1984 242 Brake Problem and Engine Problem

Got into my 242 this evening and after driving a few miles, the brakes
stopped working as power brakes. I was able to stop the car but with
great effort. Only check was to see if fluid was OK in master cylinder
and it was.


Car also kept stalling when at idle even though engine was warmed up.
Both of these started this evening and I have had no problems prior.
Mileage is 183,000 and coincidentally, it was 114 degrees here in
Phoenix today and still 112 when this all started this evening.

I have not tuned this car up since I got it 42,000 miles ago as it has
been running fine and getting the appropriate gas mileage.

Any ideas??

Thanks,

Dave

Reply to list or direct to

 

Check the hose that goes into the brake booster. Follow it back to the
intake manifold.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

 

I also had a booster check valve fail (in Phoenix - may be a heat thing)
when the back of the valve cracked partway around the edge. Those valves are
shockingly pricey so I epoxied a coin in the recess!

Mike

 

Your problems are one and the same. You have a large vacuum leak in
the line between the brake booster and the intake manifold. This
usually occurs right at the manifold where the hose is split from the
engine rocking on the motor mounts (I'll bet dimes to donuts that your
passenger side one is soft from repeated exposure to oil from the oil
filter and age). Replace the hose and life should be good.
Oh, you didn't whether or not it was a turbo. On a turbo you might
have just blown the hose off and just need to clamp it.

Bill

 

Thank you very much for your information on the transmission and
steering rack questions Mike. IPD has Brake Booster Check Valves for
$14.50, part # CZ270596, fits 200/700/900 75-on, includes gasket.
1-800-444-6473 http://www.ipdusa.com . Quote from the IPD catalog:
"Broken or split valve can cause high-idle problems. Restore power
brake assist with this check valve."

 

Don't forget to check the hose, I had that split on my car.