Hey Neil, if it turns out that you need a new booster (which I really doubt)
I have a spare.

On Wed, Mar 24, 2010 at 10:34 AM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:

> On 3/24/10, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:
> > On Tue, Mar 23, 2010 at 11:58 PM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Yes. I hear a soft "whoosh" but could be a hiss. Pretty sure that part
> >> is normal.
> >>
> >> Feel of pedal changes when booster vacuum expired. I'm just about
> >> certain booster is working properly.  But.....
> >>
> >> I get what you're saying. Check pedal with engine off + vacuum gone
> >> and see if  pedal is sinking. i.e. feels like a failed MC.
> >>
> >> Neil.
> >>
> >
> >   What you're describing sounds like a faulty MC to me.  I replaced the
> one
> > in my 84 and a little over a year later (about 20k miles)  the new one
> again
> > started that same behavior, if I read right what you are feeling.  Mine
> had
> > no "clunk", though.  It simply sank way too low for my peace of mind.
>  Also,
> > mine would pump up again and then sink slowly under braking pressure...so
> > the symptoms may not be exactly what you have.
> >
> >   Before you 'throw parts" at the problem you might want to go back and
> > bleed it once again.  Be really meticulous with procedure.  Be 100%
> positive
> > you get all the air out, for sure.  Check that your bleeder valves are in
> > good condition, that you have a good fit on the tubing that takes the
> bled
> > fluid out of the valves, put that hose down into a glass jar and make
> sure
> > to keep the end immersed in some fluid as you bleed so that no air can
> > possibly return through the bleeder valve...  If you have *any* doubts
> about
> > whether you may have screwed-up during your bleeding procedure...go back
> and
> > start over again--Even if it is the very last wheel and the last spurt of
> > fluid......Air in the system...any at all..will cause weirdness.  You may
> > have a speck of dirt somewhere in a valve or opening, too.  Use a clean
> > 'catch jar' and check the fluid that's come out when you finish..
> >
> >   When I service brakes, I am scrupulously thorough.  The brake systems,
> > while actually pretty simple, are intolerant of mistakes and less than
> 100%
> > effectiveness, especially in a vehicle like our Vanagons, can sometimes
> have
> > really  bad consequences.
> >
> >   I like to use different color brake fluid when I bleed brakes so that
> you
> > can visually see you have fresh fluid all the way to the bleed valve.
>  ATE
> > is what I use, which comes in Super Blue and Gold colors.  Google it or
> > Pegassus racing has it mail order.  In a puzzling situation like you are
> > encountering, I would bleed the clutch, too...Probably needless, but as I
> > mentioned...Scrupulously Thorough..is best, for brake work.
> >
> >   Don Hanson
> >
>
>
> Thanks Don. All good tips.
>
> Wheel cylinders, calipers almost brand new. Each cylinder and caliper
> bled at same rate, so I assume no blockage.
>
> Fronts bled at a noticeably faster rate. I found this notable as hole
> in bleeder same ID as rears.
>
> No dirt entered system.
>
> Different colour fluid? Neat tip. Thanks.
>
> Bled clutch again, fluid dirty. No surprise as I only bled that a
> little recently, that being first time since purchase or Westy.
> (hangs head in shame. <grin>)
>
> With newly built pressure bleeder, watched stream come out of tube on
> rears. Tube not immersed. But. Flow was steady, no backing up. Hose
> secure to bleeder.
>
> I have a couple things to try first before throwing parts around.   :)
>
> Thanks very much people.
>
> Neil.
>
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
>
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>

--
Jake

1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"

Crescent Beach, BC

www.thebassspa.com
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27