Hi folks.

Have just got a 52 reg Octy, 1.9tdi automatic, 90bhp one (ALH engine). First thing I noticed was that cambelt was 5 years old so had to do that in the first week, wish I'd noticed before agreeing the price! Anyway, I've noticed 2 things that could be linked, but am unsure so hopefully you guys will be able to offer some advice.

The brakes work fine usually, but if pressed more than twice in a couple of seconds, the pedal stiffens and it is very hard to brake, so I'm thinking either servo, vacuum hoses or vacuum pump. I could not get the hose out of the servo (should just pull out?). Within a couple of seconds it is fine again, working as it should for until brake pressed more than twice in quick succession. I undid the hose at the pump end and took first section out and the one way valve seems to be working.

The car seems to be crap at accelarating, really slow, and struggles on steep hills. Could this second issue link with the braking problem? Turbo affected by whatever's casusing brake problems?

Ahh, one problem just solved, halfway through writing this! I've just had another good look under the bonnet, and fornd one of the vacuum hoses was detached from the plastic Y piece, have just test driven and the brakes are fine again (and car seems less gutless). I'm wondering if the hose was left detatched after the cambelt was done (it's my partner's car so I don't drive it often).

There is still another hose that I found hanging loose; it comes from a T junction that also goes to the white valve that says 'vac out' or similar on it. I have attached this hose to a plastic clip that is attached to the vacuum pump hose, which has a male plastic part that swivels and fits into the 'loose' hose. Is this correct to attach this or should it be not attached to anything? It felt like there was a vacuum with engine running so assume it needs to atach to something! Any advise on this hose gratefully accepted! Thanks in advance

ok yes the loss of vacuum would make it gultess as it uses vacuum to actuate the turbo boost, no vac = no boost too well not much anyway.

not sure on the other pipework tho a pic of the offending item would help as there are lots of pipes and junctions

There is still another hose that I found hanging loose; it comes from a T junction that also goes to the white valve that says 'vac out' or similar on it. I have attached this hose to a plastic clip that is attached to the vacuum pump hose, which has a male plastic part that swivels and fits into the 'loose' hose. Is this correct to attach this or should it be not attached to anything? It felt like there was a vacuum with engine running so assume it needs to atach to something! Any advise on this hose gratefully accepted! Thanks in advance

I wonder if the EGR has been removed?

Does this pic help - it is from my 110TDI, some 90s have variable vane turbos the same as the 110, others are different

Other images can he found here: http://www.matthewames.co.uk/briskoda/index.php?loc=./20101021_egr_blank