sat for 18+ years, so I'm guessing that I should just push the gasket back up once I'm done bleeding the brakes.

How can I check for leaks into the booster w/o dismantling the entire m/c - booster set up?

Is brake fluid added directly into the m/c during the brake bleed or somewhere else? If it's added at the m/c, how much should I add?

Thanks (obviously, brakes are NEW to me)!

[BobbyFord]

well, there is definitely no leaking at the rims/tires/wheels. Additionally, it's sat for 18+ years, so I'm guessing that I should just push the gasket back up once I'm done bleeding the brakes.

How can I check for leaks into the booster w/o dismantling the entire m/c - booster set up?

Is brake fluid added directly into the m/c during the brake bleed or somewhere else? If it's added at the m/c, how much should I add?

Thanks (obviously, brakes are NEW to me)!

Just unbolt the two nuts holding the master to the booster. There's enough flex in the lines to allow you to see the end of the master.
You'll probably find that the end of the master is wet and leaking.