Mk III TDI

[yowie]

Thanks, Yes, I thought the same. Its a school thing, might get a parent with 4x4 next time.
It wasnt a tow, just a club boat needing a 30m launch.
I will get the bearings done and wash that valve and spray fish oil.
Including up behind and under the bumper.
I pulled the spare wheel and that looks fine in there.

[yowie]

So the car failed to stop yesterday after fifteen minute drive, the last at 90kph.
I wasn't driving, but apparently the pedal went floorwards on the off ramp. Luckily they found a gap and could use the handbrake. I came by an hour later. No fluid anywhere, level good for brakes. Rear wheels reported as hotter than usual. Drove home no worries.
I am now wondering if I didn't clean the brake proportioning valve properly after its dunking... taking it to the shop.

[gldgti]

could be leaking seals in the master cylinder, or even something like warped disks causing the pistons to retract a long way into the cylinders (taking a couple of pumps to come out properly??)

[yowie]

Pulling the rear wheels and brakes, there are grooves matching the pads suggesting the rear drums are well-worn, but otherwise it all looks OK. No pedal or wheel vibration on braking to suggest disc warp.
The P-plater was driving, so could have been anything, he's averse to using the engine to slow down and may or may not have left the handbrake slightly on, and there were four large adults on board.
Thanks for the thought, appreciate it. Will let you know what I get

[yowie]

I am recording this to save others' pain.
Seems the brake master cylinder is on its way out in the MK3III TDI.
And that there are two sorts fitted to at least the TDI, with either 2 or 4 inlets holes, and different bore sizes, 20 or 22mm.
You are in luck if yours is the four port brake master cylinder as they are more common and around 40% of the cost of the two port ones.
Tooleys had both, most places have only the cheaper 4 port one.
Happy motoring

[yowie]

OK, so now I am saving myself pain I hope. The above-mentioned brake master cylinders are causing problems. The garage mechanic had me send back the correct one because it has four ports. When i contacted Tooley Imports I was sent a two-port one. This it turns out is totally wrong in length and location of the brake line ports.

Tooley now says that the first one was the correct M/C for the TDI. It just needs a couple of grub screws to blank off the unneeded ports which they supply at $14 each. The mechanic says he wont do that as blanking off is unsafe and prone to failure, and suggests I go for a re-sleeve of the original.
Cost is ball-park the same.
Any views would be much appreciated.- I feel a bit caught as I have read a re-sleeve may not last as long as a replacement.
Yowie

[Gigitt]

Speak to Brian at GTI Imports in Galston NSW
02 9653 1114

From what I have been told is the TDI has a 22mm master cylinder and you can upgrade it to a 24mm master cylinder from an early VR6 ( I could be wrong on size). This was a suggestion after upgrading from rear drums to rear disc. I did not go down this path.

[gldgti]

Just give tooleys the VW part number of the old one! That should get you out of trouble.

Nothing wrong with blanking the unused ports really either - its only as unreliable as any other connection in the braking system - and there are lots of those.

[yowie]

Thanks, have discussed with local mechanic and we will do exactly that!
Cheers.

[yowie]

Have lurked but not posted for a while.
Daily driving the TDI 01M auto.
OK so Christmas brought a gearbox issue. Hot day, sudden loss of drive, lots of what looks like ATF underneath.
No dipstick and I'm not kitted up, so had it towed today, awaiting a diagnosis.

And i would love a manual box.

Already had a box rebuild 80k ago, so this is unexpected.

And I have a new job 1300km away. At least it didn't happen en route