Soft brakes on a C30

Stokey69 · Mar 11th, 2016, 18:27

Has anybody had an issue with a soft/ spongy brake pedal on a C30..???
2009 1.6D

Mine has gone soft, and if you keep your foot on it, it slowly goes down to the floor. (with the engine running)
If you turn the engine off, the pedal is solid. Also had the brakes professionally bled as well

I have replaced the Vacuum pipe, but this hasn't changed anything.

Just wondering if other people have had similar issues, and how they rectified it. As I believe its a vacuum issue.
Any help would be appreciated.

cheshired5 · Mar 11th, 2016, 18:58

Was the professional bleeding done before or after the problem started?

Stokey69 · Mar 11th, 2016, 19:12

The bleeding was done after the problem started, I had this done to make sure there was no air in the system.

cheshired5 · Mar 11th, 2016, 19:36

What was the mechanic's opinion on the problem when bleeding didn't work?
Just wondering what else has been tried or eliminated so far.....

Stokey69 · Mar 11th, 2016, 20:35

After bleeding, when the engine is switched off the pedal goes solid, and it doesn't pump up, so there is no air in the system. Plus there was no air coming out after bleeding the system.

When you start the engine, the pedal starts to creep down while your foot is on it, and when you brake the pedal feels very spongy, and will creep down slowly, if you keep your foot on the brakes.

So the mechanic and myself believe that the issue is in the vacuum side somewhere.
I replaced the vacuum pipe because it has two one way valves in it that have diaphragms in them.
Or, am I barking up the wrong tree???

cheshired5 · Mar 11th, 2016, 21:17

Taken from this thread http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=243613

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheshired5

With engine off, pump your brake pedal until it is solid.
Keep your foot on the brake pedal and start the engine.
Your foot and pedal should start to sink.
If it does sink, your vacuum pump is almost certainly fine.

DON'T LET THE PEDAL GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Let us know if you can even get a solid pedal with the engine OFF and if the above test works when you start the engine.

Gregj · Aug 4th, 2020, 16:36

Hi I'm having exactly the same problem on my C30. Litterally overnight the brake pedal has suddenly started going to the floor when you first press it, then recovers half the distance back up on the second pump.

The original post above is exactly the same fault but I can't see that Stokey has posted what finally fixed it

Greg

Mar 11th, 2016, 18:27	#1
Stokey69 New Member Last Online: Sep 15th, 2016 16:02 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: CREWE	Soft brakes on a C30 Has anybody had an issue with a soft/ spongy brake pedal on a C30..??? 2009 1.6D Mine has gone soft, and if you keep your foot on it, it slowly goes down to the floor. (with the engine running) If you turn the engine off, the pedal is solid. Also had the brakes professionally bled as well I have replaced the Vacuum pipe, but this hasn't changed anything. Just wondering if other people have had similar issues, and how they rectified it. As I believe its a vacuum issue. Any help would be appreciated.

Mar 11th, 2016, 18:58	#2
cheshired5 Premier Member Last Online: Dec 26th, 2021 13:42 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Crewe	Was the professional bleeding done before or after the problem started? __________________ 2002 S60 SE D5 Manual 209000 miles

Mar 11th, 2016, 19:36	#4
cheshired5 Premier Member Last Online: Dec 26th, 2021 13:42 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Crewe	What was the mechanic's opinion on the problem when bleeding didn't work? Just wondering what else has been tried or eliminated so far..... __________________ 2002 S60 SE D5 Manual 209000 miles

Mar 11th, 2016, 19:12	#3
Stokey69 New Member Last Online: Sep 15th, 2016 16:02 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: CREWE	The bleeding was done after the problem started, I had this done to make sure there was no air in the system.

Mar 11th, 2016, 20:35	#5
Stokey69 New Member Last Online: Sep 15th, 2016 16:02 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: CREWE	After bleeding, when the engine is switched off the pedal goes solid, and it doesn't pump up, so there is no air in the system. Plus there was no air coming out after bleeding the system. When you start the engine, the pedal starts to creep down while your foot is on it, and when you brake the pedal feels very spongy, and will creep down slowly, if you keep your foot on the brakes. So the mechanic and myself believe that the issue is in the vacuum side somewhere. I replaced the vacuum pipe because it has two one way valves in it that have diaphragms in them. Or, am I barking up the wrong tree???

Aug 4th, 2020, 16:36	#7
Gregj New Member Last Online: Jan 15th, 2021 09:11 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Warminster	Hi I'm having exactly the same problem on my C30. Litterally overnight the brake pedal has suddenly started going to the floor when you first press it, then recovers half the distance back up on the second pump. The original post above is exactly the same fault but I can't see that Stokey has posted what finally fixed it Greg

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