Had this the very same problem you described-
it was leaking around resavoir seals.Replaced
seals,bleed the brakes,it's been 2 years-no problem
Gerry
-----Original Message-----
From: Peter <printstud@CSI.COM>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Tuesday, May 12, 1998 10:54 AM
Subject: Brake fluid leak around master Brake cylinder:

>Brake fluid leak around master Brake cylinder:
>
>Dear Fellow Syncronauts,
>
>   I started seeing "wet spots " on the carpet below steering wheel
>about 2 months ago, at first I thought it was water, but soon noticed
>the spots
>were not drying.  The brakes were working ok, but could be stiffer.  I
>usually leave the syncro parked in my garage, but had occassion to leave
>
>it in the sun for several days undriven.  Then I found alot more fluid
>had leaked down, finding its was to the stepwell at drivers side door,
>and
>immediatly dissolving the paint inside & out, an auful mess... I figured
>
>the sun & heat must have caused some pressure that forced the leak?
>      I removed the instrument panel and found the fluid on the MB
>cylinder.   I had had the MB cylinder replaced 2-3 yrs ago with a 1 yr
>warrenteed rebuilt.  I couldnt believe it was already gone bad??  But
>the
>resavoir was near empty.
>    I cleaned & dried it off and refilled it with fresh fluid, and put a
>piece
>of paper under it to try & determine where the leak came from?
>  I let it sit for a WEEK (without driving it) and very little fluid has
>
>come out, only about 3 drops, (but it is parked back in my cool garage).
>
>       So far a drop seems to develope on the nut on the bottom of the
>cylinder
>but could be comming frome above, I suspect the rubber seals to resavoir
>
>which do appear to have a little fluid around them...
>   Im trying to determine if the leak is the master brake cylinder, in
>which case does it need to be replaced?  or is it comming from a
>connecting line or the rubber connectors above it that "seal" the
>resavoir??  In which case the MB cylinder wouldnt need to be replaced,
>that wouldnt solve the problem...??
>
>     I would like to hear from others who have had a similar problem,
>what your experience had been...
>
>    Also I if it is the cylinder itself that needs replacing, I wouldnt
>buy
>another with a one year warrentee.  I notice there are two rebuilds out
>there at FLAPS with LIFETIME WARRENTEES: one for $85 (DURALAST)  and the
>other is A-1 Cordon for $100.  I figure if they have a lifetime
>warrentee I should be in good shape...??!!
>
>  Thanks for any thoughts....
>
>Cmdr. Syncronaut Peter Igo
>'87 vw vanagon Westy Syncronaut 85K
>