02 Grand Am Brake fluid leak

[jombeewoof]

The leak comes out at the skid plates in the front of the engine about 6 inches off center toward the driver wheel.

everything was fine and dandy like sour candy, but now the fluid just pours out. Happened on a day that was pretty darn cold, I think about 5 degrees or so.

Lines all look great at the reservoir, and the device that it is directly connected to which I believe to be the master cylinder or power booster. they look good going down into the engine compartment as well. A little rusty at the wheels, but that isn't out of the ordinary. This is Massachusetts, we use the crap out of rock salt for the roads.

I haven't been able to get the car on a lift yet, but I'm fairly certain it's just going to be a seal, or a bad connection.

I guess my question for the experts is, what could be leaking to cause the fluid to come out where it is?

I prefer to do my own work, this is my Mother in Law's car and she can't afford to take it to a real mechanic. I'm fairly mechanically inclined and have a buddy who works at a shop so I can get my hands on a lift and get AAA to tow the car where it needs to be.

http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us...rInfoPages.htm

This page indicates I'm going to need some fancy equipment. That is assuming it's not just a line or a bad seal.

What is the probability that this is out of my league?

[Scrapper]

are you sure it's not water pump or radiator? but i'll say water pump or radiator.

[Scrapper]

are you sure it's not water pump or in back of radiator?

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

are you sure it's not water pump or in back of radiator?

i guess i hit twice sorry.

[jombeewoof]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

are you sure it's not water pump or radiator? but i'll say water pump or radiator.

it may be from that area, but it's certainly brake fluid that is dripping.
it's been empty for a few days and no leak. I put some fluid in, the brakes stiffen up for about 2 pedal pushes, then goes totally soft. look under the car for the leak and it's like a faucet on low dripping off the skid plate.

Absolutely certain it's brake fluid

[xeroinfinity]

The brake lines to run on the front side of the subframe. If you ran over something it could have pocked it, but not very likely IMO.

The location you described sounds more like the proportioning valve area. Or the rubber part of the hose which goes to the wheel is damaged and leaking running down the control arm....

If you need to work on the proportioning valve, you'd need a Tech II or equal ABS tool to properly bleed the system.

Best way to find the leak is to fill the resv. and hav someone push the brakes while looking for the leak.
BE CAREFULL not to get fluid in your EYES!
It burns like fire !!!

[jombeewoof]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

The brake lines to run on the front side of the subframe. If you ran over something it could have pocked it, but not very likely IMO.

Ice has built up on the driveway and it's downhill. She did say she bottomed out on the way down one day.
This is a distinct possibility

The location you described sounds more like the proportioning valve area. Or the rubber part of the hose which goes to the wheel is damaged and leaking running down the control arm....

If you need to work on the proportioning valve, you'd need a Tech II or equal ABS tool to properly bleed the system.

Considering the fact that I don't know what a Tech II tool is, would it be best to have it looked at by a professional?

[doctorhrdware]

That is GM's code scanner/programmer, it is for all GM products.