Brake Fluid Reservoir
03-10-2020, 08:14 PM
#1
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Brake Fluid Reservoir
Have a 94 vette. Brake fluid leak from reservoir. Appears to be at hose connection for overflow. My 94 Manual does not show an overflow connected to reservoir, and the new reservoir I ordered does not have a port for overflow connection. Is there a problem if I install the reservoir without an overflow?
Les
Les
03-12-2020, 12:13 PM
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Overflow? On a master cylinder?? Are you sure? I've never, ever, seen an overflow on a brake master cylinder reservoir. On any vehicle.
And my FSM does not indicate that there is anything like that on the '96 C4.
The RTV'd item in the first photo looks decidedly PO-installed, not factory. And if he intended for it to be an overflow, he certainly installed it in an odd location.
I wouldn't worry about your new reservoir not having one; install it WITHOUT any sort of "overflow" and don't give it another thought.
My FSM shows that the RCS Prime Valve gets its brake fluid directly out of one of the brake lines. Page 5E2-13.
And my FSM does not indicate that there is anything like that on the '96 C4.
The RTV'd item in the first photo looks decidedly PO-installed, not factory. And if he intended for it to be an overflow, he certainly installed it in an odd location.
I wouldn't worry about your new reservoir not having one; install it WITHOUT any sort of "overflow" and don't give it another thought.
My FSM shows that the RCS Prime Valve gets its brake fluid directly out of one of the brake lines. Page 5E2-13.
Last edited by rocco16; 03-12-2020 at 12:25 PM.
03-12-2020, 12:28 PM
#5
92-94 had the prime feed off the reservoir.
03-14-2020, 06:01 AM
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Thanks for the input. A guy at Auto Zone found it for me in a GM parts list. It is odd, but apparently C-4s in 92-94 had that special reservoir. It is still available but GM does not show it separate from the master cylinder. Got to buy both. So, I'm still searching.
The pic I sent of the old one looks a bit crusty because a previous owner tried to repair a leak there. The port (nipple) probably cracked. But the black hose attaches to a metal tube running down the driver side of the engine and connects back into the brake line system. Definitely factory, but a bad idea given up quickly, I guess.
If I install one without that connection, I'm sure I would have to trace the line under the car and cap it off. Else I fear it could allow air to get sucked into the line.
The pic I sent of the old one looks a bit crusty because a previous owner tried to repair a leak there. The port (nipple) probably cracked. But the black hose attaches to a metal tube running down the driver side of the engine and connects back into the brake line system. Definitely factory, but a bad idea given up quickly, I guess.
If I install one without that connection, I'm sure I would have to trace the line under the car and cap it off. Else I fear it could allow air to get sucked into the line.
03-15-2020, 01:43 AM
#8
I forgot to mention that the Forman number is for the whole master cylinder. I could not find the right reservoir but I just switched the reservoir and kept the Mc as a spare. Maybe the parts guy can find the reservoir only part number but have him look up the zr1 number and see if they can get it. Way cheaper that way other wise you have to but the whole thing
03-15-2020, 08:35 PM
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I was in error to call it an "overflow." I have been advised by a couple of sources that it is a "prime pipe" to supply brake fluid from the master cylinder reservoir to the ABS/ASR unit behind the driver's seat. My manual also diagram's it as a "prime line."