Brake problems

[TurboTy]

my buddy has a 97 f250 powerstroke and he's having a problem with the brakes lately, when he first fires it up the brake light is on and pedal feels hard as a rock, no vaccum, my question is has any one had this problem? is the pump? i also noticed a valve of somesort on the drivers fender well that has the vaccum line from the booster goin to it, not sure if that is a check valve or not. Its not the booster, no leaks there, i figure its more up stream, any ideas?

 

[bbressler]

I'll bet it's his vacuum pump.

I just recently replaced mine, and the new one takes a few seconds (10) before the brakes build up enough vacuum to operate properly. My old pump would have it just as soon as it fired. In my situation, it's annoying, but not enough of a nuisance to worry about correcting it.

Not sure what the valve on the fenderwell is...but I've wondered the same thing before..

 

[Crumm]

Sounds like a vacuum pump getting weak to me.

 

[Zookie400]

definatly the vac pump. you will need a power steering pully remover/installer. i have a question to supplement this thread...

when i get in my truck the pedal is rock hard (no vac.), and instantly softens up once the engine starts. is this normal, or do i have a slow leak somewhere?

 

[Crumm]

Mine pedal is not hard until I hit the pedal a time or two. You may have a leak.

 

[97PowerSmokerIA]

same here once i pump once or twice it gets hard but not right away

 

[Zookie400]

finding the leak is close to impossible. i had a strong feeling i had a leak, because i have been through 2 pumps since i owned it
(i figured it was working overtime to keep up with the leak). i tried to find it once, but everything looked good, no slices, dryrot, chaffing holes, cracked plastic pieces, nothing.
any innovative ideas on finding P.I.T.A. vac leaks?

 

[TurboTy]

sweet, thanks guys, i'll pass it along, llooks like i'll be putting a pump in soon, lol...thanks again

 

[trackspeeder]

finding the leak is close to impossible. i had a strong feeling i had a leak, because i have been through 2 pumps since i owned it
(i figured it was working overtime to keep up with the leak). i tried to find it once, but everything looked good, no slices, dryrot, chaffing holes, cracked plastic pieces, nothing.
any innovative ideas on finding P.I.T.A. vac leaks?

I have an easy way to find those pesky little vac leaks. Replace the vac set up with a hydobooster.

 

[Zookie400]

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