I have an 88 Ranger that is driven only occasionally and usually only to
make cross state deliveries (about 500 miles round trip once a month or
so) and had the rear brake pads and rear seal replaced last November at
a national chain that does mufflers/brakes. I had the oil changed at a
service station the end of the following January. A month and a half
later I noticed the brake light was on and the brake pedal could be
pushed to the floor with little resistance. The truck could stop but
only with plenty of advance warning, otherwise the emergency brake was
necessary.
I checked the brake fluid reservoir and noticed that the cap was hanging
off to the side and the reservoir was empty. When I complained to the
service station they said they would check it out, replace the fluid and
bleed the lines of air.
Later that day I was informed that the 4-5 month old rear seal was "bad"
and that the fluid had leaked out there and would have to be replaced.
They also mentioned that they might have to replace the master cylinder
as well.
They also mentioned that simply leaving the cap off the reservoir would
not cause the fluid to leak out to the extent that brake functioning was
compromised.
My question is this: can leaving the cap off the brake fluid reservoir
cause the brake fluid to leak out to the point that it did?
Any ideas?
Thnaks for your comments.