Brake Fluid Leaking - Safe to drive?

[AerotusX]

Hey guys, last night my brake started to lose pressure and the pedal start going to the floor before stopping. This morning I noticed brake fluid leaking at the front driver side wheel. Is it still safe to drive (carefully, braking early) to the dealer/shop or should I get it towed? If there a chance of full brake failure?

A side question is does this failure covered by Audi warranty? If yes, I first need to drive to 1-hour to my shop to flash back to stock tune, then drive 1-hour back to the dealer to get it cover by the warranty. If not, then I will skip the dealer and drive 10-min to an indy-shop to get it repaired and pay out of pocket.

What are your thoughts and suggestions. Thx!

[tonton]

Please dont drive it. Without fluid the car wont brake.

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[bhvrdr]

Please dont drive it. Without fluid the car wont brake.

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2nd. No brakes no drive. Could be the start of a line completely failing or whatever. You hit someone and kill them you'll feel pretty embarrassed

[BlownOne]

If the pedal went to the floor and there's visible fluid leaking, do not drive it. Especially 1+ hour distances. Brake lines have nothing to do with ecu/tcu (I know you don't want to be flagged td1), but it would be cheaper to take it to your local shop and have them change the lines and fluid. Might as well order steel braided lines for probably about the same price as oem and they will last forever.


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[AerotusX]

Thanks guys, this is my original thought also that better be safe than sorry. Btw, I replaced my fronts about 6-months ago with new Stoptech rotors, Akebono pads, Stoptech SS lines, and STR-600 fluid. So, I'm thinking the leak is coming from the master cylinder? If so, what is the typical cost to replace the master cylinder? and would Audi replace this under warranty? If not, then local shop is definitely the route to go. I don't mind paying up to a couple of bills to get this fix (conveniently). But if it's going to cost me 5-6 bills, I'll want to know if Audi will cover it under warranty.

[bhvrdr]

Thanks guys, this is my original thought also that better be safe than sorry. Btw, I replaced my fronts about 6-months ago with new Stoptech rotors, Akebono pads, Stoptech SS lines, and STR-600 fluid. So, I'm thinking the leak is coming from the master cylinder? If so, what is the typical cost to replace the master cylinder? and would Audi replace this under warranty? If not, then local shop is definitely the route to go. I don't mind paying up to a couple of bills to get this fix (conveniently). But if it's going to cost me 5-6 bills, I'll want to know if Audi will cover it under warranty.

If its leaking at the front driver side wheel you may want to get the car up and take off the wheel and see where its leaking exactly from. It could be one of the bleed screws loosened up or the brake line is loose at the caliper or the connection at the frame in the wheel well. Maybe you get lucky and it costs you nothing and all you have to do is tighten something.

Mike

[Johnnycash]

silly question?

arent the master cylinders designed with dual reservoirs in case of a leak, so as a fail safe you would still have partial braking abilities?

[VeeDubbinJetta]

If it's leaking at a wheel, I wouldn't suspect a master that is leaking. Since you replaced the lines with stainless already, I'd guess something worked itself loose or wasn't fully tightened when installed. As someone else said get the wheel off and take a look.

[04Moroblue]

silly question?

arent the master cylinders designed with dual reservoirs in case of a leak, so as a fail safe you would still have partial braking abilities?

Generally they are, but if you have an absolute massive leak and air in the system.... still a bad idea to drive it more then like a few miles with hazards on kinda thing. In an emergency yeah you'll still have something.

[Johnnycash]

Generally they are, but if you have an absolute massive leak and air in the system.... still a bad idea to drive it more then like a few miles with hazards on kinda thing. In an emergency yeah you'll still have something.

iirc each reservoir holds fluid for front/rear so to lose all of your brakes you would have to have leaks on both fronts and rear which is very rare unless someone intentionally sabotaged them...I understand the fronts do the majority of the braking so losing your fronts is more dangerous. thanks for clearing that up!

[cspcrx]

If it's leaking at a wheel, I wouldn't suspect a master that is leaking. Since you replaced the lines with stainless already, I'd guess something worked itself loose or wasn't fully tightened when installed. As someone else said get the wheel off and take a look.

What he said!

[AerotusX]

Thanks guys! I just got home, but it's a bit dark outside so I didn't get a chance to check. I will take it to my local shop in the morning, which is only 1.8 miles away. They did my brake replacement last time, so they should be familiar with the work. I hope it's just a loose bolt or line and just need tightening. Will update again after the diagnostic.

[Crucible35]

Had similar on my 2015 A4 that has 72,000 kms on the original brakes. Expected to have a brake job to remedy, but the dealership checked and I had a leak, with limited fluid left. They tightened something, did a brake fluid flush. Was told I still had lots of life in my pads. Brakes are perfectly fine now.

[jonwoods]

Note that brake fluid is also excellent paint remover if you need a reason other than basic safety not to drive the car with a brake fluid leak.

[AerotusX]

Just an update. It turned out to be a loose brake line, just like most of you predicted. The shop tighten it, clean it up, test drove, and all is fine now. Thanks a bunch for everyone's advice!