Brakes

Vacuum leak in the brake booster.

Have it replaced.

If you are really an ex mechanic, you would know how pitifully inadequate your question is.

Take it to a real mechanic.

Better yet, have it towed to a real mechanic.

Diesels don't have brakes?

Since you admit that you don't know anything about braking systems, why would you even ask? There are safety implications here that a real mechanic would recognize.

Like I said, have it towed to a shop and and have it fixed by someone who is, " sure about car braking systems".

They have air brakes not hydraulic

A mechanics a mechanic no matter what area or field he works in. Most of the enjoyment of the job is to figure the puzzle out. So if you were a true mechanic you would have sought out the knowledge to do so. Not asked strangers on a web site that may lead you to death or injury. What Lyn un-tactfully tried to imply is seek out someone that you can trust to give the right information. Like a mechanic that does work on brakes in you area. I am a mechanic by trade and it could be any one of the devices you mention or something else. With out the car in front of us it very hard to make a diagnoses.

Would you seek out medical care for youself or a love one off the internet. I hope not!

So why would you put yourself or those loved ones in a car that the advice to repair it came from some forum. Anyone can lead you down the wrong path.

A mechanics a mechanic no matter what area or field he works in.

Weil said, I believe what we're looking at here is a common condition of our times. There is a major difference between a mechanic and a technician. Technicians are trained, mechanic ability can be cultivated but there must be something there to grow.

Mechanics inexorably possess the ability, for lack of a better term, to apply cross platform knowledge. Mechanical problem solving is fundamentally enjoyable for a real mechanic, particularly when it involves dealing with something that you previously have little or no experience with.

Several years ago I went through about 6 HVAC service trainees. Of that lot 4 were completely useless; one was motivated and could've eventually been trained as a technician, it would have probably required two years to get him to the point where he could confidently be sent out on his own.

One nineteen year old possessed remarkable mechanical ability.Had he not had other problems, drugs probably being the most prominent one, he would have been on his own in a matter of months. I'm confident that with fundamental training and a cell phone that person could have handled most problems.

it would have probably required two years to get him to the point where he could confidently be sent out on his own.

I remember when I was hired many years ago. The supervisor was making a comment on another employee. "After two years here, he is now smart enough to go to a training seminar without embarrassing us."

Sounds like the same problem.

Sad fact, you either have mechanical aptitude or you don't. It cannot be learned.

The car is not supposed to stop the brake booster (malfunction) or a vacuum leak by itself, mechanic intervention is required.

(could not resist)

The method you should follow is to start at the customer end of the brake system and tick of every thing that is working.

For example start with the bake pedal mechanical links and work towards the pads step by step.

If you cannot tick an item adjust / repair / replace

you will have the car braking (or breaking) in two ticks.

If there is trash and/or water in the system the brake equalizer valve may have frozen up/become clogged. Other possibilities are: a crimped line, frozen wheel cylinders/calipers, maladjusted shoe adjuster, brake pads/shoes that have been contaminated with brake fluid from leaking wheel cylinders/calipers.

Power Brake systems are designed to operate (but with increased pedal force required) even when the booster has failed as a failsafe. Power steering systems also will operate (but without any power assistance) if the hydraulic system fails for the same reasons.

Some one forgot to remove the Club. Or, there is a brick under the pedal.Or the pivot has rusted. Or Lyn put motor oil in the master, months ago. Or there is water contamination of the brake fluid, and the piston has corroded to the cylinder wall. Get the picture, there are many things that could cause the results you have. Look closely, and you will be able to eliminate many of them.

Automotive brake systems have power assisted hydraulic brake systems. ( except some Rolls Royce brake systems) The vacuum booster is used to help push the pedal down, relative to how hard you push the pedal. Air brakes on a heavy truck have no breaking action if there is no air pressure. That is why there is spring apply parking, or emergency brakes.

replace the vacuum lines along with the booster grommet. ckeck for vacuum leaks. i use an unlit propane torch. if you have a leak, the engine will speed up.

don't bother commenting guys. i've aready heard all the preaching.

could be a bad diaphram in the booster.