Bad Brakes

[monkgti]

well guys, i have a 01 passat tdi, and since i got it the the brakes are rubbish, they seem ok when driving at any speed and using them, but when driving around town or even reversing out of the drive the pedal is hard as if the engine were turned off. Im thinking it may be the vacume pump as if the car is idleing and i press the brakes its hard and goes down very slowly, but if i rev the car and press the brakes straight away the pedal goes down free as it should.. theres been new discs and pads and the system bled out, ive also checked the master cylinder for leakes or water as the bulkhead was holding water last year so i had to unblock the 2 bungs, but there doesnt seem to be any leaks and there is no water inside either..... is there anything else i should try as ive been told the vacume and diesel pump on these are the one and would be expensive to change??

[caldirun]

Could be a bad leak on the vacuum system, or a rusted brake master cylinder due to water submersion.

[martin1810]

The common reason for this is a water damaged servo. I would fit a new one after checking for any vacuum leaks first.

[monkgti]

thanks guys ill try that first then as it would be the cheapest option! Forgot to say that i checked for leaks in all hoses etc and found none

[tennentsfan]

Ive just had this issue with my passat changed the servo and cylinder because my brakes were sticking on . The servo i put on was spotless inside and im having the same issue as u are . I think i read somewhere that this could be vacume pump related ??? im having that much issues with my one just now this is the least of my problems lol

[smithy602179]

one thing about passats , you'll never have much free time to play lol . i own one myself . see if you can get it into ******** for 45quid check and go from there might be m/cylinder or abs unit