Questions and Answers

Honda CRX Brake Fluid Leak Q. I have a 1985 Honda CRX with manual transmission. Brake fluid is disappearing from the reservoir but no visible leaks. My mechanic says he thinks the brake master cylinder is letting brake fluid around the piston and the vacuum system is sending it out the exhaust pipe. Is there a way to confirm this? Can the master cylinder be honed out and fixed with a new piston? Thanks, Joe

A. It is easy enough to check. Just take the two nuts holding the master cylinder to the brake booster and pull it out enough to see the seal around the push rod. If it is leaking it will be quite evident.

If you can find a rebuild kit and rebuild the master cylinder yourself, the cost of parts and your time would make buying a rebuilt more economical.