Split vacuum pipe - vw tdi?

-Mike- · 2 Oct 2011 at 13:10

Hi guys,

I've just purchased my first ever VW after eight years of peugeots, fords, rovers and lastly a renault

I've noticed my brakes are somewhat spongey and require a lot of pressure to make them do anything so after reading around this forum today I went looking for vacuum leaks. The turbo seems a little hit and miss on boost and doesn't really seem to pull that hard after 2000rpm which I assumed was a flat torque curve but after looking around it should I believe have a little more uumph!?

I found this pipe split in the engine bay which I hope you can see? Would this split cause the problems I am experiencing? I can sometimes hear a slight hiss in the engine bay which presumably would be vacuum leak?

Any advice much appreciated

mjt · 2 Oct 2011 at 13:39

Yes. I had the same problem on my Leon PD 150.
In the 2 years I had it, I think I replaced just about every bit of pipework under the bonnet.

If you've just bought it, take it back to the dealer?
Unless you bought privately, ofc..

Stormster · 2 Oct 2011 at 13:39

Which BHP model do you have?

Thats quite a bad split, I'd get signed up to golfgtiforum.co.uk and go in the MK4 section, you'll get quick help and advice there

IAmATeaf · 2 Oct 2011 at 14:52

Can't help as I know **** all about engines but I can't even seem to spot the split that others are saying is bad?

-Mike- · 2 Oct 2011 at 15:47

mjt said:
Yes. I had the same problem on my Leon PD 150.
In the 2 years I had it, I think I replaced just about every bit of pipework under the bonnet.

If you've just bought it, take it back to the dealer?
Unless you bought privately, ofc..

Came from a second hand car place!

Stormster said:
Which BHP model do you have?

Thats quite a bad split, I'd get signed up to golfgtiforum.co.uk and go in the MK4 section, you'll get quick help and advice there

Its the 115 tdi sport mate

Stormster · 2 Oct 2011 at 16:07

It wont feel hugely quick really mate its still nigh on 1400kg of weight with 115 brake afterall

But I would definitely sign up to that forum for help and advice

-Mike- · 2 Oct 2011 at 16:11

Speed doesn't bother me

I'm just concerned that my braking performance is badly compromised by this split. Further to that - afaik the turbo vanes are affected by vaccum and as such a leak would mean it isn't doing the variable stuff like it should be!

mattyfez · 2 Oct 2011 at 17:55

A vac leak will certainly affect performance, replace the offending pipe and reassess the situation.

MatteH Oxford · 2 Oct 2011 at 17:59

That looks like the sort of pipe which would be the vac' pipe to the brake master cylinder. I wouldn't drive the car if possible as your servo assistance would be highly degraded if it is.

-Mike- · 2 Oct 2011 at 19:05

It just passed an MOT like that, I found the lack of brake performance the other day when I actually needed them. Brown trouser moment, I assumed they were pants as it had new discs and pads on the rear but looking at that pipe you are probably right!

Surely though, the brake test should have failed?

mattyfez · 2 Oct 2011 at 20:25

Mot just test the brakes for x amount braking force on the rollers, and the condition of the brake lines. An mot pass does not mean you brakes are operating as well as they should.

-Mike- · 2 Oct 2011 at 20:44

I just figured that given the amount of force required on the pedal to give a decent amount of braking may have highlighted an issue. I'm sure it wouldn't be capable of supplying the required force to the rollers unless you stood an elephant on the pedal.

-Mike- · 4 Oct 2011 at 17:23

mattyfez said:
Mot just test the brakes for x amount braking force on the rollers, and the condition of the brake lines. An mot pass does not mean you brakes are operating as well as they should.

Well I had the two bits of replacement pipe fitted today. The mechanic at my garage said there was no way that the car would have passed the brake efficiency test with that pipe in its current state.

The other end of the pipe was split to the point that the connector just falls out!

He's going to replace the rest of the vacuum pipes for me when I send it in for a service and cambelt.

I had the price reduced on account of the cambelt but their full service was literally Oil and a filter!

mattyfez · 5 Oct 2011 at 11:39

Good news then I guess! - shouldn't cost too much.

Do you have the printouts from the MOT? if so it may be worth a phone call to VOSA, its one thing turning a blind eye to something minor like a bulb, but to pass a car with poor brakes is pretty bad...

edit, nevermind, i see theres a seperate thread

-Mike- · 5 Oct 2011 at 11:45

I have the MOT failure sheet from first time around which is just cv boot. Second test is clean bill of health with no advisories! I don't have any brake roller print out, however.