Forum Discussion

MetalGator's avatar
MetalGator
Nomad
Mar 04, 2020

F53 brake master cylinder failure

The last couple of trips I have noticed that I had oily water under the front drivers side of my 2018 Miramar motorhome. The only time I didn't see a small puddle was when I didn't use the AC on one trip.

The motorhome is still under warranty (Ford) until June so I took it to a large Ford truck dealership that's nearby. I called today to get a status and the service rep said they were waiting on a part, some type of cylinder. I am assuming he was referring to the brake master cylinder as that is where I suspected the leak was coming from.

I think the condensation from running the AC was washing off some of the fluid that was leaking from the cylinder and that was what I was seeing as the puddle under the drivers side.

I only have a little over 11K miles on the motorhome. Is this type of failure common on the F53 chases? I haven't seen much mention of master cylinder failures on the F53 so I am hoping this is an isolated incident.

Burch
Class A
  • garyemunson's avatar
    garyemunson
    Explorer II
    Mar 05, 2020
    Might as well flush the entire brake system while you are at it, Ford manual calls for every 2 years.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Mar 04, 2020
    No matter the location right left or center the good news is that magic word WARRANTY.. Glad it happened that way .. May the "Total bill $0.00" be with you.
  • Chum_lee's avatar
    Chum_lee
    Explorer
    Mar 04, 2020
    MetalGator wrote:
    Chum lee wrote:
    Only use the specified brake fluid if you need to top off. (see your owners manual or the reservoir on the MC)

    Chum lee


    I would think you would need some type of pump to fill the bin. The master cylinder is high up in the compartment and right under the dashboard. Barely enough room to take the cap off.

    I will report back once I get the motorhome back and talk to the service writer. He did tell me this was covered by the Ford warranty.


    Yes, it is tough to add brake fluid on the F53. You'll need some type of siphon or pump. A turkey baster (filled with brake fluid) with a flexible clear plastic hose on the end will work in a pinch. Or you could try using an old (empty and well cleaned) hand sanitizer bottle with pump. IMO, don't use the baster in the kitchen again unless you clean it really well, . . . . . . . and, . . . . . don't tell anyone else. Make sure the Ford Dealer tops the reservoir off with new fluid before you leave the shop.

    Chum lee
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Mar 04, 2020
    Not very common. On my 12 F53 Forest River Georgetown there is enough room to fill it with a small bottle of brake fluid. I just flushed my brake system last fall. I’m sure other manuf may have made it less easy to add fluid.
  • MetalGator's avatar
    MetalGator
    Nomad
    Mar 04, 2020
    Chum lee wrote:
    Only use the specified brake fluid if you need to top off. (see your owners manual or the reservoir on the MC)

    Chum lee


    I would think you would need some type of pump to fill the bin. The master cylinder is high up in the compartment and right under the dashboard. Barely enough room to take the cap off.

    I will report back once I get the motorhome back and talk to the service writer. He did tell me this was covered by the Ford warranty.
  • Chum_lee's avatar
    Chum_lee
    Explorer
    Mar 04, 2020
    MetalGator wrote:
    The motorhome is still under warranty (Ford) until June so I took it to a large Ford truck dealership that's nearby. I called today to get a status and the service rep said they were waiting on a part, some type of cylinder. I am assuming he was referring to the brake master cylinder.

    I only have a little over 11K miles on the motorhome. Is this type of failure common on the F53 chases? I haven't seen much mention of master cylinder failures on the F53 so I am hoping this is an isolated incident.

    Burch


    IMO, chances are it IS an isolated incident. At the age/mileage of your motorhome, it is not a common failure, but, it does happen. Watch the brake fluid level in the master cylinder in the future. It should go down slowly over time as the brake pads wear, but it should never go below the "MIN" level between brake pad changes. Only use the specified brake fluid if you need to top off. (see your owners manual or the reservoir on the MC)

    Chum lee
  • Yankee_Clipper's avatar
    Yankee_Clipper
    Explorer
    Mar 04, 2020
    I'm on my second F53 rig, and I have not heard of master cylinder failures before. Usually wheel cylinders will fail first, or the brake media will need to be replaced(rotors/pads). If the master cylinder were to fail, I'd expect you'd have a YIKES moment that would leave no doubt what had happened.
    Good luck working this out. I'll be curious to see what Ford has to say.
  • MetalGator's avatar
    MetalGator
    Nomad
    Mar 04, 2020
    RLS7201 wrote:
    Right and left side of vehicles are referenced like you are sitting in the driver's seat.
    That puts the master cylinder on the front left side.

    Richard


    If that is the case, yes it would be on the front left. I referenced the leak as being on the drivers side on my first post.

    Just curious if anyone has had this issue with the F53 before.
  • RLS7201's avatar
    RLS7201
    Explorer II
    Mar 04, 2020
    MetalGator wrote:
    The brake cylinder is on the front right. It's way up in the engine compartment. I don't see how you could even add fluid to it as there is really no room above it. Underneath the master cylinder looks like the power steering. Under that is the windshield washer fluid tank. The washer fluid tank had a film of oily/water solution on it after my last trip. The fluid got on part of the frame of the motorhome and the black paint is starting to bubble. I have been told that brake fluid will do this to paint.


    Right and left side of vehicles are referenced like you are sitting in the driver's seat.
    That puts the master cylinder on the front left side.

    Richard
  • MetalGator's avatar
    MetalGator
    Nomad
    Mar 04, 2020
    The brake cylinder is on the front right. It's way up in the engine compartment. I don't see how you could even add fluid to it as there is really no room above it. Underneath the master cylinder looks like the power steering. Under that is the windshield washer fluid tank. The washer fluid tank had a film of oily/water solution on it after my last trip. The fluid got on part of the frame of the motorhome and the black paint is starting to bubble. I have been told that brake fluid will do this to paint.

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