Well today I was riding in the bonne with my g/f and the brake light came on and went out a few times during our 10 mile trip. After we stopped I checked the brake fluid and found that it was low. As I was re filling it I noticed a stream of break fluid running down the car from the master cylinder. Does this mean that the MC is out/going out for sure, or is it possible that its just a gasket or something?

MC is probly the only break repair I've never done, so any info on the proccess would be helpful. Especially info on bench bleeding. Thanks alot.

99% its the MC...its a somewhat common failure on your year...common every 100,000 or so. Mine has been replaced for the exact same problem.

There are no gaskets for the master cylinder. It'* the MC itself. I've done an MC replacement but I can't really be too thorough on the bench bleeding process. Instructions and hopefully a bench bleeding kit will come with the new MC. It'* basically like bleeding the brake system on the car. There are plastic fittings that screw in the master cylinder and some plastic tubing to connect to them. You fill the MC reservoir w/ fluid and press in the piston (or whatever it is) to bleed it.

Any certain brand to get or aviod? Autozone has a remanufactured one for only $55ish it has the same lifetime warranty that the new one has and the new one is $100ish. Is it worth it to just get the reman one? or will I have more problems with it later if I do? Also is this something that has to be taken care of right this moment before I drive it again? Or will it be ok as long as it has fluid til saturday when my g/f gets paid?

Please......please don't go to Auto Zone.(unless you need a hat or some hotwheels cars)

Yep mine was leaking right there at the brake booster. Took about 45 minutes to bleed the new MC and install it. I didnt have to bleed the brakes. Is that normal, did mine about a week ago.

You didn't bleed That'* not normal

There are o-rings in the MC. The internal ones seal around the plunger (in line with the shaft from the brake pedal) and if they leak they tend to fill the vacuum booster.

The other o-rings seal the resevoir into the MC and if they leak it will stream down the side of the MC, as will a cracked resevoir.

Just an FYI

Yes, thats correct. After I put the new MC on I drove it around for awhile. The brakes have never felt better and have not given me any problems. The wife drives the car and has no problems. i dont know why either but as long as the keep working im not going to say anything.