Hydraulic Fluid Surprise

[Joseph Long]

Opened hanger door this morning to find this surprise.  Now I need to find a mobile A&P.  I didn't have tools with me this morning to open the cowl to locate the source.  Overnight temps in the teens.  Any guesses on the source?

 

 

[N201MKTurbo]

About the only thing there would be your brake master cylinders. If you need to fly it somewhere, just top off the reservoir before you go and make sure the brakes are working before you take off.

[Joseph Long]

14 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said:

About the only thing there would be your brake master cylinders. If you need to fly it somewhere, just top off the reservoir before you go and make sure the brakes are working before you take off.

My concern is pumping the breaks would dump what was remaining.  I'll know more once the cowl is removed.  Hopefully I can top off the reservoir and get it to a maintenance shop.  Hangered at a field without maintenance.

[Ragsf15e]

43 minutes ago, Joseph Long said:

My concern is pumping the breaks would dump what was remaining.  I'll know more once the cowl is removed.  Hopefully I can top off the reservoir and get it to a maintenance shop.  Hangered at a field without maintenance.

That’s exactly what mine looked like the one time it stranded me.  It took rebuilding the left brake master cylinder.  New o rings might be fine.

[Shadrach]

38 minutes ago, Joseph Long said:

My concern is pumping the breaks would dump what was remaining.  I'll know more once the cowl is removed.  Hopefully I can top off the reservoir and get it to a maintenance shop.  Hangered at a field without maintenance.

It would be helpful to know what model you’re flying. The master cylinders are located in different locations depending on the model. If it’s a vintage bird, it is likely coming from one of the brake cylinders as Rich stated above. Unlikely you will pump everything overboard but I completely respect the decision to not fly it that way (though I’d personally not worry if ferrying it  to 3k plus strip). Did you park it with the brake on?

[N201MKTurbo]

It is unlikely it is both. I can tell you from experience that you can land and taxi with one brake, just don’t land long and fast.

[Guest]

2 hours ago, Joseph Long said:

My concern is pumping the breaks would dump what was remaining.  I'll know more once the cowl is removed.  Hopefully I can top off the reservoir and get it to a maintenance shop.  Hangered at a field without maintenance.

You likely won’t need to remove the cowl, there is nothing in there with hydraulic oil.  Instead pull the fairing beside the gear door, that’s where the brake master cylinders are located.

[Joseph Long]

1 hour ago, Shadrach said:

It would be helpful to know what model you’re flying. The master cylinders are located in different locations depending on the model. If it’s a vintage bird, it is likely coming from one of the brake cylinders as Rich stated above. Unlikely you will pump everything overboard but I completely respect the decision to not fly it that way (though I’d personally not worry if ferrying it  to 3k plus strip). Did you park it with the brake on?

1967 M20C.  Brake is not set.

 

[philiplane]

master cylinders can leak from the top, which is under slight pressure from gravity and the reservoir above the pedals. This will not compromise the braking action so long as you don't let the reservoir run dry. Top it off and then pump the brakes to ensure you don't have air in the system. Don't touch the brakes until the reservoir has been filled.

FWIW, There are only three o-rings in the cylinders. The rod and piston come out by removing a snap ring, and the brake pedal pin, you don't need to remove the whole cylinder and disconnect the hoses. You drain the reservoir, pull the piston & rod from the bore, install new o-rings, and reassemble. If done right, the brakes don't need bleeding after this repair, which takes about an hour.

[cbarry]

15 hours ago, M20Doc said:

You likely won’t need to remove the cowl, there is nothing in there with hydraulic oil.  Instead pull the fairing beside the gear door, that’s where the brake master cylinders are located.

Except if he needs to top off the brake fluid…depending on the location of the reservoir.

[Guest]

10 hours ago, cbarry said:

Except if he needs to top off the brake fluid…depending on the location of the reservoir.

Yes indeed!  Too many variables in Mooneys.  But for sure he won’t find the brake cylinders in the engine compartment.