Brakes grinding in wet - and anti-freeze reservoir empties!

Hi - first time poster.

I have a vauxhall zafira (2001, 80,000 miles) with a couple of 'issues' i hope someone can help me with!

1. Back brakes grinding in wet weather.
When we have had wet/damp weather, the back brakes make a grinding noise for the first few minutes of driving. Eventually the noise goes quiet - and the actual braking does not seem to be affected. Is this normal in these conditions?

2. Anti Freeze reservoir empties quickly.
My anti freeze reservoir needs refilling every couple of weeks. I have had it checked at a local garage who cannot find a leak at all. There is no evidence of leaks under the car, and the car engine does not get hot at all which i hope, shows no major problems. So where is all the anti-freeze going - is it evaporating??

Many thanks for any help! Quote:1. Back brakes grinding in wet weather.


Disc or drum? Have you had the hardware inspected? Could be the composition of the linings.

Quote:2. Anti Freeze reservoir empties quickly.


Have they pressure tested the coolant system when the engine is cold. It is either leaking externally or internally. If you can't find external leaks, the engine is probably burning the coolant or coolant is getting into the crankcase. Many thanks! I have had the brakes checked at a Kwikfit centre who have told me the brakes are fine - so what makes the grinding noise? There is no foreign body obstructing it, yet, after 4 or 5 stops, the grinding noise goes away? sometimes in wet or damp weather, condensation can form on the drums/linings or rotors/pads, depending on which kind u got. this can cause some noise til u start driving and heat from friction drys evrything out. aint much u can do about it, but its more annoying then anything else, it wont affect the braking performance. Thanks - with the cold/damp weather in the UK at the moment it does make sense! You are right - the braking performance isnt affected, yet I often get this noise in wet weather, so at first I wasn't too worried... its just the grinding noise sounds louder than normal.Car Repair Talk's forum.