Seal in master cylinder fails allowing brake fluid to pass into the booster chamber. Diaphragm in booster fails allowing brake fluid to the vacuum side of the booster. Fluid is sucked into the intake through the hose connecting the booster and the intake manifold. Brake fluid mixes with intake air and presto! White smoke out the tailpipe.

Jim

> On Oct 15, 2021, at 3:47 PM, Gene P <olgreywoof@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> The first part addresses the OP’s confusion about the booster, but the second part confuses me.  How does brake fluid get drawn into the intake system?
> 
> From: Jim Arnott
> Sent: Friday, October 15, 2021 2:43 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: 82 air cooled automatic vanagon
> 
> The booster is forward of the instrument cluster (Bentley 47.10)  not in the engine compartment.
> 
> Blown power brake booster and master cylinder..  The white smoke was the brake fluid being drawn into the intake system and burning. No start may be a combination of vacuum leak (to the brake booster) and/or fouled plugs from the brake fluid.