The Cessna 120-140 Association Forum

'47 C120

Every few flights (seems intermittent), we walk into the hanger to a small pool of red hydraulic fluid, right under the fitting that connects the right brake line to the fuselage (pictured).

The fittings on the picture felt tight, but I have torqued them down a little more. Looks to be dripping from the higher fitting (the one that actually makes contact with the fuselage).

Braking action seems fine, but worried that the system may run out of brake fluid.

Question: is refilling it something that a pilot/owner can do, or does it require an A&P (by regs, or by skill?).

Thanks!

v

"Replenishing hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic reservoir" is one of the tasks listed as "preventive maintenance" and may be performed by the holder of a private pilot's certificate. See part 43 appendix A for the other 30 tasks you may also perform.

That said, you need to know how to perform the task, which is a more than "I think I can figure it out" and you should also know how to make a proper log book entry to record performance of the task.

That said, you should fix the leak first, and that does not fall under the definition of preventive maintenance. There is a hard line on the other end of that fitting, called a bulkhead fitting, and it could have a leak in the opposite fitting, or in the line itself. If the leak gets worse, or the reservoir runs low, you will loose braking on that wheel.

Thanks John ... we're going to follow your advice, and have an A&P look for the souce of the leak.

If you remove the trim around the gear leg you may be able to see what's going on. Removing and replacing trim like that is also one of the things you can do.