Re: 87CSTQ - Brake System Wierdness

[Orin Eman <orin@wolfenet.com>]

> I had been driving around town for maybe ten minutes when the brake
> warning light came on with a beep--the one that (usually) indicates that
> the pentosin reservoir level is low. It had been some time since I'd added
> any, so I figured I'd top it up after I got home. About ten minutes later 
> (I hadn't stopped after the warning light came on), all the brake
> boost went away. Fortunately, I was within a block of my destination, so I
> parked it and went on to my appointment. When I came back about 40 minutes
> later, I popped the hood and found that the reservoir was less than a 1/4"
> or so below the full line. However, there was some pentosin on the
> top or the reservoir cap and some running down one side of the container.
> It looked like some back pressure had blown some of the fluid out the top 
> of the reservoir! When I started up the engine, the brake assist was back 
> and no brake warning light. I've driven it for a day and a half now, but the
> symptoms have not recurred. Any idea what happened? 

Next time it happens, stop (if you can), open up the hood and take a look.
I bet the Pentosin is foaming.  This can be caused by a dying power
steering pump, or the pump sucking air...  Since you have been topping
it up for a while, there must be a leak somewhere... perhaps at the
pump?  I believe this can also be caused by a failed check valve in the
pump.

Orin.