That's exactly what we are going to do. Betting it's leaking at the back of the master cylinder. I usually smell anything strange like that, but if it's under the carpet, maybe my smeller missed it. I have used silicone when I have installed complete systems. Last car we did was our '62 LeSabre. I replaced the single master cylinder and booster with a new dual master along with a new booster. We opened all the bleeders and let fluid run out. Then we tightened the bleeders and bled each line until 'purple fluid came out. Then we went another complete round again. Zero problems.
Checked under carpet. Fluid there and the firewall. Ordered a master cylinder. $35.00 plus core. Derek, did you get yours figured out?
Well guys I still can't figure it out. I just took off the master and checked rod distance again. All good. -Bench bled the master. -Opened all four bleeders with 5' of hose attached higher than the master and let it gravity bleed for 45 min or so. -Some fluid to rear but not much, correct fluid level on front. -Took off rear lines to verify no clogs or messed up fittings, flexible hose is brand new SS line. -I can get pressure to the rear but very spirty -Tried another prop. valve with same results. -Tried another master (bench bled good), same results. -Checked all shoe adjustment, can turn but a slight drag. I can get a weak pedal with motor off, motor on it goes to the floor. I think i'm done messing with it and will save up to have it taken to a shop.
Before you take it to a shop, try this, I had to do this on my wifes '01 Safari van. Helper in drivers seat, open farthest bleeder from master (right rear) with the helpers FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, open bleeder, helper SLOWLY DEPRESSES PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN, hold it, close bleeder, release pedal. My theory with this is filling the lines up with fluid first, THEN pressure bleeding, theres gotta be a non compressable substance in the lines before theres any pressure. It worked for me anyway
Well guys I got them working. A friend suggested I try a reverse bleeder. Found one at NAPA for about $40. 5-8 pumps on each rear and 2-3 on each front. Boom. I had brakes. The pedal was still a little low so I gave each a few more pumps and finally got decent pedal feel. Thanks for the help and suggestions, can't believe something so simple could turn into such a hard project...
