Brake Job Problems

[kenleyf]

Started a front brake pad replacement (1989 FJ 62, 190K) job this weekend and everything seemed to be on track for a very easy job. I did some research on the forum before starting and thought I had it all under control.

I bled the system using a one-man bleeder in order and that went well. I did the pad replacement this afternoon and that went suprisingly well also. Just as I was thinking everything was going well it was real clear that I had done something wrong.

NO BRAKES!!!!!

I bled the master cylinder according to the FSM thinking that was the problem but still NO BRAKES!!

I assume I have a leak in the system but have no idea where to start on this one.

In addition to no brakes, I have "white" smoke coming from the tailpipe!! An absolute disaster when I thought things were going right. I am almost 100% certain the two are not related so I guess when it rains it pours. I have never had problems with any kind of smoke coming from the truck. I also have not had problems with overheating although the temp gauge has been moving between cold to normal during trips to work.

Any help is appreciated for a frustrated shade tree mechanic. Thanks.
KenleyF

 

[takeitforgranite]

Totally thinking out loud here, but.... Is it possible that the white smoke you're seeing is brake fluid being burned by the engine? Is there a way that the brake booster vacuum could carry the fluid to the engine? I've read that if you do the seafoam treatment, you're supposed to use the brake booster vacuum line... which goes to the engine. Is it possible you have a leak there / connected something incorrectly?

 

[kenleyf]

Please forgive my ignorance but what is the seafoam treatment? Nothing connected/reconnected incorrectly because everything went right back where it was. The driver's side rear bleed took a while to get clear fluid but I am pretty sure I did it correctly. I tightened all the bleed plugs as they were and there was not any brake fluid on the ground when I was pumping the brakes.

 

[SKINNER]

Checker your vacuum booster for brake fluid. takeitforgranite is right, same thing happened to me. Rear seal on the primary piston failed, emptying the reservoir into my booster....

 

[kenleyf]

How do you check the vacuum booster for brake fluid? If this is the case what do I have to do to fix it? I pumped lots of fluid through the system so I might have very well damaged something. Newbies have to learn the hard way unfortunately.

 

[Sweetdoo]

Is the white smoke coming out of your tailpipe, or could brake fluid be leaking onto your exhaust somewhere?

 

[kenleyf]

It is most definitely coming from the tailpipe and the other holes in the exhaust and lots of it. There is "water" on each side of the muffler which made me think it might be the head gasket. I have never had any smoke problems so I am puzzled. I did spill some brake fluid on the exhaust but the smoke begins shortly after start up so the exhaust is not hot enough to burn that off.

 

[brett76]

one time i bled my brakes right except i didnt. lots of white smoke from the one caliper that was working and getting superhot. and i had no brakes. almost killed me

 

[kenleyf]

Since you lived to tell the story what was the conclusion?

 

[kenleyf]

Brake Job Problems- UPDATE

Ok, bled the system again and found the brakes. I have not gotten brave enough to try them on the street but they work good in the driveway.

I am now fearing bad things related to the white smoke.

It is still smoking like a freight train from the tailpipe and there is smoke in the engine bay.

Some details:

White smoke from the tailpipe
White smoke in the engine bay but not as bad as rear
"Water" from tailpipe
"Water" on each side of the muffler
Upper and lower radiator hoses have more pressure than they ever have.
Some antifreeze on the steering components
No abnormal noises or operation
No overheating that I am aware of
Replaced radiator, water pump and all hoses a year or so ago
Factory temp gauge has been fluctuating from normal to cold during trips to work and back

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks to all who have responded so far.

KenleyF

 

[brett76]

Since you lived to tell the story what was the conclusion?

i didnt bleed the brakes good enough.

did you check your oil? make sure its not milky? if you have an exhaust leak at the motor and water in the block maybe?

 

[takeitforgranite]

Never had one, but sounds kinda like a blown HG.

 

[Sweetdoo]

I blew a head gasket in a '78 mini-truck, and you could smell the antifreeze in the smoke from the tailpipe. That may or may not help. Good luck.

Ben

 

[kenleyf]

The first thing I did was check the oil and it looked fine. I will check again to make sure but it was a nice honey color and was not runny or milky. Other people are suggesting that it is most likely a head gasket.

How can I check for this at home without taking it to a shop?

Again, thanks to all who have responded.

Kenley

 

[kenleyf]

Checked oil again and it looks the same.

I also checked one of the spark plugs and it looks fine, did not have any white residue.

I tried to run the truck with the radiator cap off after pumping some of the coolant out but the coolant bubbled right back out of the top of the radiator. It seems to me that I have a cooling issue and might very well be the head gasket or even worse a cracked head.

I just need for someone to tell me how to check for that instead of hauling it to a shop for such.

Thanks.
Kenley