Brake fluid reservoir cap

Christien · Christien's Garage

Is the lid on the brake fluid reservoir a standard fit? I was bleeding brakes today and I broke the cap. I always have to use pliers to get it off, because even though I only finger tighten it when replacing it, my fat fingers can't get in there well enough to loosen it. Anyway, I need to replace it immediately - 300km drive tomorrow and going to the track Sunday, so I can't wait for one to come from Pelican. Can I just replace it with a generic one?

While I'm on the subject, does the cap actually have anything to do with the pressure in the system, or does it just prevent fluid from splashing out of the reservoir while driving? I'm assuming the latter, because of the vent hose, which would lose any pressure. If that's the case, and it's not a generic fit, can I just do a duct-tape repair until I can get a new one ordered?

Thanks!

tonythetarga · 10-26-2007, 07:17 AM

Is yours just the cap or do you need the one with the brake fluid sensor in the cap? If it is just the straight cap, I believe that the Volvo 850 and S70 cap are the same as long as they are made by ATE. You might even check a wrecking yard if there is one close to you.

Christien · Christien's Garage

No, there's no sensor - it's just a plastic gap with a rubber gasket inset. No wrecking yard nearby, but if the volvo caps fit, I can probably pick one up at the local parts store. I'll bring the broken one with me to make sure they at least look similar.

Rot 911 · 10-26-2007, 07:22 AM

Hell it's the same cap all the way back to the 356.

tonythetarga · 10-26-2007, 07:39 AM

All I can say for sure is my power bleeder fits right on the Volvo and the reservoir is also made by ATE, so it will work. The BMW cap will probably also work as the power bleeder is the same there too.

Gunter · Gunter's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christien

Is the lid on the brake fluid reservoir a standard fit? I was bleeding brakes today and I broke the cap. I always have to use pliers to get it off, because even though I only finger tighten it when replacing it, my fat fingers can't get in there well enough to loosen it. Anyway, I need to replace it immediately - 300km drive tomorrow and going to the track Sunday, so I can't wait for one to come from Pelican. Can I just replace it with a generic one?

While I'm on the subject, does the cap actually have anything to do with the pressure in the system, or does it just prevent fluid from splashing out of the reservoir while driving? I'm assuming the latter, because of the vent hose, which would lose any pressure. If that's the case, and it's not a generic fit, can I just do a duct-tape repair until I can get a new one ordered?

Thanks!

Yes, duct tape is good enough; no pressure to worry about.
The cap from all Volvo 240 series will fit too.

Christien · Christien's Garage

Ok, well, no go at the local auto parts store. They only had a generic kind, which was about twice the size. So I'll duct tape it for the weekend and stop by a volvo dealership next week.

Thanks all!

tonythetarga · 10-26-2007, 11:56 AM

In your signature block it shows you have a 944. Have you looked at that cap? Not sure what track you're going to or with what club, but UCR PCA checks brake fluid caps in their tech sessions. If you tape it together, you might also want to use a rag to lay in around the cap in case anything seeps out under braking or turning.

Christien · Christien's Garage

The 944 is in storage right now (winter car) so I can't check it. Nope, not driving with UCR - they wrapped up their season several weeks ago (a bit of a bone of contention I have with them and their low # of DEs and resultant overcrowding/little track time). Thanks for the tip about a rag - good idea, and I'll do it for sure.

tonythetarga · 10-26-2007, 12:51 PM

You should think about coming to Watkins Glen next year. Track Masters have great events and when you evolve to the point of being checked out for open track, your track time can be as much as five hours a day. The Glen is less than 3 hours from Hamilton and we have a lot of guys come down from TO and Niagara.

Christien · Christien's Garage

Tony, you have no idea how badly I want to drive the Glen!!! It's all a question of time. We (my dad and I do track events together) stopped driving with UCR this year because it's a 2-day affair and you only get about 3 hours total track time in, whereas other clubs give more time in a 1-day event, on a weekday. We've got a 15 month old girl and I'm going nuts at work these days, so a weekend away from home is a HUGE deal to me this summer. Next summer hopefully things will settle down and we'll get down there. I've driven it in driving sims, and it looks like it completely lives up to everything I've heard about it!

Is it really only 3 hours from here? I thought it was closer to double that!

tonythetarga · 10-26-2007, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christien

Is it really only 3 hours from here? I thought it was closer to double that!

Hamilton to Ft. Erie is about 80 km's which is less than an hour.
Buffalo to Rochester is 80 miles or about 130 km's and is less than 1.5 hours.
Rochester to Watkins Glen is 73 miles, so call it another 1.5 hours., so about 3 hours and 45 minutes you are at the track. 3.6 miles of awesome high speed rolling terrain fun. You gotta do it next year.

Christien · Christien's Garage

Factor in 2 hours at the border....

But seriously, I think we'll do it this summer for sure. After reading your last post I google-mapped it, and yeah, 3:45 is pretty close, not counting border delays. They have pretty good resolution shots of the track, and it just reminded me of how fun it looks! The "bus stop" looks like so much fun! Nice to throw in some really tight turns on an otherwise high speed track!

tonythetarga · 10-27-2007, 04:08 AM

If you cross at Buffalo you'll be through in minutes. I have never taken more than 30 minutes even when the end of the line is half way across the bridge. DO NOT use Lewiston, you will have a 2 hr wait there. I cross at least once a month as I have family in St. Catharines and Toronto.

3.2 CAB · 10-27-2007, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christien

While I'm on the subject, does the cap actually have anything to do with the pressure in the system, or does it just prevent fluid from splashing out of the reservoir while driving? I'm assuming the latter, because of the vent hose, which would lose any pressure. If that's the case, and it's not a generic fit, can I just do a duct-tape repair until I can get a new one ordered?

Thanks!

Hi, is the vent hose that you are referring to, the overflow drain tube that is in the recessed cup around the top of the reservoir? Also, some of the 5gal gas can tops may also work in a pinch, if you can't find a real cap for it. Good luck!

tonythetarga · 10-27-2007, 12:06 PM

the overflow line is inside the reservoir and not in the catch tray around the top. When you bleed/flush the lines that line needs to be plugged so you can pressurize the brake lines enough to get the air out. The line goes inside the front left wheel well and dumps out under the car behind the front bumper.