CrisostamoSH90

I failed my state inspection due to a check engine light and my muffler being to loud (says them not me). I got the check engine light taken care of as it was just a small evap leak, went to a different shop knowing that they will be more relaxed about the muffler, and the guy tells me he wont pass me anyway because my master cylinder is bad. Dont know if this matters but i have an 03 grand.

My question is how can he say that just by pressing my brake pedal? i stop fine everytime, never have to pump the pedal at a red light. I will admit you have to press my pedal down a bit for the brakes to apply.

Anyone have any clue how much a new master cylinder would be if its decided i do need one?

thanks for the help,
Nick.

Bustedback

Call your local parts store or look them up on the interwebs and see how much it will be, jeez.

CrazyMacaw

Cost will depend on brand and if you go new or rebuilt.
I'd say anywhere between $50 to $150 for aftermarket.
Probably $250+ new from dealership.

CrisostamoSH90

thank you, that's more helpful. this question was more of a secondary question, the main one is how the guy got to the decision that it was my master cylinder

Bustedback

We can not see or feel what the brake pedal is doing, parts can range in price depending on your location, who is selling them, and who made them. Vague descriptions and lazy questions will tend to get answers like my last post.

CrisostamoSH90

if you read my original question i said you have to press the pedal down quite a bit before the brakes apply. also i told you that he pressed my brake pedal down and said it was the master cylinder. I turned to this forum for helpful answers as the people here are very knowledgable and I trust the answers I'm getting. I'm not here to argue I just want to get my jeep back to being legal to drive on a road.
Sorry for the lazy questions everyone, just a little tired of spending money to pass inspection.

if this helps the brake pedal is squishy and not very hard to push. as it was described to me today its at the floor.

Bustedback

Low and squishy are very descriptive. Have you had the hydraulic system open in the past? Air the the system can give you a low and squishy pedal.

CrazyMacaw

Second the air in the lines possibility giving the same symptoms.
If the system is free of air and the pedal will still go to the floor and feels squishy, that could be an indication that the piston cups (seals) in the master cylinder are leaking a bit and not allowing full pressure to build in the braking system which could be dangerous.

The inspector might not have seen any system leaks at the wheel cylinders/calipers, connections, external of the master cylinder or any indication that the system had been recently serviced while looking the vehicle over and told you that as it would be the most likely thing to cause the squishy low pedal aside from air in the system.