Brakes

[UPPERS1]

Hi hope someone can help

I've owned a 1.3CL J plater for a few months now and its been brilliant I only use it once or twice a week but its started first time every time even when its really cold.

This morning started fine, pulled away drove to the end of my road, went to brake and sh1t no brakes. I thought I was going to drive into the main road but luckily there was a small amount of life right at the end of the pedal..

When the engines off the brakes aren't as sof as when the engines on?
Also the brakes have been fine up until that point, well as good as they should be I suppose.

Is this the master cylinder?

Thanks

Simon

[dino]

Try posting in the relevant forum at the top of the index - you will get more response as this is a DIY Guides section.

[warrmr]

dont quote me on this. but it could possibly be a vacume leak on the brake booster.

with the engine off pump the brake pedel abotu 3 times till it stiffens up. hold it down hard and turn the ignition on your pedal should soften up telling you its workin but should not hit the floor.

if the pedel doesnt harden up with the ignition off then its prolly the boosters fault and you will find it very hard to stop.

if you look in the engine bay on the left under the fluid res you will see a round black thing with some black rubber pipe coming out and going towards the engine once again dont quote me on this. check that hose for splits as thats prolly where your leak is from.

id ask bstardchild as he seems to be the fountain of knowlage round here.

if you look in the haynes it will give you exact locations of all the vacume hoses for the booster and where all the check valves are and what way there suppoed to be flowing.

[omicron]

When the engines off the brakes aren't as sof as when the engines on?

That's the effect f the brake servo, it gives power assistance to the brakes, but that's not the problem.

In the first instance, I'd be all over the underneath of the car looking for a corroded brake line, split flexi hose, dead wheel cylinder, are the main suspects, calipers don't often leak in my experience, but give them a good look over too. No joy there, bleed the brakes, if it's still an issue, it's bigger problem - in which case report back.

[SpikeyG40]

i'd stay give the whole brakes a good look over. look for tell tell signs of leaks etc. if none are found, bleed the brakes as there maybe air pockets in the lines!

also looking at the boost line is a good idea, to me it sounds like it could be that! but as i've never come across this myself, i'm only using common sense and knowledge.

hope that helps

regards
Doug

[UPPERS1]

Thanks for all the replies and sorry for posting in the wrong section to begin with.

Only just got back so I'll have a look at everything you've all suggested this weekend.

Cheers

Simon

[SpikeyG40]

good luck! make sure you let us know how you get on, then we will be able to sleep once again