I just had a great day with the AMOC group in northern California-- we had approx 40 cars running at Thunderhill. I got in over three hours of track time and 210 miles on the track. No problems or issues on the track, yet as I drove home and finally had to use the brakes the last 10 miles from home I got a low brake fluid message--once at home I check and confirmed that the brake fluid was very low-- it was fine last time I was on the track about 6 weeks ago. Thunderhill is not particularly hard on brakes when compared to some other tracks so I am rather surprised by this. I have gone to high performance pads and switched to Motul brake fluid as a higher temp brake fluid and noted a marked improvement in braking when I did this about 6 months ago. I only had a couple of situations where I thought I had some brake fade today, yet nothing compared to before the switch in fluids and pads. Any ideas as to the most likely cause of the brake fluid loss-- if there was a leak in the system I would have expected a rather rude demonstration of that on the track today. I have heard the term boil off being used to the brake system- is that the most likely culprit? I would appreciate any suggestions as I try to work out how to evaluate the problem. It is easy enough to add more brake fluid, I just do not want to be missing the underlying problem. Thanks

 

Kent,
Thanks for the heads-up. Some have said they had to add Oil during track day so I have a quart with me--but I hadn't heard of low brake fluid. I plan to attend the HOD track day next Saturday at Thunderhill--my first track day with the Aston.
Dick Keenly

 

Problem solved-- it turns out I wore through more brake pads than expected in a single day at the track-- so the fluid level had dropped as the brake wear occurred. Fortunately I got in a complete day and can replace the pads this week. I was too tired Saturday night after getting up at 5 am to drive 180 miles to the track, spend 210 miles on the track and then drive home another 180 miles to look at things critically. Lesson learned.

 

klittlehale, do you have a point of contact for AMOC northern cal?

I saw the Aston Martin track day on the Thunderhill calendar and wanted to join but couldn't find a contact on the web..

Thanks.

 

klittlehale thx for the reply. the board sw didn't let me reply to you directly

 

hmm, you may want to check for leaks. it's hard to imagine fluid dropping so much with pad wear.

if you have bled the brakes, be sure the inner and outer nipples are closed tight.

check for leaks in the master cylinder.

for track day, i would have stayed there the night before. no need to rush it to the track and you'll be much more rested.

 

I HATE driving out of the SF Bay Area Friday night--horrible traffic that would have increased the drive time by at least an hour, and my blood pressure by 20-30 points. Early Saturday morning and the drive is easy and not stressful. To each their own.

 

Hi Pog
Go to www.amoc.org and you can find the membership materials for AMOC West USA which includes the Northern CA region. Let me know if you have any further questions.