Scirocco Register

if it isn't one thing its another.......the brakes on my 91 Scala are simply not working when you get to the car after it having been laid up for awhile(overnight or around 8 hours whilst the other halfs at work) there is plenty of pressure in the pedal, it just feels like the servo isn't working but after a couple of presses the pedal is just the same but hey presto you have brakes...anyone?

If the pedal pressure were lacking, I'd say you had air in the system. It sounds like the brakes are 'pumping up', meaning that air in the line has to pressurise before you actually get any braking effort. You could maybe try bleeding the brakes to see if it makes a difference. If it does, you'll need to figure out where the air's coming in - check the flexi pipes and the joints for any signs of damage or porousness.

If the servo isn't working the pedal should be absolutely solid... The operation of the brakes isn't compromised, you just need to press the pedal harder.

cheers guys, I will bleed them and see if we get any air coming out.

stamp on the pedal a few times with the engine off to deplete the vacuum in the servo.

press the pedal as hard as you can and check it doesn't sink to the floor. if it does, you got a fluid leak somewhere. if there is no visible leak from the calipers, wheel cylinders or brake pipes, it could be the master cylinder leaking internally or leaking into the servo

keeping your foot hard on the pedal, start the engine. as the servo is evacuated the pedal should be felt to drop slightly. this should happen almost immeadeately on starting. if it doesn't, you've either got a vacuum leak (would probably also give rough running) or the 1 way valve in the vacuum pipe is deaded, or the servo is deaded.

cheers for that Nate, just as soon as i sort out the lack of spark I will give it a go................I don't believe it, the weld in the downpipe dropped out,Fixed. then the bakes started playing up and now the fekker comes home on an RAC dolley with no spark!! I don't know what she is doing with the Damn car but one more thing this month and its going.(the Car) (well actually now i think about it...It may be better allround if..)

sarah's just as bad with the polo. so far this month she's managed 2 punctures (both killed brand new tyres) and contents of the sump out of the dipstick tube

New Coil and at least we are running again.....Brakes tomorrow if it is not to cold.