Fluid; Diagnosis And Testing - Brake Fluid Contamination; Standard Procedure - Brake Fluid Level Checking; Specifications Brake Fluid - Chrysler PT Cruiser Service & Repair Manual

PT

FLUID

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - BRAKE FLUID
CONTAMINATION
Indications of fluid contamination are swollen or
deteriorated rubber parts. Swelling indicates the
presence of petroleum in the brake fluid.
To test for contamination, put a small amount of
drained brake fluid in clear glass jar. If the fluid sep-
arates into layers, there is mineral oil or other fluid
contamination of the brake fluid.
If the brake fluid is contaminated, drain and thor-
oughly flush the brake system. Replace all the rubber
parts or components containing rubber coming into
contact with the brake fluid including: the master
cylinder and reservoir; proportioning valves (non-
ABS); caliper seals; wheel cylinder seals; ABS
hydraulic control unit; and all hydraulic fluid hoses.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - BRAKE FLUID
LEVEL CHECKING
Brake fluid level should be checked a minimum of
twice a year.
Master cylinder reservoirs are marked, FULL and
MIN, indicating the allowable brake fluid level range
in the master cylinder brake fluid reservoir.
CAUTION: Use only Mopar brake fluid or an equiv-
alent from a tightly sealed container. Brake fluid
must conform to DOT 3 specifications. Do not use
petroleum-based fluid because seal damage in the
brake system will result.
Although there is a range, the preferred level is
FULL. If necessary, adjust the brake fluid level to
the FULL mark listed on the side of the master cyl-
inder brake fluid reservoir.
SPECIFICATIONS
BRAKE FLUID
The brake fluid used in this vehicle must conform
to DOT 3 specifications and SAE J1703 standards.
No other type of brake fluid is recommended or
approved for usage in the vehicle brake system. Use
only Mopar Brake Fluid or an equivalent from a
tightly sealed container.
CAUTION: Never use reclaimed brake fluid or fluid
from an container which has been left open. An
open container will absorb moisture from the air
and contaminate the fluid.
CAUTION: Never use any type of a petroleum-based
fluid in the brake hydraulic system. Use of such
type fluids will result in seal damage of the vehicle
brake hydraulic system causing a failure of the
vehicle brake system. Petroleum based fluids would
be items such as engine oil, transmission fluid,
power steering fluid, etc.
FLUID RESERVOIR
REMOVAL
NOTE: Before proceeding, (Refer to 5 - BRAKES -
WARNING)(Refer to 5 - BRAKES - CAUTION).
NOTE: The master cylinder does not need to be
removed from the power brake booster for removal
and installation of the brake fluid reservoir.
(1) Clean the master cylinder housing and brake
fluid reservoir exterior surfaces.
(2) Remove the brake fluid reservoir cap. Using a
clean syringe or siphoning tool, empty as much brake
fluid as possible from the reservoir.
(3) Remove the vehicle wiring harness connector
from brake fluid level switch in master cylinder
brake fluid reservoir (Fig. 74).
(4) Remove the two plastic pins holding the reser-
voir to the master cylinder (Fig. 68).
Fig. 68 Master Cylinder Reservoir
1 - BRAKE FLUID LEVEL SWITCH RETAINING TABS
2 - RESERVOIR RETAINING PINS
3 - SEAL
BRAKES - BASE 5 - 37