Club 80-90 Forums

Hi folks - are we allowed to talk about our Scirocco on here

I usually answer questions on here, but here I am asking one.

Car (MKII GT11 on std carb) has been stood sorned for 8 months.
Spent a week getting it ready for MOT.
All seemed well.

However on setting off to leave it at the MOT garage ( Central VW in Ellesmere Port = Nice folks - http://www.centralvwaudi.com )

Symptoms =
Odd peddle feel, hard to explain, not soggy, not hard, not sinking, just a bit "wooden" feeling, like no feedback.
I had already topped brake fluid up as it was a bit low.

Noted that after a heavy braking test, a strong puff of blue smoke from the exhaust.
The engine is not suspect as does not smoke at all under any conditions, even fast over-run etc, but only after heavy application of the brakes. Just as I got to the MOT garage the low brake fluid light began to flicker, had a quick look under the bonnet and sure enough it was low (No sign on any leaks)

I think it is brake fluid getting sucked through the servos vacuum hose, into the inlet manifold ? (due to a faulty servo)

Would those "in the know" agree ?

hi, 1.8i scala owner..


rocco brakes are not entirely the best VW ever put on a vehicle, they use a system of rods and levers instead of moving the the braking system over for RHD.
After 8 months, I would suggest the drums and discs are quite rusty and the liming needs bedding in again.. and therefore would transmit a different feel to the pedal
take look at the drums and see if there's any fluids on the wheel (inside)

Hi Kev, thanks for the reply

Know what you mean about those cross over rods, a bit weird they are.

Scali injection

I have been on the Scirocco register forum and it seems the master cylinder can leak fluid into the servo and then via the vacuum pipe, into the engine. This would explain the lack of any visible brake fluid leaks.

So, looks like a set of seals or even a new master cylinder is on the cards !
Not as bad (or expensive) as a servo replacement, so not too bad.

Certainly sounds like the master cylinder as described.....I hope for your sake that the brake fluid hasn't damaged the diaphram in the servo. Unfortunately brake fluid can make the neoprene? diaphram go soft and puncture.

Martin