Brake Booster

["Al Powell" <APOWELL@agcom.tamu.edu>]

Just a random thought brought on by brake discussions recently - We 
developed a problem which didn't trigger any warnings but could have 
been serious in out 1990 200T.

When we started the car in the AM and backed out of the garage, pedal 
effort was VERY high and it was tough to stop the car the first time 
(usually just stopped in driveway to shut garage door.  This bothered 
me - it felt like the power assist wasn't coming on properly.  But 
after 30 sec or so, it was no problem.

After a couple of weeks, I had it checked - power brake booster was 
leaking, and we were six days from a 1500 mile trip.  The cost was 
about $700 to have it replaced...no options with limited time before 
trip.  OUCH!!  But it was worth it to have a safe trip with the whole 
family in the car.

NO warning lights were ever displayed - don't believe they use one to 
monitor vacuum conditions.

Thought I'd mention this in case anyone had a similar symptom.  
Thanks to this list (which I joined about two weeks later) I now know 
where I could have bought the part for under $300.  Whee.



********** A Washington State Cougar in Aggieland (aTm) **********

Al Powell                           Voice:  409/845-2807
Ag Communications                   Fax:    409/862-1202
Texas A&M University                Email:  a-powell1@tamu.edu 
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My computer has no bugs, just "special features".

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