stevea
Part of things
Posts: 281
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So I did my first long trip with this car last weekend and apart from using a little oil and water it performed without issue. One of the really nice things I've not had before is the cruise control, which made the lengthy motorway miles easier and detered my (at times) heavy right foot. Previously I'd feared that I'd have to hire a van to move one of my bikes, but it fitted easily in the back of this car.  Since getting back, the new header tank has been delivered. Although a pattern part it looks really similar to the Volvo version and I was glad to see that it even had the metal insert on the larger hose connection.  Since fitting, I've flushed the system with water, refilled with Holts flush and been out for a run with it. A more significant current concern is that the brake pedal has gone long, so taking a second pump to bring it up near the top again. Brake fluid has not gone down, so I'm fearing it's the master cylinder, the availability of which is not looking great. |
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stevea
Part of things
Posts: 281
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So as I'd left this the brakes wern't looking great and unfortunately they didn't get better by themselves either, so I did what I thought was the right thing and bought a new master cylinder, only to find it hardly changed anything. I did a basic bleed from the nipples on top of the master cylinder to find no change in the pedal feel, it still went all the way to the floor. I wasn't expecting perfect, instead perhaps spongy without going all the way to the floor. I realised that I must have thrown out my last brake bleed kit, a simple tube with a non-return on one end as the tube had gone hard, so bought a cheap (for a reason) hand powered vacuum bleeder.  It looked good enough, but was drawing in air where it was meant to be sealing on the brake bleed nipple. Fortunately the tube would fit on without the adaptors, so it wasn't completely worthless. With little else to loose, I set about flusing through and bleeding the whole brake system, just in case that helped. There are different thoughts on whether you start at front or the back when bleeding this car, but I decided to start at the back (furthest from the master cylinder) Once I had the wheel out of the way I could see that I had another problem, the bleed nipples were completely caked in rust. This was quickly wire brushed away and given a dose of penetrant, and although I did give them a little tweak with mole grips, I didn't fancy going any further until I had at least some replacement nipples.  The fronts however were in much better condition, so I have been able to bleed those and the brake pedal now no longer goes to the floor, the greatest imprvement coming when bleeding the replacement caliper, though it is still a little spongy. Looks like my next steps will be to price up bleed nipples and calipers and decide which way to go. Still a little annoyed that I may have spent out on a master cylinder when that possibly wasn't the real problem. |
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Still a little annoyed that I may have spent out on a master cylinder when that possibly wasn't the real problem. Don't be annoyed, just think of it as a future job already done! It's all good there now, so any further issues with the brakes, you can rule it out. Nice work, and good luck with your nipples.... Not said to another man, EVER! :-) |
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Last Edit: Apr 4, 2022 7:29:32 GMT by motardman
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misteralz
Posted a lot
I may drive a Volkswagen, but I'm scene tax exempt!
Posts: 2,495
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Nice work. My experience of those vacuum bleeders is much the same as yours, but you know what does work? A 5L garden sprayer and an old reservoir cap. Makes bleeding brakes and clutches a one person job.
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jamesd1972
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,921 
Club RR Member Number: 40
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1998 Volvo 940 - for salejamesd1972
@jamesd1972
Club Retro Rides Member 40
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Daft question perhaps but have you checked all the wheel bearings for movement ? A loose one can push pads back making pedal go long.
Ignore me if sucking eggs!
Hope you get it sorted.
James
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Really enjoyed reading your thread this evening. I remember seeing that for sale and was quite tempted, but it needed a bit too much work and I needed an estate asap.
You are doing the old Swede some good justice, and once all these bits are sorted, you will have yourself a tough, reliable old tank which will outlive most other cars on the road.
Looking forward to more updates.
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Last Edit: Apr 5, 2022 21:57:26 GMT by pSyCoSiS
Love for old BMWs, Mercedes, Jaguars and Swedish Slabs!
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By the way - that wet front carpets can be due to a leaking heater matrix. It is pretty common on this model and the fluid leaks into the front footwells.
Also check the sunroof seal (if it has one), as they can leak over time and the water ingress will ultimately end up in the front footwell. In addition, ensure the front drain holes are not clogged up with dirt and debris.
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Last Edit: Apr 5, 2022 21:57:10 GMT by pSyCoSiS
Love for old BMWs, Mercedes, Jaguars and Swedish Slabs!
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stevea
Part of things
Posts: 281
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I've been using this car (brakes were sorted with new nipples and bleeding) as my load lugger and holiday transport, but I've decided that it's time for a change. It's up for sale now though I'm happy to part-ex or swap for something a little smaller. The for sale add is here.  |
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