Volvo C30 T5 Leaking Brake Fluid
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Volvo C30 T5 Leaking Brake Fluid
Hello, I’ve never posted on a forum like this, but I was hoping someone more knowledgeable than me could assist me.
I drive a Volvo C30 T5 (not r design) with approximately 144k miles. I Jan it started leaking brake fluid, so I took it for an inspection and had both rear calipers replaced. I occasionally drive another car for work and I was away in Feb for training, so it was not driven much.
in Mar, I noticed the reservoir was almost completely empty, so I took it back to the shop that changed the brakes. They did every inspection they could think of and flushed the brake line, but couldn’t identify any leaks.
In Apr the reservoir was really low again, so I bit the financial bullet and took it to a Volvo dealer. They did a comprehensive inspection (to include the brake booster) and confirmed that the only leak was from the right rear caliper. I took my car back to the same shop and they replaced both calipers under warranty.
Then, in late Apr, the reservoir was almost completely empty again. I took it to a third shop and they did every test they could think of and could not identify any leaks.
To provide some additional info, there is no fluid on my driveway or where I park at work or anywhere in the wheel well. I got under my Volvo and there appears to be some fluid on the catch plate in the center of the car, but that is it. My rate of fluid loss is about six ounces of Dot 4 every three weeks, but that appears to be greatly accelerated during any drives over 45 minutes.
I found an article online that suggested that it could be a leaking clutch slave cylinder. I don’t know much about this, but Volvo estimated a 3500 bucks on labor alone for that repair. I’m unwilling to commit to this at this point since Volvo did not diagnose that as a problem.
Has anyone experienced anything like this? If so, any advice or any suggestions as to where I could take my car? I live in NY and have contacted most of the foreign vehicle repair shops near me, but have been unable to talk to anyone who can help me. I really want to keep my car, especially in this market, but checking my Dot 4 reservoir every day before I drive is tiring. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I drive a Volvo C30 T5 (not r design) with approximately 144k miles. I Jan it started leaking brake fluid, so I took it for an inspection and had both rear calipers replaced. I occasionally drive another car for work and I was away in Feb for training, so it was not driven much.
in Mar, I noticed the reservoir was almost completely empty, so I took it back to the shop that changed the brakes. They did every inspection they could think of and flushed the brake line, but couldn’t identify any leaks.
In Apr the reservoir was really low again, so I bit the financial bullet and took it to a Volvo dealer. They did a comprehensive inspection (to include the brake booster) and confirmed that the only leak was from the right rear caliper. I took my car back to the same shop and they replaced both calipers under warranty.
Then, in late Apr, the reservoir was almost completely empty again. I took it to a third shop and they did every test they could think of and could not identify any leaks.
To provide some additional info, there is no fluid on my driveway or where I park at work or anywhere in the wheel well. I got under my Volvo and there appears to be some fluid on the catch plate in the center of the car, but that is it. My rate of fluid loss is about six ounces of Dot 4 every three weeks, but that appears to be greatly accelerated during any drives over 45 minutes.
I found an article online that suggested that it could be a leaking clutch slave cylinder. I don’t know much about this, but Volvo estimated a 3500 bucks on labor alone for that repair. I’m unwilling to commit to this at this point since Volvo did not diagnose that as a problem.
Has anyone experienced anything like this? If so, any advice or any suggestions as to where I could take my car? I live in NY and have contacted most of the foreign vehicle repair shops near me, but have been unable to talk to anyone who can help me. I really want to keep my car, especially in this market, but checking my Dot 4 reservoir every day before I drive is tiring. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1
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Same here
Hey, sadly I do not have a solution to your problem, rather I have exactly the same problem. Caliper was seized and leaking, thiught that was the issue. Changed it, now 2 months later same problem. Lost about 100ml of fluid I think. It's really wierd. No residue in the wheel wells either. My milage is 217k km btw. C30 2.0D
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 9,608
Likes: 540
From: Burlington, VT
Thinking aloud here, there's only a few places fluid can leak so the next step is to clean those areas and monitor for new seepage.
1. wheel calipers
2. clutch slave cylinder
3. brake lines (hard and soft)
4. ABS valve body
5. Brake master cylinder
6. Clutch master cylinder
7. any other fluid device like a portioning valve
100 ml is like half a cup US so that should leave something wet - its just a matter of finding what's wet as the leak may be too slow to spot the driveway and may wash off in the rain etc. I'd do the cleaning then do some driving, firm test stops and see if you can produce some trail.
1. wheel calipers
2. clutch slave cylinder
3. brake lines (hard and soft)
4. ABS valve body
5. Brake master cylinder
6. Clutch master cylinder
7. any other fluid device like a portioning valve
100 ml is like half a cup US so that should leave something wet - its just a matter of finding what's wet as the leak may be too slow to spot the driveway and may wash off in the rain etc. I'd do the cleaning then do some driving, firm test stops and see if you can produce some trail.
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