URGENT HELP NEEDED - Brake problem at Dover port!

[NomadAd]

Hi, I've just arrived at Dover ready to board my ferry for a 3 week trip and my brakes have just started to play up - they are hard to push with very little happening. Not soft at all. Any ideas? I'm stressed as about to board ferry!

[NomadAd]

It's a 1.6D syncro if that helps - looks like I'll be calling ADADAC Ffrom Calais.

[tandemsandy]

perished vacuum hose from the engine to brake servo?

[Ralf85]

perished vacuum hose from the engine to brake servo?

That seems like the most likely problem.

[NomadAd]

Thanks guys. We've had to stop the night in hotel, will get ADAC out this morning. Hope it's an easy fix.

[danmetallic]

Good luck!

[waltraud]

Get it fixed?

[Ralf85]

Get it fixed?

Unlikely as it's Sunday. Hopefully tomorrow when garages will be open.

[NomadAd]

Not fixed yet, we are taking it to the garage today. I can drive it but the brakes are really bad, so not safe to drive on motorways.
We're having a nightmare as, yesterday the we took it for a short drive and noticed the syncro control panel wasn't lighting up, the van is fitted with a De-coupler, I think the van is in 4wd but the pull switches don't do anything now, not even activate the diffs locks. Not essential I know, but still more gremlins to worry about.

[ninja.turtle007]

Not sure which way round the decoupler works but I'm guessing if the decoupler isn't engaging/disengaging that would also suggest a vacuum leak.

[Ralf85]

Not fixed yet, we are taking it to the garage today. I can drive it but the brakes are really bad, so not safe to drive on motorways.
We're having a nightmare as, yesterday the we took it for a short drive and noticed the syncro control panel wasn't lighting up, the van is fitted with a De-coupler, I think the van is in 4wd but the pull switches don't do anything now, not even activate the diffs locks. Not essential I know, but still more gremlins to worry about.

How are things going?

[clift_d]

Not sure which way round the decoupler works but I'm guessing if the decoupler isn't engaging/disengaging that would also suggest a vacuum leak.

Our decoupler is disengaged by default i.e. you pull out the switch to get 4WD.

[NomadAd]

Back in the UK now - we left the camper in Calais while we used a hire car to travel round Italy and France.
Drove the camper back on the ferry on our return (still with dodgy brakes)
ADAC sent the AA out to us in Dover.
The problem was the vacuum pump noozle had snapped off where the vacuum hose attaches.
ADAC paid €500 towards our hire car and 2 nights in a hotel - we had friends to stay with in Italy - so not a complete disaster!

[waltraud]

I'm pleased it resolved ok and not too serious a fix left to sort out. The big question is whether you enjoyed/relaxed more with the hire car