On Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:00:39 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:32:17 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

On Jun 22, 5:15*am, Wizard of Woodstock wrote:
On Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:15:06 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:



that looks like a serious dose of the clap, you got *there Tom. Too
much exposure to salt in a tight spot.

Don't think so - if that were the case, the entire system would be
compromised like this and it's pretty clean up the tube to the brake
actuator - just a dirt.

What I think happened is that the solenoid let go - that's basically
brake fluid corrosion. This has been leaking for sometime - that's
what I'm thinking. *I have had to add brake fluid over the years, but
it's a pretty open system so evaporation I figured - apparently not.

No indication it was leaking either until it let go.

On my trailer (23' Marquis) it's all exposed and so it has less means
of build up.

The pic of the brake line looks evil too. and it might be a lot of fun
trying to bleed the brakes with them baptized in brine as well.

I've seen that on an old Escort I had that had a brake line release.
Corrosive stuff brake fluid.

Well, I'm not one to dispute the Wizard, but I've sen many an old car
and/or truck that had a gazillion miles and years on them and no rust
on the cast iron brake reservoir.

I wonder what the difference is? something abotu the heat under the
engine compartment causing something not to rust and corroede?

I've been arguing for years about how the "hygroscopic" quality of
brake fluid sucking up water is waaay overstated.

I would have to agree with you actually. My tractors use standard
brake fluid and I've never had a water problem - well, the one time
the Super A ended up in the irrigation pond at the orchard, but that
wasn't my fault. :)

Ok it was - just shut up about it.

Can't remember exactly now, but other brake mechanics/scientists say
the internal corrosion is caused by chemical reactions of the metal
with the fluid and has nothing to do with water.

Had an interesting discussion with the trailer mechanic up at
Northeast Industries this morning about this very topic. According to
him, the only truly safe way is to use rubber hose, not metal
throughout the system.

I'm sure that will spark some discussion. :)

Tom should slice that rusted line in half with a diatomic scalpel
(can't remember the SciFi short story, but it was a hell of a scalpel)
and take a look at the inside of the line.

That's not a bad idea - I might do that.

Don't have a diatomic scalpel, but I do have a tubing cutter and some
fiber optic fibers.

Hmmm...

You're right Vic - I remember that story but I can't remember who
wrote it or what it was about.