hey guys.

ColumBUS is stalling when i hit the anchors to stop. it is idling a little low, but i fear its a bigger problem. i put him in neutral today and pumped the brakes... stalled again. it happens more in the cold, but it will happen anytime. can anyone diagnose this problem? what parts do i get and maybe even a cost? this bus is going to valla, so a speedy response would be fantastic.

regards,
Daniel

hey daniel
check that the automatic chokes are working this is easy just start her up let her idle and pull the wires off each choke (one at a time) if it starts running shitty and usually stalls they are working but if nothing happens i would get some new ones (make sure u take ur old ones to the VW shop because they have different diameters etc!) othern then that check the brake vacumm elbows that go into the bottom of the manifolds these usually crack and leak causing shitty running and higher fuel comsumption!!
it sounds more like a vacumm problem but i had the same sorta problem and it turned out to be the chokes aswell as a loose connection in the brake vacumm system!
anyway let us know how u get along!
cheers
rhys

I had a similar problem, the brake booster (vac assist) hose had popped off and so i had a major air leak. But if its only happening under breaks might suggest a hole in a diaphram or something like that. What you can do to check it crawl under your bus, on the passenger side next to the g/box you will see a black tube, about 20mm diameter running thru the tinware. Take that off, fold a peice of gladwrap in half and put it over the hole and that will tell you if its something to do with the brake assesmbly. If there is something wrong with the brake booster the brake pedal will feel alot harder, and when you push you will get less braking power with the same effort as if the system was not faulty.

Brake booster has died. If it was a vacuum leak it would do it all the time. It only dies under brakes as that is when the booster hauls the vacuum from the engine, when they die they can get full of brake fluid.

The replacements require modding the mount for the different bolt pattern, an angle grinder and a die grinder are tools of choice, it is a right prick of a job as the sparks fly around under there with you. Micks sells the boosters. Rebuilding yours may be an option but I found the replacement was cheaper. You may have to replace all the vacuum line too as they perish and leak when disturbed- I reckon you are probably disturbed enough already though.....:P

If you are not real mechanical I would pay someone to do it as if you stuff it up your van wont stop.....

If you were in brissy I could help....

kkk