Corroded brake lines, but solved fuel econ. issue

1999GX/3.5/104k

Hi gang. I've been stopping into this forum on rare occasions for 5+ years but I lost my log-in info and had to re-register.

Probably 4 years ago my MPGs suddenly dropped from a solid 19-20 city to anywhere from 15-17, though on longer highway trips I could get around 26. I always calculate my fuel economy and this change happened literally from one fill-up to the next.

Over the years I've thrown a good bit of money at the problem. Some on stuff the car could use anyway, but probably over $500 down the drain. Went to at least 4 shops including 2 GM dealers.

So about a month ago I started up the olds and my brake pedal went to the floor. Found the brake fluid reservoir empty. Filled it up, and it promptly leaked out from the mid rear axle area.

AAA towed it to a shop that's been fair to me in the past. Long story short, in addition to the corroded brakelines, my rear calipers were frozen solid. I don't know a lot about cars so forgive me if I don't recall the mech's exact description, but aside from 2 rebuilt calipers and brakeline they also installed (or perhaps resurfaced?) the rear brake rotors and put on new pads.

With $240 for 3 hours shop labor and taxes it came to about $850. I don't know if that's a good price, but now that it appears my fuel economy is back to what it should be, it's worth every penny to me! My needle falls much more slowly and my last tank got over 19.5 mpg in all suburb/city driving.

Some of you probably think I'm nutty for going some 4 years with this problem, but the fact I've put under 20K on the car in over 5.5 years made it more tolerable than if I were a 10-15k/year driver.

I'm a bit peeved that I spent money I didn't have to (including a $70 brake inspection over 3 years ago!), but mostly I'm just delighted to have my old car back! I was starting to seriously consider buying another car, but with this problem solved and only 104k on the odo, I now plan to keep the Olds until it falls apart. Should save plenty that way, and she still looks good!

I'm not on here much but thought I'd post my experience in case it could help somebody.

Also I have a question if anybody's still reading; For maybe 3/4 of a tank after the repair the fuel economy was still poor. Then I noticed the needle dropping much more slowly and just confirmed MPGs are back to normal. I'm thinking it took a bit for the car to re-program the fuel mixture to the appropriate levels after running rich for so long. Does that make sense?

I am surprised, assuming the brakes dragged, that some burning smell was not noticed or lack of braking power, sounds strange to me.

I run 40psi front/38psi rear and at 52-55mph you can get ~35mpg. Try increasing the tire pressure and getting your car to roll.

Check the tires weekly/biweekly and balance them out. I use a Sears 19.2V inflator that I keep in my car with a 19.2V flashlight.

You never heard them crunching or screaching either? That is very odd both rear calipers went on my 99 Intrigue siezed in the braking position and we knew it, it was very loud.

Im not losing brake fluid but the pedal feel isn't stiff anymore. Where you always adding brake fluid?

And adding more tire pressure makes sense to stiff up the front to equal the tire hieght of the rear because of the wieght on the front wheels.
But my tires are 35psi max ands thats were I set it winter and summer.

I'm sorry I don't recall the exact description of everything that was wrong with my brakes. Went back to the same shop for an oil change but a different manager was working. He also said it was odd that there were no symptoms. The only thing I ever noticed was occasionally when driving on the highway, when there was a barrier nearby and a window was open I could hear a bit of a 'shwing shwing shwing' type of repetitive sound. I checked the brake fluid probably every 5k or so, but never had to add much. I'm pretty sure it all left when the brake line let go.