On Friday, I got my 1981 300D started up again after sitting for about a month. Started and ran like normal, but when I went for a test drive I found that I had no brakes! Fortunately I live on a rural dirt road. If I pushed the pedal to the floor as hard as I could, it felt like one of the rear brakes would lock up and the car would kind of skid slightly sideways and stop. I checked the master cylinder and found that it was empty. I filled it back up and played with the brakes a little with no real change ( I realize that I will need to bleed the brakes at the very least). I was just wondering if there was a common place that the fluid would leak from so that I can start my search there (I did not notice any place that was obviously leaking and I had not noticed a leak prior to this). I have a fair amount of mechanical knowledge and I have worked on brakes before, I'm mainly looking for any advice on any quirks that are unique to the MBZ as far as the brakes go. Thanks

You need to have the air bled out, then check for leaks.

Leaks can happen is lots of places, like rubber lines, caliper seals, metal lines can get metal fatigue or rubbed through. This system is pretty straight foward.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

99 W210 E300 Turbo Diesel, chipped, DPF/Converter Delete. Still needs EGR Delete, 232K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Gone and still missed...1982 w123 300D, 1991 w124 300D

I'm nut sure if the 300D master cylinder is the same as the 240D cylinder of that year, but I noticed that you have to almost overfill the reservoir to fill both chambers. One of your chambers might be empty. Hopefully it's not leaking into the booster.

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No matter how many times you explain it to me, I'm still right.....Surf-n-Turf

Like I said, I know I need to bleed the brakes, I was mainly wondering if there is a really common place for leaks on these vehicles so I could start my search there.

Personally, I have not seen a weak area as far as brake fluid leaks go, except for all the normal ones found in any other braking system.

Sorry to have offended you.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

99 W210 E300 Turbo Diesel, chipped, DPF/Converter Delete. Still needs EGR Delete, 232K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Gone and still missed...1982 w123 300D, 1991 w124 300D

A "hidden" leak would be between the MC and booster. An o ring lives there. Remove the four bolts, and try to see if there is any fluid in the booster. No need to remove any brake lines, so you can check anytime without having to bleed system. Hope this helps.

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83 SD

84 CD

I didn't mean to sound offended, I wasn't. I was just trying to clarify what I was getting at in my question.

Not a problem! Thanks for the kind words.

So, a SWAT sniper huh? I bet you hear a lot about ex-wives and services you could provide!

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

99 W210 E300 Turbo Diesel, chipped, DPF/Converter Delete. Still needs EGR Delete, 232K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Gone and still missed...1982 w123 300D, 1991 w124 300D

But seriously, that FORD got jealous real quick, didn't it?

Bettin on the booster.

Regards

Run-em
1983 300SD -aka- SPARKY THE DIESEL