Poor brake performance on cold start (Std. VT II brakes)

[macca_779]

Oughta know by now we can't diagnose someones vehicle over the net Though Ops problem goes away when the vehicle warms up & IMHO is pointing towards booster or vac line problem. But as always look forward to Op's solution & changing his 3yr old fluid too!

Sure we can, we do it all the time lol. FWIW 3 year old fluid while not ideal, is not going to be the sole issue here. If the fluid were to contaminate that much in 3 years to notice an issue like this, there is something beyond normal hygroscopic properties causing the contamination that should be investigated beyond a simple fluid change.

[whitels1ss]

I had some supposed heavy duty high performance "Ferrodo" brand pads in a car of mine many years ago
the things were absolutely dangerous until they got some heat in them, car wouldn't stop, just a really heavy pedal.

When they warmed up they were fantastic though & never seemed to fade on me.

I couldn't live with them though, much too dangerous cold.

As for brake fluid, I must confess one of my cars has fluid at least 10 years old in it!

[Micks]

As for brake fluid, I must confess one of my cars has fluid at least 10 years old in it!

You better get bleeding then mate

[whitels1ss]

You better get bleeding then mate

All in good time.....

[IJ.]

All in good time.....

Can't rush these things

[duke5700]

Sounds like DS3000s... you wanted the 2500s

I had some supposed heavy duty high performance "Ferrodo" brand pads in a car of mine many years ago
the things were absolutely dangerous until they got some heat in them, car wouldn't stop, just a really heavy pedal.

When they warmed up they were fantastic though & never seemed to fade on me.

I couldn't live with them though, much too dangerous cold.

As for brake fluid, I must confess one of my cars has fluid at least 10 years old in it!

[jc_sv8]

My vote is for a faulty master cylinder.

Mine did the same thing, I'd be sitting at the lights and the peddle would slowly sink to the floor and would need a pump to get more pressure.
New master cylinder and good as new!

[IJ.]

My vote is for a faulty master cylinder.

Mine did the same thing, I'd be sitting at the lights and the peddle would slowly sink to the floor and would need a pump to get more pressure.
New master cylinder and good as new!

"Pedal height retention" really easy test to perform, give it a couple of pumps to exhaust the Booster then load and hold the pedal, if it slowly sinks to the floor it's Master time...

[VT_SS_II]

Update:
Fluid has been replaced and found that the RH rear caliper slide was seized. Will give it a week or two of cold starts to see if the fluid replacement has fixed the problem.

[Micks]

Update:
Fluid has been replaced and found that the RH rear caliper slide was seized. Will give it a week or two of cold starts to see if the fluid replacement has fixed the problem.

Good find but doubt that will give you softer pedal when cold as the caliper piston would be operational, rear brakes would be doing a mere 15% of your braking anyhow.

[VT_SS_II]

Good find but doubt that will give you softer pedal when cold as the caliper piston would be operational, rear brakes would be doing a mere 15% of your braking anyhow.

Yeah that's my thought too. I suspect the old fluid was the source of my problems.