Master cylinder recall

[Crazypierre]

Hi
While looking for a Master cylinder for my 131, I came across this recall. Interesting....maybe that's why mine is not working as it should.  Certainly the symptoms they describe here are similar to mine. Maybe I'll contact my local Fiat dealer and see if they'll do it free of charge even after 30 years! Now that WOULD be a result.
Pete

1975 Fiat 131 Recall
Item Affected: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
Date Announced: 10/12/1979

Description of Recall:
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE REAR RUBBER SEAL OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY PREMATURELY WEAR. ABNORMAL AIR INFILTRATION INTO THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WOULD RESULT, CAUSING SELF-BLEEDING DIFFICULTY. ALSO, LONGER BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WOULD BE EXPERIENCED AND COULD LEAD TO PARTIAL OR TOTAL LOSS OF ACTION ON THE FRONT END BRAKES.

Action Needed To Fix It:
DEALER WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR AND INSTALL A NEW TYPE OF BRAKE LEVEL WARNING INDICATOR, WITHOUT CHARGE.

[simon131]

Things is, you're 131 isn't a 1975 model. Don't think it would apply to you.

[sid131]

bit like "ashes to ashes" ?
go back in time

[jseabolt]

HA! Seems like every MC I install on a Fiat starts leaking externally after 3 years. Just as the recall says, the real seal fails. But the brakes seem to work OK, just makes a mess.

The MC on my Yugo right now is leaking a bit. It's been on there for about 4 years and 5K miles.

I have salvaged several MCs by dismantling them, cleaning the bore/seals,  and rearraging the seals. I found that lubricating everything with DOW Corning's O-ring and valve lubricate works well. It's a silicone lubricant. I tested it to see if it would dissolve in brake fluid and it doesn't. This was DOT3 fluid. I don't know about silicone brake fluid.

I'm not sure if these MCs are not being lubricated from the factory and that's what's causing the rear seals to start leaking or what.