Did I just tear a brake (or fuel) line off in a snowdrift?

[kjarrett]

We had about 7" of snow on the ground yesterday when I backed my '97 out of an unplowed driveway into the street on our way to a wedding. I may have gotten high-centered (had 4 adults in the car) because I got stuck. Once I freed the car I noticed a trail of yellowish liquid in the snow from underneath the car. There was a substantial amount, not just a couple dots. Had no smell to it, wasn't slippery like oil. Not being sure what it was but fearing it was brake fluid, I parked the car off the side of my driveway and we took the Rav4 to the wedding (I felt confident the Camry could handle the snow anyway and didn't want to subject the Rav to the bad weather.)

So now my car is sitting in what amounts to a snowdrift buried up to the wheels and more snow is on the way. I figure it may be several days before I can start digging the car out and even more before enough snow melts that I can see under the car without moving it.

If it is a disconnected/ruptured brake line, I guess I'm looking at a tow truck to haul it to the shop. Any other thoughts?

I have not been in the car since we parked it and don't know if the pedal goes all the way to the floor or not, which it would if the brake system was compromised.

Thanks, all.

-kj-

[kydude7]

Originally Posted by kjarrett

We had about 7" of snow on the ground yesterday when I backed my '97 out of an unplowed driveway into the street on our way to a wedding. I may have gotten high-centered (had 4 adults in the car) because I got stuck. Once I freed the car I noticed a trail of yellowish liquid in the snow from underneath the car. There was a substantial amount, not just a couple dots. Had no smell to it, wasn't slippery like oil. Not being sure what it was but fearing it was brake fluid, I parked the car off the side of my driveway and we took the Rav4 to the wedding (I felt confident the Camry could handle the snow anyway and didn't want to subject the Rav to the bad weather.)

So now my car is sitting in what amounts to a snowdrift buried up to the wheels and more snow is on the way. I figure it may be several days before I can start digging the car out and even more before enough snow melts that I can see under the car without moving it.

If it is a disconnected/ruptured brake line, I guess I'm looking at a tow truck to haul it to the shop. Any other thoughts?

I have not been in the car since we parked it and don't know if the pedal goes all the way to the floor or not, which it would if the brake system was compromised.

Thanks, all.

-kj-

If you brake line broke your pedal would have went to the floor as soon as it happened but you would still have a small amount of brake untill all the fluild hs leaked out. i would start the car and try to pump the brakes and see the pedal hits the floor. If it does cut the wheel all the way so u can see past the tire (on the side the fluid was comming from) and if possible have some one puch the brake pedal...You should be able to see it squirt. It very simple fix though. no worries

[kjarrett]

Some folks on another forum are suggesting it could be a fuel line. This makes more sense to me since the fluid was coming from the center of the car. I'm off to check the manual for location of the fuel line. Anyone done anything like this before (damage a fuel line by driving through snow?) The lines are probably pretty shot considering the miles on this car and that it's lived in NJ all its life...

[kjarrett]

Looking for pics or schematics for where the fuel lines run on a '97 LE 2.2 - have the factory repair manuals up - not sure where to look. Want to see the where the lines go from the tank to the engine. Thanks!

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by kjarrett

Looking for pics or schematics for where the fuel lines run on a '97 LE 2.2 - have the factory repair manuals up - not sure where to look. Want to see the where the lines go from the tank to the engine. Thanks!

The main and return fuel line run down the drivers side of the car all the way to the motor.

[kjarrett]

Awesome thx - how long do fuel lines last usually?

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by kjarrett

Awesome thx - how long do fuel lines last usually?

It honestly depends on how well you clean the vehicle. If you wash your car once a week, making sure to get underneath the car with a pressure washer your fuel lines can last forever. If you never clean underneath the car, the lines could last 2 - 6 years ( or more )depending on how much salt comes in contact with them.

If you have a fuel line problem, when you turn the key from "OFF" to "ON" Position your fuel pump will prime the system. If you have a main line leak, it will start dripping when the system is priming. If no leaks, start the car and run it and watch for fuel to leak. If it leaks while running, you more than likely have a return line problem.


Also, Just so you know if you were leaking a moderate amount of gas you would smell it for sure

[kjarrett]

Gotcha. Mind you the car is sitting in a snowbank on the side of my driveway right now covered up to center of the wheels. May not be able to dig it out anytime soon and more snow is on the way...but I'll report what I find. Thanks again!

[ajkalian]

Have you checked the brake fluid level in the Master Cylinder?

If the Master Cylinder is empty, then you have a brake fluid leak somewhere.

If the brake fluid level is full, then the leak is probably somewhere else.


.

[hzt30]

Did you hear any kind of noise when you got stuck to indicate this condition? You indicated that there was a substantial amount of fluid, not just a couple of dots. How did the brake pedal feel when you drove it back to your driveway? If you lost a substantial amount of brake fluid then the pedal should have sunk.

[kjarrett]

Don't recall the pedal feeling soft but when I parked it I didn't need brakes, the car just came to rest in more deep soft snow next to my driveway.

Haven't popped the hood yet either, car is still basically buried in snow, might have a look at it later today, will keep you all posted, thanks for the support!

-kj-

[kjarrett]

Here she lies:



Took a quick look underneath and behind the wheels as best I could, didn't see anything obvious like puddles of liquid or colored snow ... there is not that much to dig out but I can't get to it today, so it'll have to wait, hopefully we won't get hammered with snow on Tuesday/Wednesday. Will post back when I know more!

[uuuuu]

My initial thought is that fuel is pretty much clear (not yellow) and you would smell a strong odor (like another poster said). Check the master cylinder level and let us know what you find.

[LynchburgCSI]

Originally Posted by Mister_Perkins

It honestly depends on how well you clean the vehicle. If you wash your car once a week, making sure to get underneath the car with a pressure washer your fuel lines can last forever. If you never clean underneath the car, the lines could last 2 - 6 years ( or more )depending on how much salt comes in contact with them.

If you have a fuel line problem, when you turn the key from "OFF" to "ON" Position your fuel pump will prime the system. If you have a main line leak, it will start dripping when the system is priming. If no leaks, start the car and run it and watch for fuel to leak. If it leaks while running, you more than likely have a return line problem.


Also, Just so you know if you were leaking a moderate amount of gas you would smell it for sure

Perkins... only 92-96 models have a return style fuel system. They changed it in 97.

[kjarrett]

Checked the master cylinder, it's completely full. Exactly up to the very top where it should be. Guess I'm looking at a torn gas line then. Won't know for several more days. Snow in the forecast, it's staying parked for now...