Date:         Wed, 06 Sep 1995 09:47:00 -0700 (PDT)
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Maher, Steve (SD-MS)" <SMAHER@PO2.GI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Brakes inconsistent



> > > My '78 (Murray) is braking rather irregularly these days. After long
> > > highway sections (infrequent braking) the brake pedal sinks rather
> > > close to the floor without producing much stopping power. The problem
> > > is resolved after a pump or two when brake pressure is returned.
>
> snip...
>
> > Mark, have you been losing brake fluid?  Any wetness anywhwere in the
> > braking system that might indicate a leak in the system?  Wheel
> > cylinders, master cylinders, couplings in the lines?


I just replaced the (leaking) master cylinder on my '71, which is rather
a different creature than your '78. But guess what I found-- the vacuum
servo for the power brakes (master cyl bolts to it) was COMPLETELY FULL
of old, grungy-looking brake fluid. We're talking like a quart or two here.

This bus (got it recently) must have been losing brake fluid for a LONG
time, without any ever showing up on wheels, master cyl or servo exterior,
or any place else-- until the engine started blowing out vast clouds of
opaque, white smoke.

Something you might want to check.

 -Steve Maher    smaher@gi.com    '71 VW Transporter