yes, the normal way , in my world anyway.........besides looking for obvious
brake fluid leaks.........
like at the hoses say, or rear wheels........
is to bleed the brakes and see what you learn in that process.

Dot 3 brake fluid is fine, and what's specified anyway I believe.
if you find DOT 4........that's better.........higher boiling point, but not
really needed.

I'll bet you have it half figured out by now anyway.
Shouldn't be too crazy or difficult a repair.  one would hope any good
foreign car repair shop could handle it.
Can't think of any VW or vanagon specialists near Davis Ca right now.
I'm up the road a ways...........about 400 miles north of there, roughly.

oh......see www.roadhaus.com for shop recommendations and ratings.
there's a Vanagon rescue squad too I believe, vanagon members who will
direct or help you.

do you have much corrosion on your brake lines ? ......the metal pipes ?
I hope not..........but I've seen those quite rusted until 'one day'
..........something just has to give.
hope you get 'er figured out an on the road just fine , real soon.
Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Alcock" <doug.alcock@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2008 9:48 AM
Subject: Help-need advice and mechanic in Davis CA

> Hi gang--I just drove from Toronto to Davis CA. An hour away from Davis
> some
> moron 2 cars ahead of me on I-80 slammed on his brakes and came to a
> complete stop. So did the car ahead of me --- having no choice -I did the
> same thing. I did not think I had time to stop; but I stopped about 8
> inches
> from the second dude -- feaked about that and then freaked about the
> thought
> of the car behind me. Anyway, we all took off from there and I thought
> everything was fine until I pulled off the highway and tried to use my
> brakes --- they were toasted. I'm figuring I blew a brake line --I'd hit
> the
> brakes harder than I've ever hit brakes in my life. I had just replaced
> the
> master and slave cylinders so they should be good.
>
> So --- need a good Vanagon mechanis in Davis CA (van is an 84)
>
> What kind of brake fluid do I need (DOT3??)
>
> I think I'm dead out of brake fluid --- should I pump some in and then
> pump
> the brakes and look for leaks --- how do I diagnose this???
>
> Thanks in advance for help...
>
> Cheers,
> Doug
>
> --
> http://www.dougalcock.com