I've had the same experience as Michael, (embarassed to say I've done it twice).  I did flush out my fluid as early as convenient figuring it was "shot".  No problems since.
 
Ryan
 
> Date: Sun, 26 Sep 2010 17:27:42 -0500
> From: sandwichhead@GMAIL.COM
> Subject: Re: 90 Westy - Soft Brakes after driving with E-brake on for 30 miles
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> 
> I am not a professional, as all you volks know, but, I would just let it
> cool. Try it again, and bleed and refill when you can. Prolly just boiled
> the fluid and 30 miles ain't much. Not sure on the pad wear, tho.
> Michael in San Antonio
> 91GL Weekender AT 2.1L 'Gringo'
> 
> 
> 
> On Sun, Sep 26, 2010 at 5:07 PM, Annie <lsandrsn@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> > Ok - mind you, I am no mechanic . . . having said that . . .
> >
> > I know on the Jetta when my dingbat ex-husband drove it home with the
> > e-brake on from Seattle . . . in traffic . . . for 40-something miles . . .
> >
> > We had to put in a new brake booster and some other brake parts. You could
> > put fluid in but after a few presses on the peddle, no more fluid. It would
> > just squirt out and make a heck of a mess all over the wheel. Replaced the
> > brake booster and something else, which I can't remember at the moment but
> > it was part of the brake assembly at the wheel - maybe the caliper? I don't
> > know. The pads were ok, though.
> >
> > Anyway, maybe that's helpful. I hope. LOL ;-)
> >
> > *Annie Anderson* Blogger, Designer, Thinker & Mom
> > web: annieandersonblog.com email: lsandrsn@gmail.com
> > twitter: silverlunace <http://twitter.com/silverlunace> facebook:
> > anniesanderson <http://facebook.com/anniesanderson>
> > *Blazin' a trail where there is no path.*
> >
> > On Sun, Sep 26, 2010 at 2:36 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
> > scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
> >
> > > The parking brake works on both rear wheels.
> > > There is no 4 wheel car built anywhere on the planet with parking brake
> > on
> > > only one wheel.
> > >
> > > Obviously, a careful, drums off, rear brake inspection is in order.
> > > I wouldn't except the wheel cylinders to have suffered, unless from
> > > excessive heat. ..
> > > though 'maybe everything ...
> > > I have seen rear wheel bearings go out from driving with the parking
> > brake
> > > on, in a bad case.
> > >
> > > just inspect carefully ...whether there's cracked brake shoes, or fried
> > > drums, or whatever.
> > >
> > > it would seem that if the brakes where fine, and now the pedal is soft..
> > > this incident is probably why.
> > > I can imagine that the drums are out of round ..
> > > warped, etc.
> > > Careful thorough inspection is the next step.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Jack R." <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
> > > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > > Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2010 1:40 PM
> > > Subject: 90 Westy - Soft Brakes after driving with E-brake on for 30
> > miles
> > >
> > >
> > > Our friends drove their 90 Westy, for about 30 miles with the emergency
> > >> brake engaged.
> > >>
> > >> Now, they indicate that their brakes are very soft, and don't feel
> > right.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> I changed their Master Cly last year, and did the front pads... but now
> > >> need
> > >> a bit if guidance as
> > >>
> > >> to where to begin.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> I assume that the rear cylinder(s) may be shot, as well as the shoes and
> > >> maybe the drum(s).
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Does the emergency brake just engage the right rear or both wheels?
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Could driving the van with emergency brake engaged for that long have a
> > >> direct relationship to the soft peddle?
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Just looking for some advise on where to begin... and none of the "take
> > >> care
> > >> of the loose nut behind the wheel first"!
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Thanks!
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Jack R.
> > >>
> > >> N. of Detroit
> > >>
> > >
> >