Date:         Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:12:09 -0500
Reply-To:     Gregg Carlen <gregg.carlen@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gregg Carlen <gregg.carlen@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Loose brake master cylinder resevoir
Comments: To: Tom Hargrave <thargrav@hiwaay.net>
In-Reply-To:  <010c01cbd3de$30ce54a0$926afde0$@net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252

Hmmm, so I added about a 1/4 of brake fluid to the resvoir (just a hair
above the max mark) and after a few pumps, the pedal returned to what it
appears to be it's 'normal' level (albeit squishy now).

The symptoms (squishy pedal that traves to the floor) appeared within a
matter of a 10 minute period (2 stops at red lights).

I'm spending the afternoon at the Army base auto shop tomorrow to do the
suspension (ball joints and and a tie rod end) and shock replacements (4
Koni's), so I'll add bleed the brakes to the list.

Definately worthy of more inspection as to the cause. If I've got a m/c
going bad, is there a way to put it to the test?

On Wed, Feb 23, 2011 at 11:49 PM, Tom Hargrave <thargrav@hiwaay.net> wrote:

>  If it’s like the Mercedes I’ve worked on its attached to the master
> cylinder through two rubber plugs. And they all will wobble if you move them
> back and forth.
>
>
>
> I don’t think you sucked air in through one of the plugs, I think your
> master cylinder has just failed.
>
>
>
> I know it’s new but new part failures happen more often than people
> realize.
>
>
>
> Tom
>
> www.towercooler.com
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] *On Behalf
> Of *Gregg Carlen
> *Sent:* Wednesday, February 23, 2011 10:00 PM
> *To:* vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> *Subject:* Loose brake master cylinder resevoir
>
>
>
> So there's no suprise that my new van has more suprises in store for me.
>
> Driving the other day and the brake pedal goes almost to the floor. Thought
> I might have lost a brake line or a brake piston or some other oriface that
> fluid would leak out. When I got home (yes, it still stops, just the pedal
> goes almost comletely to the floor). The braking also became very
> squishy/soft.  I first checkd the master brake fluid resvoir. It was normal
> (just below the max line). Just to be sure, I did the usual crawl around
> underneath looking for leaks and under the master cylinder for anything
> that
> might be leaking. Nothing. Dry everywhere.
>
> Then I noticed the master cylinder resevoir itself was loose. Kind of
> wobbling on top of the master cyclinder. This is a new master cylinder (PO
> said he had it replaced and the old one is in a box in the back with other
> spare parts).
>
> I'm suspecting that I wasn't leaking any fluid, but that I've sucked air
> into the brake lines. I think when the PO had the master cylinder replaced
> that the resevoir plugs (Bently 47.2) were reused and not replaced with
> new.
> If I gently/carefully rock the resevoir, I can see that one of the plugs
> has
> moisture around its edges.
>
> So, besides asking your collective opinion as to what might have failed in
> the brakes, is there a way that the master brake resevoir is SUPPOSED to be
> secured? Or, is it just held in place by the 2 resevoir plugs?
>
> Cheers,
> Gregg
> 90 Westy
>  ------------------------------
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