Yep - sounds like a rusted brake line.  To find it, crawl under the van to
the spot where you think the leak is - bring a light - then have a friend
push on the brake pedal for you (i find that friends are one of the most
important tools in the kit :)).

I repaired a rusted brake line with some patience - still need to road test,
though...

Mark

On Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 10:25 PM, Karl Ploessl <karl.ploessl@gmail.com>wrote:

> happened to not once but twice: rusted through brake lines. First time
> no problem had it towed and fixed but I guess it just waited for the
> next rusted piece to bust: Had to step somewhat hard to stop and the
> pedal went immediately all the way down. After the first experience I
> knew what it was. Emergency brake is your friend: it's mechanically.
> Anyway brake fluid dripping down the front wheel. That was on vacation
> on Cape Cod and we found a mechanic who had all the tools to put a new
> brake line in. Now I am "waiting" for the next weak spot to bust...
>
> On Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 1:28 PM, B Feddish <bfeddish@netreach.net> wrote:
> > OK, in my vans usual MO of having problems close to home....
> >
> > I was stopping for a light when I could of sworn I saw a puff of smoke as
> my
> > brakes completely failed.  Pedal all the way to the floor. Luckily I was
> > traveling up hill and stopped inches from bumper in front of me.  Luckily
> I
> > just had to do a U turn into a reputable foreign car service place which
> is
> > where it now sits.  The girl behind the counter, after I explained what
> > happened, actually asked "Do you want to leave it here or bring it back
> > Thursday?".
> >
> > Anyway, my real question is why did the brakes fail completly? I see
> fluid
> > coming out near the firewall so why did I lose front brakes too? I
> thought
> > they had advanced since my '65 beetle and had 2 chamber master cylinders.
> Or
> > am I dreaming?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Bryan
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Karl
> 1981 VW Westy "Jenny"
> 2000 VW Jetta GLS VR6
> Wilmington, DE
>

--
Mark
1990 Westy (2.1 - manual)