brakes and air lock

[hippy chick]

i have managed to mend the water pipe that was leaking and have just been away for the week in it, on the way my temp gauge shot off and stopped working i stopped to check the water when i took the cap off e/ tank the water just bubbled out, think i have a air lock so today i will follow the guid in wiki to try and stop that. the van run fine apart for that, but on the way back i got in traffic for about two miles then when i went to brake the peddle just whent soft panick pump and the peddle came back it did this twice more always after i had been in traffic.could this be the servo. its a 1985 caravelle 1915cc water cooled. jen

[Tug]

Hi,

Firstly Dont Drive your van. Its dangerous with Brakes like that

You need to have them bled or if you can do it yourself you will save money. Its all in the wiki on how to do it. It could be all manner of things really. When was the last time they were flushed flushed with new fluid ?

When was the last time to checked the fluid in the reservoir (Behind the speedo and fuel gauge pod).

You need to check the Servo pipe that runs from the engine right to the front..its usually a pale yellow colour and also check the non return valve. Check all flexi pipes on all 4 corners..ie one to each wheel on the front and one to each trailing arm on the back. Look for leaks,splits and heavy corrosion around the ferrel.

ABOVE ALL DONT TAKE CHANCES WITH BRAKES ! If you are unsure let some one who knows look at them !


As for the header tank bubbling. Im not too clued up on the wasser boxer lump. You need to ascertain if it is overheating and if it is why ?

If it were mine I would be flushing all pipes and the radiator and changing the thermostat for a new one. Also while I was at it I would be changing the sender unit too.

Glenn.

[hippy chick]

Thank you gleen
i did check the fluid before i went that was fine, but i have not changed it in three years, it has only just gone through the mot so i thought the brakes must be ok. the van has not moved in the past week lucky it did it on the way home . i will get under and look at all the pipes and did look quick when i got home but couldnt find any leaks. i will look at the ferrels to. i dont like touching brakes so it will be off to a garage but i would like some idea as to what it could be, thank you jen

[CovKid]

If its not been changed in three years, then fresh fluid and a bleed may sort it out. Brake fluid begins to absorb moisture after a time and becomes less efficient.

[dugcati]

I have also seen instances whereby the master cylinder lets fluid pass the piston - by pumping up the brakes you overcome the leak - a tell tale sign of this is fluid on the matts in the footwell -this eventually happens to the clutch also btw...