Discovery #1 - when a tech with many years experience says one thing and your eyes see otherwise, check your eyes or look at it differently until you see what he's saying. (thanks peter, rear resevoir drained)

once refilled, i depressed the pedal and hear a spritzing sound... sure enough, there's a leak near the rear left (driver side) wheel. diagram to follow....

http://charteq.corp.eol.ca/20040829hc5.gif

Leak Diagram

Is this a PITA job or one that could be considered by a relative DIY novice?

many thanks to all who have replied.

Patrick