[T3] Houston, we have ignition!

[Dave Hall]

The drain valve is listed in the parts book as from '67.  Could be it simply
wasn't fitted before then, or was a different design for some reason and
NLA, so not listed.  Someone on here will know, I'm sure.

  With the metal angled plate behind the pedals, you can't see the floor
under the pedals, and most of our (lower trim spec) Type 3s have rubber
mats, so I guess a fluid leak would be more obvious in a carpeted car, as it
would soak through to the surface.

Dave.
UK VW Type 3&4 Club
===================

-----Original Message-----
From: type3-vwtype3.org-bounces at lists.vwtype3.org
[mailto:type3-vwtype3.org-bounces at lists.vwtype3.org] On Behalf Of Jim Adney
Sent: 30 July 2011 17:46
To: type3 at vwtype3.org
Subject: Re: [T3] Houston, we have ignition!

On 30 Jul 2011 at 10:56, Dave Hall wrote:

> Just for information, if the rear seal does leak, the fluid escapes 
> into the front bulkhead and then into the floor-pan tunnel and 
> eventually will find its way to the floor drain at the rear of the tunnel.

The weld between the bulkhead and the pan, and between the tunnel and the
pan, isn't leaktight, so the fluid will also appear under the pedal cluster.
That's where it usually shows up first. If you're using DoT-3 or 4, it's a
good idea to get familiar with the smell of brake fluid. It has a
distinctive smell that is usually the first thing I notice. The silicone
DoT-5 doesn't have much of a smell at all.

> Since '67 there's  a rubber drain valve here (like the one on the 
> crankcase vent drain, but not exactly the same), but it can be knocked 
> off if the car goes over long grass or rutted tracks.

I didn't realize that drain only began in '67.

> It can be a bit surprising when looking for a fluid leak to not find 
> one, when the reservoir level is dropping.  It's surprised me once, 
> until I realised where the fluid was going!

I agree; that would be a surprise. I've never seen it get that far, but
maybe that's more likely if the car is parked slightly nose up.

--
*******************************
Jim Adney, jadney at vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
*******************************

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