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Fixing the brake booster failure issue on my 2018 Amaze MT

2nd August 2024, 09:33 by Rahul Nagaraj

The issue kept reoccurring almost every 4 months until I had to take it to the service centre for a check-up.

BHPian Rajat347 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hey Folks,

I have a June 2018 Honda Amaze V MT. The car is a reliable partner so far even though it has clocked only 33,000 km and has been serviced only from Honda service centers.

The car is suffering from brake booster failure. From the past 1.5 years, I noticed that the brake oil is getting finished in 3 - 4 months. Initially, I didn't mind and got it filled from a Shell petrol pump. The same thing happened after 4 months.

This time I took it to Shetty Service Center, Pune and the guy checked the brake calipers, brake hose and brake drums for any visible leakage but no luck. He simply filled the tank with Castrol and I moved forward.

The problem reoccurred after 4 months and this time I took my car to Garve Honda, Pune for service and brake issues. The service associate and the GM there were quite experienced and pointed straight to the brake booster leakage. Upon thorough check-up, it was found that the brake booster was eating away all the oil and recommended a brake booster replacement. Ironically they didn't have the spare in the inventory and just filled the brake oil tank. They said it's a very rare issue.

Now the problem reoccurred after 2 months and I pushed the service centre to order the spare. The master cylinder assembly + power set master will cost around Rs. 9,300 + labour cost and taxes.

I never felt issues in braking and the car still has solid brakes, but the brake hazard indicator indicates the issue always.

What is your take on the situation? I am willing to pay the money, but do you suspect any other issue?

Here's what BHPian Jeroen had to say on the matter:

If I recall correctly on the Honda Amaze the brake booster comes as one with the brake master cylinder attached.
It is not the booster itself that is leaking. There is no brake fluid in it. Only air and vacuum. As there is no brake fluid visible on the outside it means the master brake cylinder attached to the booster has an internal leak. Brake fluid makes its way past the piston seal.
That is a serious issue that can affect the braking performance of your car over time.
Master cylinder can be overhauled, if you can get the spare parts. Even so, on something important as the brakes, I would just replace it. And yes, on your car the master cylinder and the booster appear to come as one.
Good luck

Here's what BHPian AMG Power had to say on the matter:

Don’t gamble as far as the brakes are concerned.
Change every part that the ASC (experts as you say) suggest as needing replacement.
Especially as one has not been able to isolate the issue.

BHPian Rajat347 provided an update on the matter:

An Update!

I visited the Garve Honda, Bopodi Pune and finally placed the order for the spares.

They are saying that they need to change the master cylinder + Power set master 9-inch

Spares cost = Rs 9,300 and the part will arrive in 7 days.

One of the reasons behind the damage can be a low running!

I work remotely and my son's school is in the society where we live. So not more than 1 KM of daily commute.

Also, the vehicle was parked for 2 years straight during COVID because we were not in Pune. It has been 6 years with 33000 KM ODO, and the tyres have developed cracks too. They all need replacement and I don't want to go for expensive shoes. CEAT or MRF will solve the purpose for me.

Final Update from BHPian Rajat347 on the matter:

Finally got the Brake Booster assembly replaced. The Black Booster had all the leaked oil. As per the SA, this is a rare fault and the warranty covers that. But as my car was not under warranty I had to shell out Rs 12,000 for the whole activity.

All well that ends well and hopefully, the brakes are fine now.

Here is the bill break-up: