89 tr: Fluid leaking onto brake pedal and floor mat area | FerrariChat

89 tr: Fluid leaking onto brake pedal and floor mat area

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by jpanz, Feb 3, 2025.

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  1. jpanz

    jpanz Karting
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    Sep 8, 2015
    104
    Central New Jersey
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    John
    I have an 89 testarossa which I drive pretty regulary. In the summer I think one of my fans stopped working and I overheated while ideling on driveway waiting for my lift to drop. It was very hot that day. I'm due for a full service so I put it away. I had taken it out once or twice since just to run it for a while on a cooler day. The last time I had it out was in October.
    I took it out yesterday and noticed my feet were slipping a bit on the floor under the pedals. I noticed some fluid down there and on the surface of the brake pedal.
    My brakes worked well and I shortened my trip quite a bit and basically just headed back to the house and put it away.
    I'm far from a mechanic and I just wanted to know exactly where you think its coming from. I assume somehow the brake booster is leaking back into there and down onto the floor.

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,790
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
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    Steve Magnusson
    Have you checked the brake fluid level in the Master Cylinder Reservoir and/or have you needed to sort of constantly add brake fluid? Most likely, the Brake Booster internal volume would need to be full of brake fluid (from a leaking Master Cylinder seal) to get brake fluid inside the cabin, but have to agree that that's the only "slippery liquid" in the area.
     
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  3. ago car nut

    ago car nut F1 Veteran
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    Aug 29, 2008
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    Clutch master cylinder.?
     
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  4. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,790
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    +1 -- that's a good thought with a much more direct route onto the pedal(s).
     
  5. jpanz

    jpanz Karting
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    Sep 8, 2015
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    I have never seen fluid anywhere before except for the occasional oil dripping on the floor. I haven’t checked the brake fluid and like I said the brakes work great and so does the clutch. This seems to be a new problem so I’m not gonna mess with the car. Typically I take it out once a week or at least once every two weeks for 30-40 miles.
    I think it’s staying in the garage untill it goes in for the service currently scheduled for March at J scuderia.


    I have a 911 that was loosing brake fluid and I had to replace the fluid 3 times and never saw a drop anywhere. It was the clutch slave leaking inside. Which apparently uses brake fluid.
    I’m not sure if a testarossa has that type of setup.
     
  6. ferralc

    ferralc Formula 3
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    Sep 2, 2010
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    Fernando
    Your master clutch is leaking, open the front hood and you will see the level in the reservoir is not at the top. The brakes and clutch will still work if the level is not too low, the clutch will start acting up before the brakes as a safety measure the brakes have priority, otherwise there’s nothing behind the steering column that could drip any fluid.
     
  7. jpanz

    jpanz Karting
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    Thank you. I will check ASAP
     
  8. lagunacc

    lagunacc F1 Rookie
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    Aug 24, 2013
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  9. ferralc

    ferralc Formula 3
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    Sep 2, 2010
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    Fernando
    #9 ferralc, Feb 3, 2025
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2025
    I meant clutch master cylinder
    the part number is 175211 (Scuderia in the UK has the original one and a Brembo one for half the price)
    Not a big job at all, approx 2hrs for install and bleeding plus fluid.

    View attachment 3795592
     

    Attached Files:

  10. lagunacc

    lagunacc F1 Rookie
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    Aug 24, 2013
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    Brembo C 22 001

    You can find it on Amazon and Ebay under $100


     
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  11. jpanz

    jpanz Karting
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    Sep 8, 2015
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    John
    Thanks again!
     
  12. EDoug

    EDoug Formula Junior

    Apr 19, 2005
    266
    Southern Florida
    John, because you are in there, you might also look at the condition of the hose feeding the clutch master cylinder. If it is cloth covered and has turned to a tan color, or if the hose feels wet or "clammy," you might consider changing it out. This site has a lot of specifics on this hose that you can search. EDoug
     
  13. jgmblair

    jgmblair Formula Junior
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    May 27, 2010
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