Date:         Wed, 15 Jun 2011 20:49:40 -0700
Reply-To:     Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject:      Re: Weak Brakes - '88GL
Comments: To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=response

hi John,
you say 'brake fluid is up'...
but you didn't start driving a van that's been sitting 10 years and not
immediately change the brake fluid did you ???
 I even change the brake fluid on my parts vans when I get them..
that's how old and watery bf gets sitting for years.
And how very bad it is for the brake components to have watery brake fluid
in them..
it just ruins them.

so if you have not ..
do change the brake fluid.
if you use a manual method ...........don't stroke the brake pedal very
far..
no lower than half way down.

it's not sounding good ..
but in all cases..
changing brake fluid is a *diagnostic* procedure ..
not just a service procedure.
How it acts when you do that ........tells you a lot.

 I prefer a manual bleed method as you can easily feel and tell what the MC
is doing ..
like if it's pumping air or not.

re the booster..
mainly you make sure the whole rest of the brakes are good..
and that vacuum is getting to the booster..
and then after that you can start thinking about if it's faulty or not.

maybe your brake fluid is so watery you could make tea with it.
but I hope not !~
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rodgers" <inua@CHARTER.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 7:58 PM
Subject: Weak Brakes - '88GL


>  Today I drove Ol' Blue, my #2  '88GL with manual tranny. This is my
> project van that I rescued after being stored 10 years. Brake fluid is
> up, no leaks at each brake, good parking brakes - but with engine
> running the pedal goes almost to the floor. It;s like the vacuum booster
> for the brakes is boosting. On Ol' Red, with foot on the brake pedal,
> when the engine starts, I can feel the pedal move as the booster kicks
> in. Not so on Ol' Blue. When rolling, the brakes are pretty weak, and
> the pedal is almost on the floor. I have noticed that when I put on the
> brake, it feels like the brake pedal arm scrubs against something.
>
> Anyone have any suggestions as to what the problem might be - and how to
> approach it.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
>
> --
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com