New rotors, lines, pads: gradually dropping brake fluid levels

[chickentendah]

Okay so I had my new Rotora O.E. spec rotors, lines, and brake pads installed not too long ago. And ever since then, my brake fluid levels have been gradually dropping. The first time my check-brake-fluid-light went on, I "topped off" the reservoir with more fluid, so it sat between MAX and MIN.

It has been a week (of normal city driving) since the topping-off, and the fluid has already dropped close to MIN again. The check-brake-light has returned.

Is this normal, and is dropping fluid levels a part of the "breaking-in" process? Or, should I start to get worried? Since I had my brake system re-done professionally by my trusted mechanic, I doubt there's a leak somewhere. (Of course, I will leave the possibility open.)

[Touchdown038]

Hate to get you worried, but if you have to keep topping it off, you most likely have a leak somewhere.

[BadMojo]

I'd go see your trusted mechanic again. The fluid is going somewhere...you might want to take your wheels off and inspect your calipers and the brake lines, both on the caliper side and the hard lines.

If you were leaking that much fluid from the master cylinder I'd imagine that you'd see an immense amount of corrosion in that area of the engine bay, so I'd check out the area of the calipers and the new brake lines.

[navysnail]

yep, its definatly leaking, and when my master cylinder was leaking, it striped the paint on the rail under it and now its rusting near the shock tower

[chickentendah]

Okay so I just topped off my brake fluid reservoir again. If it drops AGAIN, then I will sadly have to confirm my suspicions of a leak.

I could not find any signs of leakage around all 4 calipers or lines. But, I did notice that the paint underneath the master cylinder is stripping. I don't get it. There were no visible signs of a "leak" all around the master cylinder. There's one thing I didn't mention, I am using Motul DOT4 Racing Brake Fluid (while the reservoir cap urgently recommends DOT3 only). Does this have anything to do with leakage?

So where and how did your master cylinders leak?

[s13sr20chris]

dot 4 conforms to all dot 3 specs. i would not worry about that. it sounds like a very slow leak(in the world of brakes anyway). it may be hard to find. a possibility is a master cyl that leaks into the brake booster. that can be hard to find. still if it was leaking at the base of the master cyl it would be enough to notice. easy to leave one connection loose.

[gogg]

check the inside of the rims for wetness after sitting.