Brakes??? Pedal going to floor

[bullet ladd]

I hope this isn't a repost of a question.
My nephew just bought his first car.
A 2001 Ford Escort ZX2 Coupe and the brake pedal goes to the floor.

I'm assuming that after checking the brake resevoir being full, that the brakes might need to be bled. The shoes look to be okay.

Question: Advice or instructions on bleeding the brakes as well as any other alternatives for what might cause this problem.

Thanks for any and all help.

[KimMG]

An internally leaking master cylinder will not hold pressure. A repair manual will tell the procedure for bleeding the brakes replacing the master cylinder.

[derickw]

i would say if they are going to the floor the master cyclinder is gone.

bleeding is a two person job from what i've done. one person pumps the brakes a few times and on the last one holds the brake to the floor and the other person opens and closes the bleeded on each caliper one at a time i think maybe in a certian order.... back to front maybe. i always use a tube that fits snug over the bleeded valve so you don't make a mess with all the brake fluid.