In a message dated 11/15/04 1:01:58 PM, craigoda@GMAIL.COM writes:

<< What's the real danger of  my current brake condition?  The van always
stops and offers good resistance on the brake pedal when I pump it. >>

Craig,

The real danger is that someday you will scream, "God help me!!!" as you try
to stop the van.  This is from the Voice of Experience who once had a
catastrophic brake failure on the Geo. Washington Parkway near the Iwo Jima Memorial,
on a Friday at about 5:00 PM, while doing 55 MPH.  Wherever the driver's seat
from that van is, it is indelibly stained brown for the rest of time

There might be an internal leak in your master cylinder (see the List from
about a week ago) and it is not getting better with age.  For the sake of
accuracy, what you should have stated is: "The van always HAS stopped . . ."

So, replace the master cylinder and check the brake system regardless of the
time, the effort or the money.

George