Problem With Brakes - Help

[Wolfgang]

Need some advice people.

I have an issue with the brake pedal on my Golf going hard after the car has not been driven in a while, overnight is usually long enough. Once I start the car it goes back to normal and the brakes seem to wok fine but are a little spongy. The strange thing is there were no problems at all with the brakes before the car was parked for six weeks (in a garage) while I was on holiday. The car is an 08 model and has done 20 000km, surely the brake fluid would not need replacing?

Any advice is appreciated.

[Maverick]

Need some advice people.

I have an issue with the brake pedal on my Golf going hard after the car has not been driven in a while, overnight is usually long enough. Once I start the car it goes back to normal and the brakes seem to wok fine but are a little spongy. The strange thing is there were no problems at all with the brakes before the car was parked for six weeks (in a garage) while I was on holiday. The car is an 08 model and has done 20 000km, surely the brake fluid would not need replacing?

Any advice is appreciated.

When was the brake fluid last changed? It's supposed to be replaced every 2 years so if yours is a 2008 model it could be up to 4 years old already depending on the build date of the car. If you haven't changed it I'd book it in but it should have been performed at the 2 year/30,000km service.

[brad]

It sounds like the vacuum in the booster is leaking out overnight.

[Wolfgang]

When was the brake fluid last changed? It's supposed to be replaced every 2 years so if yours is a 2008 model it could be up to 4 years old already depending on the build date of the car. If you haven't changed it I'd book it in but it should have been performed at the 2 year/30,000km service.

Brake fluid has never been changed. Car was built June 08 (from memory) delivered early 09 and had it's 2nd year done by Camden GTI few months ago. I'm sure Loon knows what he is doing and would of mentioned it if it needed to be done. I think it be best I give him a ring regardless as brakes are something that need to be working properly.

What I find strange is that it was fine before it was parked, can it go that quickly?

It sounds like the vacuum in the booster is leaking out overnight.

Would not surprise me if something else has gone wrong.

[brad]

Would not surprise me if something else has gone wrong.

Something is probably wrong, no doubt. It maybe the vaccum hose, one of the connectors, a clamp or the one way valve. Maybe a rat has had a gnaw on something.

[Transporter]

Brake fluid has never been changed. Car was built June 08 (from memory) delivered early 09 and had it's 2nd year done by Camden GTI few months ago. I'm sure Loon knows what he is doing and would of mentioned it if it needed to be done. I think it be best I give him a ring regardless as brakes are something that need to be working properly.

What I find strange is that it was fine before it was parked, can it go that quickly?




Would not surprise me if something else has gone wrong.

As brad said it is probably leaking vacuum booster. Is the b/pedal OK when you drive or does it stay hard?
When everything is OK it usually takes 3 or more pushes on the b/pedal after you turn the engine OFF to use the vacuum in the b/booster, before the pedal is hard. If the b/pedal is hard after you turned engine OFF with the first push on the b/pedal the vacuum booster is most likely faulty.

Some brake fluids have 3 years service life and ususally are OK even long after that, when driven gently. Always change the brake fluid as per manufacturer specifications!

[Wolfgang]

As brad said it is probably leaking vacuum booster. Is the b/pedal OK when you drive or does it stay hard?
When everything is OK it usually takes 3 or more pushes on the b/pedal after you turn the engine OFF to use the vacuum in the b/booster, before the pedal is hard. If the b/pedal is hard after you turned engine OFF with the first push on the b/pedal the vacuum booster is most likely faulty.

Some brake fluids have 3 years service life and ususally are OK even long after that, when driven gently. Always change the brake fluid as per manufacturer specifications!

Pedal is fine when driving. Takes three pushes of the pedal until it is firm after the ignition is turned OFF.


I have a few other things that need to be sorted under warranty so I will add this to the list.

[Wolfgang]

Something is probably wrong, no doubt. It maybe the vaccum hose, one of the connectors, a clamp or the one way valve. Maybe a rat has had a gnaw on something.

The car was parked in a clean garage in a fairly new building complex where there are no known rat issues. Will have a look for any evidence though.