Intermittent brake failure Citroen c8

alden · Post by **alden** » 15 Oct 2009, 09:59

Hi all.When first using car in morning/school run etc,sometimes, first press of brakes is non exsistant.You have to press again.The system in fine for rest o time.The wife says this has happened b4, but it got me this morning.Quite alarming in traffic..

My thoughts are to bleed the system. Any other views welcome. THANX

HDI · Post by **HDI** » 15 Oct 2009, 10:55

Do C8's have hydraulic suspension like Xantia's etc ?

Post by **RichardW** » 15 Oct 2009, 12:39

Conventional suspension / brakes on C8.... When you say the brakes are not working - how so? Pedal is v hard, or pedal goes to the floor, or pedal feels normal, but no brakes?

1st is symptomatic of servo / vacuum failure; second of air in system, or failed handbrake adjusters; third is possibly fault with ABS system.

PS if this is a fairly modern car it might have EBD / Brake assist, in which case all bets are off, and it will need to have a discussion with a diagnostic computer.....

alden · Post by **alden** » 15 Oct 2009, 19:52

no it seems to b the first press of the day.Dosnt do it again until nxt morn.if you press the pedal normaly it happens then its just a case of jumping hard on it.I bled the system today/all four wheels.(its a gud job i had a syringe and pipe handy as the resevoir is right at back on top of engine).So ill see what the nxt couple of mornings bring and let you know how i got on.Thanks for the support.
P.S.its a 2007model year with 49k.

Sl4yer · Post by **Sl4yer** » 16 Oct 2009, 17:54

I'll bet it's a bit of rust building up on the discs overnight. I used to get it on a Leon I once had. Can be quite alarming / embarrassing when you're not expecting it. I would suggest an early brake test when you first pull away, like you would after exiting a car wash.

James

alden · Post by **alden** » 16 Oct 2009, 18:29

Thanks for that jim, however i got to thinking about it while she was in asda and i decieded to google recalls.it comes up for one on the software and also one for the vacum pump.It also comments about travel on the brake pedal.So its booked in for wed,so we'll see what happens and post trhe results.

wheeler · Post by **wheeler** » 16 Oct 2009, 19:51

If it turns out to be the servo the bad news is that on the RHD version it's an engine out job on the HDi C8 to replace it.

Does it still do it if you let the engine run for a few minutes first before setting off to build up a good vaccum ?

alden · Post by **alden** » 16 Oct 2009, 20:13

No it only happens in the first 5 min from cold.

alden · Post by **alden** » 22 Oct 2009, 11:07

Hi folks,
Had the car into citroen yesterday and for the recall, it seems to have cured it. They replaced the vacumn and spoke about a leaky valve ,which was causing the loss of pressure overnight.

It shows though how vunerable we are in the UK as this could have led to an accident etc.Manufacturers should be made to contact regestered keepers of cars subected to a recall,not just wait until a service etc.
This car was a finance snatchback and obviously if a person cant afford a car then he sure as hell wont be servicing it,I was just fortuate to google the recalls and establish a likely cause. I am still chasing the service history and have spoken to the previous owner WHO WAS AWARE OF THE BRAKE PROBLEM AND CHOSE TO IGNORE IT. The lesson here is when swaping your car check that it isnt subject to any outstanding recalls/or carry them out A.S.A.P.
Thanks for all your help and ideas lads.
Regards Alden

KP · Post by KP » 22 Oct 2009, 11:37

I was about to say this car should still be under warranty and i'd have it straight in for the work to be done.... any other niggles you've noticed with it at all??

alden · Post by **alden** » 22 Oct 2009, 18:55

No no other niggles exept the handbrakes a bit loose to the touch, (cant do out with it though!.)it is a decent full size 7 seater, and thats why we got it.My wifes a childminder and loves it,very convienient when carrying a child and you just use the eletric doors,no bending into the car either(they havent gone wrong yet though).truth be known though my c5 2.2 sx est was a better car(loved it)

even with 130k on clock, didnt have 7 seats so it had to go,

BernieLugg · Post by **BernieLugg** » 28 Apr 2011, 19:57

alden wrote:No no other niggles exept the handbrakes a bit loose to the touch, (cant do out with it though!.)

I thought that with mine, now then when the handbrake is on, pull it up very slightly ( in the slack bit you feel) then pull the button forward and let go the lever - watch it drop to the floor, but your handbrake is still on.

This is a design thing for the cars with the captains seats that turn around ( but wont turn round with the brake lever in the up position).

alden · Post by **alden** » 02 May 2011, 22:18

cheeerss bernie

French Car Forum

Intermittent brake failure Citroen c8

Intermittent brake failure Citroen c8

c8 brake

c8 brakes

c8 brakes

c8 brakes

c8 brake

Re: c8 brake