Brake Fluid Leaking Under Middle of Car | What to Check?

Any car is supposed to slow down or stop whenever you press on the brake pedal. But when you notice a delayed slowing down even after pressing the brake, you’ll need to check under. Thus! if you notice the presence of puddles of liquid under your car it confirms that brake fluid is leaking.

There can be several reasons behind brake fluid leakage. But particularly when the brake fluid puddles settle under the middle of the car, there are issues with the brake master cylinder. The location of this cylinder mostly suggests it to be the primary reason behind brake fuel leakage.

In this article, I’ll discuss the core reasons behind brake fuel leakage and give you some probable reasons. Therefore, stay tuned with me till the end of this write-up.

Two Quick Fixes for Brake Fluid Leaking Under the Middle of The Car

Brake fluid leaking under your vehicle is a very usual scenario. Several reasons are responsible for the problem you are facing. But when the leaks produce puddles on certain portions of your car, the reasons and location of the problem narrow down.

I have listed two quick fixes for leaking brake oil to make your job easy. Have a look at those fixes below:

Replace the Seals

The master brake cylinder is prone to wear out after continuous usage. When you use the same brake cylinder for years, most seals fail, like the ones in the piston and valve. 

This seal failing is one of the core reasons behind the brake fluid leak from the master brake cylinder. The only method you can adopt to fix this issue is replacing the old ones with new seals.

You can fix all these yourself, but it would require much effort. That is why you should try a mechanic consultation.

Fix the Cracks

The cracks in the brake cylinder can be one of the core reasons behind brake fluid leakage. It is one of the most crucial parts of the vehicle’s braking system. Yet this component getting cracked can be a high possibility. 

The most common phenomenon can be the blows under the vehicle, resulting in a leaky reservoir. Apart from this, frequent traveling on bumpy roads may result in this problem. 

To fix this issue, initially, using some sealant may work temporarily. But you’ll be facing problems again in that regard. Therefore, to avoid the problem, you must replace the master brake cylinder altogether. 

How Will I Know If I Have A Brake Fluid Leak or Other Fluid Leak In My Car?

Not all the fluid leaks from the car are associated with the brake system. There can be different sources for such leaks, such as engine oil, coolant, transmission, or power steering fluid. 

Below, I’ve explained some of the things to notice for the particular oil leaks that might happen.

Red Fluid

When you see the fluid under your car is red, it could be either Power steering fluid or automatic transmission fluid. Both of these fluid types can change color over time.

When these fluids settle and form puddles for a considerable period, the color turns reddish-brown. If you see such colors in the puddles under your car, be sure that those aren’t from brake fluid leaks.

Orange Fluid

Such fluid color is seen when the coolant pours out from the leaks in the cooling system. It will have a sweet-type smell and will be slimy. Such fluid leaks require immediate attention as it indicates engine damage.

Blue Fluid

It’s a rare scenario that there is a blue puddle under the car. But it’s possible because it is the wind washer shield fluid color. It can even turn green with time. So, you need not be worried about brake fluid when you notice it.

Black Fluid

When you see black fluid puddles under your car, be sure it is from the engine oil leak. Usually, the engine oil is brown, but it gets darker over time. That is why you will see black or darkish-brown puddles settling whenever an engine oil leak occurs. 

Light Yellow 

Lastly, when you see the light yellowish fluid under your car, you can be sure it’s the brake fluid. This fuel leaks because of all the reasons mentioned above that I have included in this write-up. But sometimes, it can be darker brown when your car doesn’t have proper maintenance. 

For further confirmation, this fluid will be slippery and smell like fish oil. So, when all these things are noticeable, take immediate measures to repair the leak. 

Is It safe to Drive With a Brake Fluid Leak? 

Whenever you notice that your brake pedal isn’t functioning as it should, there is a possible leak. Such issues need immediate attention, or you won’t be able to avoid unwanted situations while driving.

That is why it is never safe to continue driving with a brake fuel leak. The total brake system in the car depends on the brake fluid in the brake reservoir. 

A fluid shortage in the system means you are risking yourself while driving. Therefore, I won’t recommend you drive with a brake fluid leak.

Read Also:

• Why Is Brake Fluid Removed From The Master Cylinder Prior To Working On Disc Brakes?
• Do You Have To Take Off Brake Fluid Cap When Changing Brake Pads
• Is Power Steering Fluid The Same As Brake Fluid
• No Brake Fluid Coming Out When Bleeding – Is This Normal?

Some tips for Brake Fluid Leakage Under the Middle of Car

Once you diagnose the problem with the fluid leak in your braking system, there is no going back. But you can avoid all these hassles with some regular maintenance. 

Inspecting the braking system regularly is something most people neglect. You must prioritize this, or else such issues will be prevalent. That said, I’ve added some tips below that might prove to be necessary:

• Use a newspaper under the car to identify the exact location of the leak. Make the car stationary and press the brake. The liquid from the leak and settling on the newspaper will navigate you to the exact location.
• Dirt does settle around small leaks and is hard to locate. Make sure to wipe off the dirt for a proper leak inspection.
• Use adhesives if the leak is miniature as a temporary fix

FAQs

The fluid leak from the braking system may stir up a lot of questions in your mind. I’ve answered a few below, which might help clear many queries.

Final Thoughts

A properly functioning brake system is what you need to ensure all the time. It is a must for safety and to avoid accidents while driving. 

But since fluid leaks are common in vehicles, it’s the same for the entire brake system. When you notice the light-yellowish puddles under the vehicle, it is undoubtedly the brake fluid leakage issue.

That said, you need to take immediate action and avoid driving with leaks at any cost. It would cost you $100-300 to mitigate the issue.

Moreover, safety comes first, and any brake issue is sensitive. Take such leaks seriously and mitigate them as early as possible.