2003 Civic EX - brake fluid leak
 

Just verified that I have a fluid leak in my 2003 Civic EX. My wife and
I had a concern about two weeks back but couldn't tell if there was a
leak. Pretty obvious now. although it still only comes out in drops,
probably 5-6 overnight.

Leak is in the front behind the condenser fan towards the passenger
side. I see two hoses running from the engine towards the front, they
split right/left although the one on the passenger side appears to go
down a little sooner than the one on the driver side. Both have a small
hose coming from the engine which connects to a larger hose, a metal
clip holds them in place (the kind that wraps around and is tightened
with a screw).

The driver side hose appears to be leaking fluid at the connection
between the large hose and the small one. Fluid is following the hose
down, dripping on a piece of the bumper and then on the concrete. Fluid
is light brown (color of peanut butter) and is very slippery.

Is this brake fluid? Do I need to replace the hose that is partially
covered with brake fluid?

I'm not going to drive the Civic until I take it in, but is it dangerous
to drive the Civic even to a repair shop? I estimate that it's 20 miles
to a Honda dealer, 5 miles to a general service shop. The general
service shop may repair it under warranty since they just replaced the
brake pads back in April (could they have caused this? would they have
messed with the hose at this connection?).

Thanks for any tips, I'm really looking to see if it is brake fluid and
what safety risks there are in driving it. Other comments are welcome.

--
gorf

Re: 2003 Civic EX - brake fluid leak
 

gorf wrote:
> Just verified that I have a fluid leak in my 2003 Civic EX. My wife and
> I had a concern about two weeks back but couldn't tell if there was a
> leak. Pretty obvious now. although it still only comes out in drops,
> probably 5-6 overnight.
>
> Leak is in the front behind the condenser fan towards the passenger
> side. I see two hoses running from the engine towards the front, they
> split right/left although the one on the passenger side appears to go
> down a little sooner than the one on the driver side. Both have a small
> hose coming from the engine which connects to a larger hose, a metal
> clip holds them in place (the kind that wraps around and is tightened
> with a screw).
>
> The driver side hose appears to be leaking fluid at the connection
> between the large hose and the small one. Fluid is following the hose
> down, dripping on a piece of the bumper and then on the concrete. Fluid
> is light brown (color of peanut butter) and is very slippery.
>
> Is this brake fluid? Do I need to replace the hose that is partially
> covered with brake fluid?
>
> I'm not going to drive the Civic until I take it in, but is it dangerous
> to drive the Civic even to a repair shop? I estimate that it's 20 miles
> to a Honda dealer, 5 miles to a general service shop. The general
> service shop may repair it under warranty since they just replaced the
> brake pads back in April (could they have caused this? would they have
> messed with the hose at this connection?).
>
> Thanks for any tips, I'm really looking to see if it is brake fluid and
> what safety risks there are in driving it. Other comments are welcome.
>
> --
> gorf

if it's water soluble, it's brake fluid. yes, you need the hose
replaced. if the leak rate is not too fast, it's probably ok to drive
to the 20 miles - you have a split circuit braking system so you'll
still be able to stop - but take it EASY.

Re: 2003 Civic EX - brake fluid leak
 

gorf <gorf@invalid.com> wrote in
news:6IW7f.23807$5e4.6808@tornado.texas.rr.com:

> Just verified that I have a fluid leak in my 2003 Civic EX. My wife and
> I had a concern about two weeks back but couldn't tell if there was a
> leak. Pretty obvious now. although it still only comes out in drops,
> probably 5-6 overnight.
>
> Leak is in the front behind the condenser fan towards the passenger
> side. I see two hoses running from the engine towards the front, they
> split right/left although the one on the passenger side appears to go
> down a little sooner than the one on the driver side. Both have a small
> hose coming from the engine which connects to a larger hose, a metal
> clip holds them in place (the kind that wraps around and is tightened
> with a screw).
>
> The driver side hose appears to be leaking fluid at the connection
> between the large hose and the small one. Fluid is following the hose
> down, dripping on a piece of the bumper and then on the concrete. Fluid
> is light brown (color of peanut butter) and is very slippery.



Your description is more that of power steering fluid than brake fluid.

The brake lines within the engine bay are all very thin, and steel. The
only rubber ones are at the wheels, and you have NO screw-type clamps on
your brake hoses.

Check the power steering fluid reservoir. Is the fluid low?

Has the car been in a collision?

What sorts of devices do you find at the ends of the hoses?



>
> Is this brake fluid? Do I need to replace the hose that is partially
> covered with brake fluid?
>
> I'm not going to drive the Civic until I take it in, but is it dangerous
> to drive the Civic even to a repair shop?



Depends on if it's actually brake fluid or not. I don't think it is.



--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Re: 2003 Civic EX - brake fluid leak
 

TeGGeR® wrote:

> Your description is more that of power steering fluid than brake fluid.
>
> The brake lines within the engine bay are all very thin, and steel. The
> only rubber ones are at the wheels, and you have NO screw-type clamps on
> your brake hoses.
>
> Check the power steering fluid reservoir. Is the fluid low?
>
> Has the car been in a collision?
>
> What sorts of devices do you find at the ends of the hoses?

Thanks for the replies, I can't trace the lines back to any particular
source/destination from any vantage points that I have. Car was in a
collision in July 04 and a service tech in April "fixed a hose on the
drivetrain" that he said was bent back in the wrong position (likely
from a bad repair after the collison). The hose has a screw clamp but
the neighboring hose has a spring clamp. Could be power steering fluid
though. I'll check the level tonight. Would type more but now my
monitor's wigging out (the aperture grille bars are clicking/flashing...
lovely).

--
gorf