I tried pushing really hard on the brake pedal to see how far it went down and the pedal slowly went lower as long as I was pushing hard. I lifted up and tried again - it started higher up and then slowly moved down. Is that normal or do I have a leak?

I wanted to check the fluid level and realised I have no idea where the brake fluid is! How do I check the level?

Thanks, Keith

 

was the motor on or off?

 

Motor was on, car was stopped and I was pushing very hard on the pedal to see what it would do.

 

The brake pedal should not gradually sink towards the floor. It sounds like an internal seal is bad in the master cylinder if the fluid level is not low. The reservoir is located on the driver's side (assuming left hand drive) and is located under the hood right at the fire wall (in the box under the vents).

 

Yes, sounds like a bad master cylinder.

 

I have been told by several MINI and BMW techs that this is normal, up to a point. I had the same concern after I flushed my system for the first time and noticed that the pedal would slowly continue to move down while stopped. It SHOULD NOT continue for long, nor go to the floor, but it will move a bit.

 

Thanks, That sounds pretty much what mine is doing. I'll wait for the next service to have it checked as the fluid level is good and everything seems to be working OK

 

I bet there is air in your brake fluid. Millions of tiny bubbles in the lines...

I'd get it checked/flushed.

 

^^ yeah thats what i was thinking, brake fade. Tends to happen with rubber brake lines because of flexing. Brake fluid absorbs water very easily and will cause brake fade do to lower boiling temps. Also bubles that are in your lines will cause brake fade. But maybe it is the master cylinder.

Do you notice that your brake performance is less than par? Is your pedal feel "squishy" when fully released and then pressed down?