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Brake Pedal - ABS Module inside boot leaking sticky stuff

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Scooter133, Sep 29, 2015.

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  1. Scooter133

    Scooter133 New Member

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    I have the regular Prius 2012, The brake pedal is attached to a rod that goes into a flex boot and then into the ABS module in the Engine compartment. The Boot is leaking sticky greasy/oily fluid. It not a constant leak. Its like it leaked on a Hot day and then stopped leaking.

    This is a Picture of the Leaking boot.

    This is the floor mat with some of the greasy stuff on it. You can see its not a lot and it not 'new'

    This is a Picture of the ABS Module. Its not the one from my car, but its what I'm calling the ABS Module.

    Is this not just the lubricant for the Pedal or is this real brake fluid from the ABS module leaking into the Car?

    Took it to Toyota and they said they had never seen this before and they are recommending to replace the entire ABS Module and Brake Fluid at a cost of $3346 + Tax. (roughly $2700 in parts)

    Spending $3346 on a $13,000 car is still not too bad, but $2700 for the ABS Module and Brake fluid? This is also totally beyond the scope of my expertise.

    Suggestions and comments welcome.

    Thank you,
    Scott<-
     
    #1 Scooter133, Sep 29, 2015
  2. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    I wouldn't call brake fluid sticky or greasy and anyone who works in a shop should know what brake fluid looks like. I'm guessing your car is a shade older than 3 years.
     
    #2 JimN, Sep 29, 2015
  3. Scooter133

    Scooter133 New Member

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    Fall of 2012 is when we bought it. has 46K miles on it. Its defiantly tacky. It really seems like its the Greese/gear oil they use to lube the shaft going into the boot and the heat we had caused it to melt and leak out. Brake work fine as far as it drives and all. Since the initial flow there hasn't been anything else noticeable dripping.
     
    #3 Scooter133, Sep 29, 2015
  4. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Well, that's the master brake cylinder that you pictured. ABS is built into it. Yes, most likely the stuff that "leaked" (didn't leak, actually just oozed out, as it isn't actually contained anywhere) is lubricant for the boot used during assembly and so the shaft can move in and out when you operate the brake pedal. I don't think there is a failure here, just overenthusiastic lubrication. If there were a problem with the master brake cylinder you would see a yellow triangle. Probably flashing! ;)
     
    #4 David Beale, Sep 30, 2015
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    brakes might be covered by 5 year safety warranty?
     
    #5 bisco, Sep 30, 2015
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    You mean like this? :(

    Picture taken yesterday:

    image.jpeg
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Sep 30, 2015
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    argh!!!
     
    #7 bisco, Sep 30, 2015
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  8. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Inverter?
     
    #8 David Beale, Sep 30, 2015
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Toyo dealership is "leaning towards" master cylinder. This may be a MC THEY put in, in course of the recall, so not sure, but maybe that has some bearing. They're gonna talk to Toyota.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Sep 30, 2015
  10. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Good luck!
     
    #10 jdcollins5, Sep 30, 2015
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Thanks. I looked at my invoice, it was in actuality brake booster pump that was replaced. The norm for that recall. Well, wait and see.
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Sep 30, 2015
  12. Scooter133

    Scooter133 New Member

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    I got the Car back from the dealer. The Note said they took the Boot off and pressed the brake pedal several times. There was small amounts of Brake Fluid coming from around the shaft into the boot area. So that seems to be what people had asked, that I take the boot off and look. They said they had never really seen this before and the Service Rep said he was going to see if he could get his Manager to Contact the local Toyota Rep to Comp the service. We had Purchased the Car there and had taken it back there for all of its Maintenances. The Car is under the 3 years, though is at 46K miles. Hope to hear back today if they are going to comp the service. Or at the least pay for 1/2? Fingers Crossed.
     
    #12 Scooter133, Oct 1, 2015
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  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    My sentiment too, if it comes to that.
     
    #13 Mendel Leisk, Oct 1, 2015
  14. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    Can't say this is uncommon. I've seen all kinds of "master cylinders" develop leaks at the seal where the push rod goes in.
     
    #14 qdllc, Oct 1, 2015
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I did a little searching last night. Replacement by a dealership was around $3000 in the 'States, $3500 in one instance in Canada. That's a bit of a you-know-what, even more than my recent bridgework, lol.
     
    #15 Mendel Leisk, Oct 1, 2015
  16. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Well, the master brake cylinder in a Prius is "special", and costs A LOT! Oh, and it's a lot of fun to replace and bleed. What with ABS and regen./friction brake switching.
     
    #16 David Beale, Oct 1, 2015
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  17. Scooter133

    Scooter133 New Member

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    This is what I found, its not the $2600 that my local dealer said it was. Though way above my pay grade to install!
    Go to toyotascionpartsstore com and search for 4705047180 (Forum won't let me post a Link) Its $1700
     
    #17 Scooter133, Oct 1, 2015
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  18. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    Good luck to both of you with the recent master cylinder troubles! Please let us know if you pick up any clues how the rest of us can avoid the same issues. Thanks!
     
    #18 CR94, Oct 1, 2015
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  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Regarding my case, and apologies for sorta hijacking the thread:

    The Service Manager called me this morning, said their best guess right now is that it's just a communication problem, not an issue with the master cylinder itself. That's the hope. Anyway, for now: continue to monitor, and if it happens when they're open, drive right over, leave the car running, they'll get a mechanic out right away, they can glean more that way.
     
    #19 Mendel Leisk, Oct 2, 2015
  20. Scooter133

    Scooter133 New Member

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    Well mine seems to be getting worse. When I got the car back they said they cleaned the boot. It was linty and had stuff on it. It looks like its been cleaned, though now it has lots more slippery stuff on it. Its not as tacky as before and the linty stuff is gone.

    So I then went under the hood and compared it to the fluid in the Brake Fluid tank and it seems like its the same stuff.

    The service Rep has been on his Manager to see if they can get the whole service Comp'd by Toyota, though has not been able to pin the Toyota Rep down. Though the Manager did tell the Service Rep to Order the Part even though I never said, "lets do this', so that's a good sign that they are pretty sure that they can get them to cover the cost. Hopefully tomorrow will be good news.
     
    #20 Scooter133, Oct 6, 2015
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