No brakes! (2008 308 1.6hdi)

[Auldalliance]

Still trying to get my old 308 back on the road. Have already fixed an injector, replaced the starter, swapped out a strut, and now it's got no brakes. I feel invested at this point so I'm going to persevere

With the engine off, brake feels firm. With engine on, it sinks to the floor and the brakes have very little effect. I can pump the pedal a few times and it'll go firm, but then it just sinks again.

I haven't noticed any loss of fluid in the reservoir.

If it matters, the car sat chocked up since April, outside in a fairly damp environment.

I was thinking it might need a new master cylinder? A mate had suggested it could be a vacuum hose.

Any other suggestions?

[Paul-R]

My first suggestion would be to bleed the brakes. You'll need Diaggox, or some other high-end diagnostic machine, to do this properly as there will be a guided process to follow.

[Auldalliance]

Oh... I've brakes on other cars and no electrickery was involved. Just freeing off nipples on the calipers and pumping the pedal. Will this not work on the 308?

[Sloppysod]

Oh... I've brakes on other cars and no electrickery was involved. Just freeing off nipples on the calipers and pumping the pedal. Will this not work on the 308?

Due to the age of your car, doing it without the "Electrickery" is possible, as I've it done myself, (on a 2011 car), but I did use a pressure bleeder and I only replaced the fluid, and I didn't have air in the system. I think a vacuum bleed tool would be just as effective, I suspect basic pedal up/down would not be 100% efficient.

I think the "Electrickery" bit takes the ABS pump into consideration and activates it as and when needed to remove all the air, probably a must if filling the system from dry.

[ekjdm14]

I'd try bleeding first because it's the easiest option (and you'll need the bleed nipples freed off for any further work required anyway). It does sound like a master cylinder issue to me, the pump up/sink routine and no fluid loss, but bleeding is worth a go.

[Auldalliance]

Well, sadly I think it might be the end of the road for this car. I had an experienced mate round to have a look and he pointed out that the sills have gone pretty soft at the rear end. Obviously everything can be fixed but he says it would be quite tricky, and coupled with all of the other problems, I think it's probably time to say goodbye. What a shame. I liked that car, but the economics don't stack up.