If you don't know when the last time the brake lines have been flushed,
it's definitely time to
flush them.

Steven

91 Westy

On Mon, Sep 25, 2017 at 5:54 PM, Ryan Perry <rjdperry@gmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks Dennis, checked the level and was at max. I can't say how old the
> brake fluid is so maybe it's time to change it?
>
> Is there a definitive test anyone knows for master cylinder and brake
> booster?
> Thanks
> Ryan
>
> On Mon, Sep 25, 2017, 3:27 PM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Check master cylinder fluid level. Combination bad cylinder and brake
> > booster can let engine vacuum suck the fluid out of the master.
> > Next would be brakes dragging or otherwise overheated and you vapor
> locked
> > the brakes. Problem could be compounded by the fluid being old and
> > saturated with water.
> >
> > Dennis
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> > Of Ryan Perry
> > Sent: Monday, September 25, 2017 3:14 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Stumble and Loss of Brake Pressure Heading Up a Pass
> >
> > This one is new for me, taking it to the collective brain trust!
> >
> > '84 Manual with a newly installed 2.2l GoWesty. Runs fine in all normal
> > driving conditions. When heading up a pass for camping this weekend,
> think
> > Western NC, couple thousand feet elevation over 4 miles or so.  The van
> was
> > under moderately heavy load in 3rd gear, RPMs on the high side but
> nothing
> > outrageous, was holding steady in power.
> >
> > About 4 mins in the power hiccups slightly then continues on. I had a bit
> > of a corner so tapped the brakes lightly and find no pressure. Really
> > weird.  Made it to the top for a short flat and found I had to pump
> brakes
> > to get pressure.  This was short lived for a single application. As soon
> as
> > I let off back to no pressure, had to pump again. Then back up the next
> > section of the cut under similar load and had the same stumble at about
> > 3-4min in then carries on fine. Top of that cut and the end of our trip
> out
> > the van is running fine, though a bit hot as expected, but no brakes
> > without pumping.
> >
> > Parked,  camped,  had a great time celebrating or 4th wedding
> anniversary.
> >  (Someday I'll show you all or vanagon wedding pics, you'll like them)
> > Anyway, leave Sunday and brakes are fine, engine is fine.
> >
> > What do you think? Related? Coincidence? Vacuum line or booster? Fuel
> > pressure or pump?
> >
> > Thanks for any ideas, i try to keep stopping at the top of my list of
> > fixes!
> >
> > Ryan
> > Asheville,  NC
> >
>