Hard brake pedal 1600 td

[drumnut182]

Hi, any ideas with this one? Start the engine from cold and i have a hard break pedal for the next 10mins or so then it seems to kick in and the brakes work ok. Pumping the pedal and pushing it hard eems to make no differenc. Just need to know if anyone has had this before and what the prob was. Fluid level is ok, hand brake is ok and visually all seems ok. Thought maybe it's related to the oil pressure or engine temp or possibly a leak in the vacum servo thing thats above the oil filter..? Would it help to bleed the brake system? (i always thought brakes were spongy when air was in the system so i thought it probaly wasn't "air in the system").
She has been standing for quite a long time (a year) whilst new things were put on namely oil pump, new cylinder head, all new belts incl timing belt and lots of other bits and bobs but nothing relating to the braking system.
Any help or ideas would be appreciated.

Many thanks

ROB
1989 type 25 California 1600 TD

[Damien]

Servo's not working, do a search on vacuum hose problems, should find the answers.

[Mayor Goldie Wilson]

i had this problem with the servo pump - and the metal collar where the hose connects to the engine block where the little pump is (within the engine) was corroded and had split.
I seem to remember that you can buy relacement ones. But after receiving some advice here! i used some chemical metal to repair it, and brakes felt like new again.
Hope you get it fixed.

[lhd]

Carefully remove the pipe from the vacuum pump then put your thumb over the hole. If you feel it sucking your thumb strongly straight away then it's not the pump, if it sucks but not strongly its a worn pump, If there's no suck until about five minutes then it sucks strong you have the same problem as me.
Good luck I have had it for over two years now and still not found out what it is.If you do find out please pm me and let me know how you cured it.

Rob.

[drumnut182]

Thanks for the replies. I now have a turbo problem i have to sort out first now before i deal with the brakes but it sounds like you have hit the nail on the head. Ill let you know how i get on anyway.

Thanks again.
ROB