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MG MGF Technical - Please help. MGR have broken my brakes !!!

Hi,

Please help !!!

I took my car in for it's second year service yesterday, (begrudgingly because it has only done 13.000 miles), and asked for the brake fluid changing as it was a recommended every two years.

The brakes on my MGF 1.8i, (no ABS), no longer work correctly. I have to use the sheer strength in my leg to break and the break peddle has hardly any movement.

Any ideas what they could have done. I had to take the day of work to have the car serviced as MGR garages are disappearing in my area and I don't fancy making the journey again - therefore, I'm very annoyed !!!

Cheers
Derren

sounds like the vacume hose has been disconnected from the servo,
The vacume hose connects between the brake servo and the inlet manifold, and the vacume caused by the engine taking in air is used to power the breaks- no hose, no power, breaks feel like they would if there was no servo.

Will
Will Munns

As Will says, almost certainly they have inadvertantly disconnected or ruptured the brake servo hose. Try and listen at the servo (bonnet RHS as you face the car) for any sounds of hissing with the engine running.
Paul
Paul Lane

You may also get lumpy idleing as the MEMS has no control of the amount of air entering the engine

Will
Will Munns

Difficult to understand HOW they might of damaged the vacuum hose though isn't it? I can't believe they handed your car back (1) in such a dangerous state and (2) without having first performed a test drive.

Name and shame!
Rob Bell

I would ring the garage who did your brakes and tell them to come and collect your car because the brakes do not work, and you feel that your safety is in danger if you drive any further! Throw it back at them. Mention involving trading standards etc. Demand a loan car until they've fixed it.

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

Quite probably the problem is where the servo pipe enbetrs the inlet manifold. This is a simple push in connection with a self sealing valve. This is visible by removing the rear 'cage' covering access into the engine bay from the open boot. To the left of the oil filler and roughly centre of the black plastic inlet manifold right in your line of sight is the point where the pipe should enter. Assuming that the engine has been subject to normal service items then it is quite feasible that hands will have been operating in this area. However pulling the pipe out is not something you do inadvertantly.

Rog
Roger Parker

My brakes also do this but only when the car has been left standing in the rain all day or damp ?? Sounds confusing i know but thats what i have limited it down to..

Nick
Nick Walters

Derren,it is normal practice for a road test after such work , surely this was carried out ??
Mike.
mike

This thread was discussed between 21/03/2002 and 23/03/2002

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