Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Brakes Brake fluid found on front passenger carpet. Is the master cylinder to blame?

Last night my front seat passenger noticed that her feet were wet while I was driving. So when we got done with what we were doing I took a tissue and dabbed at the carpet smelled the fluid on the tissue and notice the smell of brake fluid. Then I took a look at the level of fluid in the reservoir and noticed it to be low. SO I concluded that there must be a leak somewhere and that it must be from the master cylinder because of its location in the engine bay. Car is currently in the shop today. So what are the individual parts of the master cylinder system that can leak and what are the actual costs of these parts. Is a shop most likely to replace the entire master cylinder system in stead of tracking down one leak fixing it when there are actually two leaks missing the other leak and sending the customer on his merry way thinking that the problem has been fixed but aggravating him when a leak appears again?

problem so far according to the mechanic is condensation from the air conditioner that built up on to the carpet because the drain plug was clogged with dirt. Yet this does not explain why my brake fluid reservoir was as low as it was

As the brake pads wear and the caliper pistons are at rest closer to the rotors, more brake fluid is needed in the calipers. So as the brake pads wear, the level of the fluid in the master cylinder drops.

It's probably time to check your brakes for wear.

I can't think of any way that brake fluid could end up on the passenger side carpet short of someone spilling some there. There are no brake lines inside the car, and the master cylinder is on the driver's side.

Thanks big Jim you bespeak the same sentiments as my mechanic who sent me home a little red faced, reservoir refilled with the caveat that if the level goes down again there may actually be a problem.

and guess what no charge