Help brakes fail!

[Niander]

Went for a long drive yesterday and coming back home the brake pedel just went down to the floor with minimal braking!!!
i slowed right down and found that if i pumped it braking returned but then it would need pumping every time..i crawled home slowly down the back road
after a stop of 30 mins it seems to have got better...back to normal..scary
what is it?
btw brake fluid level is on the top mark still

[Niander]

84 T3
1.9 1Y diesel inside

[BOXY]

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... s#p7640690" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Niander]

I think the brakes overheated but ive spun every wheel and they are free
but there were a lot of hills!
although i do use engine braking also
think that's what happened...probs fluid needs changing

[..lee..]

Check there's no excessive play in the bearings too.

[Niander]

Did do they are ok no excessive play

[Red Westie]

When was the last time you replaced your brake fluid? it should be changed every two years to avoid 'vapour lock' brake fluid boiling due to excessive water contamination.
Brake fluid has a very undesirable property...it is HYGROSCOPIC....which means that it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere....3.7% water contamination in brake fluid lowers it's boiling point by 75 degrees C.

DOT 4

230 °C (446 °F) Dry boiling point (without any water contamination)

155 °C (311 °F) wet boiling point (defined as 3.7% water by volume)

Now you start to realize just how important those changes are.

Martin