Strange VSA...

[Blue2]

Morning All,
I know this VSA has been covered a thousand times, but a strange thing happened to my almost 180k miler 05 iCTDi...
VSA & Brake Warning lights came on about 2months ago..no traction control, but ABS still working ok. Right,
said I, control unit has to come out and go to BBA.
Anyway didn't get time to do it, but as usual over Christmas when everywhere is shut until New Year, the brakes completly failed.
What happened was, over the course of a day I could feel the 'BITE' going out of them and the pedal travel getting longer until it finally went to the floor and no brakes.
When I checked, the Brake Fluid resevoir was empty and there was a strong smell of B fluid but no leaks or trace of a leak.
Filled up the resevoir again, pedal came back and lights went out on dash.
Traction control working, VSA working, (tried it on an icy road lastnight).
Going to bleed the brakes tomorrow and fit new pads all round and give it a thorough check over.
Also, when I checked the ECU for codes at the start of this, there was only codes relating to when I removed the inlet mani for cleaning last year (sensors being unplugged).
Still have no idea where the Brake Fluid disappeared to.

 

[Stevearcade]

That is odd. Make sure you have a very thorough check over the whole system. It's got to have escaped from somewhere.

 

[jayok]

Are the rubber lines between the steel lines and calipers perished?? Could the pressure of braking forces the fluid out here? Is the brake master cylinder failing? If the master brake pedal hit the floor you've lost pressure and the fact you could smelll brake fluid tells me it hit something hot. So either an exhaust (the MC is just above it) or hot caliper.

 

[Blue2]

Brake fluid leaked out from rear caliper.
The piston came out past the seal even though the pads weren't worn down to the limit.
Wound the piston back in, fitted new pads and it's good as..
Now to replace the clutch and flywheel.
800 Euro for LUK flywheel & clutch kit... Here's hoping she holds together until next Wednesday morning.....

 

[jayok]

Well at least you've an answer!

How much for the labour of the clutch and flywheel?

 

[Blue2]

Between 4 & 5 hundred Euro. Buddy of mine runs his own garage and he's getting a loan of "The Tool" from Honda dealer.
Replacing the belt aswell whilst I'm at it.
Only thing left to fail is the T-Chain..................

 

[Blue2]

Car back on the road with new flywheel and clutch. Got a loan ot the clutch fitting tool from Honda dealer.
The mechanic told me he had "no idea" how it worked.. ?? :huh:
Anyway, flywheel was banjaxed,but the clutch itself was still good..not bad for the high mileage that's on it..this is the first time the g/box has been out.
Clutch pedal feels lighter now and car running much smoother... Good for at least another 100k.....
Replaced the drive belt aswell...pain.