Re: Did the Bomb Test - FAILED

[Aleksander Mierzwa <alex@matrix.pl>]

At 09:06 22.10.98 EDT, Fourkguy@aol.com wrote:

>The education I have received from reading this list has mandated that I
>perform a test of my BOMB. After shutting the engine and applying my brake on
>many occurrences, I have come to the conclusion that I can expect 3-4
>depressions until the accumulator is empty. Thus_a_failure!?

With a new bomb and engine cold you may expect even 40 depressions. I've
noticed that when the engine is really hot, I only get about 15
depressions. I don't know if this is normal (nitrogen and fluid expanding
under temperature) or I have another problem. Nevertheless, 3-4 depressions
is not right and means your bomb is on it's last legs - though it still
holds _some_ pressure.

>I do not experience braking problems and would not have discovered this
>deficiency were it not for my good friends on the QLIST. My question, then is
>how much is the R/R gonna cost me and what improvements/ changes should I
look
>forward to after R/R.

Even with completely dead bomb, one usually can't sense any problems in
normal driving. It gets _much_ worse when you need to make a panic stop.
Phil Payne was right to point out that the demand put on the bomb is much
higher on cars equipped with ABS - I didn't realize it before, as my 5KT
doesn't have ABS. The new bomb costs ~$400 at the dealer and ~$250 at an
independent parts vendor. DO NOT buy a used one.

Aleksander Mierzwa
Warsaw, Poland
mailto:alex@matrix.pl
87 Audi 5000CS turbo (mine)
88 Renault Medallion wagon (mom's)
91 mountain bike (just in case both cars broke at the same time :-)