Unless I'm imagining it, my car seems to have stronger engine braking.  If I'm slowing to some lights in gear, the deceleration is so noticeable that it almost feels as if I'm using the brake pedal.  I know my tracking is currently out which won't help (I'm waiting for delivery of new suspension), but if I push the clutch down, the amount of deceleration decreases quite a bit.

 

Now, I know what I'm talking about sounds like typical engine braking, but it seems like more than it should do.  Power does seems slightly down also, but it could be just me.  I have no error codes, but I am aware of a slight oil leak around the turbo/DV joint. I haven't been able to take it off to inspect but I suspect I may have a split diaphragm in the DV.

 

Has anyone had anything like this before?

Edited 4 October, 20169 yr by planehazza

No brake issues, hot discs or even alloys?

 

I guess you have checked this, but just checking.

 

Both my Octavia and A4 have good engine braking. One the diesel and the A4 has similar torque figures as similar sized diesel.

Edited 3 October, 20169 yr by Tilt

No brake issues, hot discs or even alloys?

 

I guess you have checked this, but just checking.

 

Both my Octavia and A4 have good engine braking. One the diesel and the A4 has similar torque figures as similar sized diesel.

 

Haven't checked.  What constitutes a hot brake? Obviously the discs are hot after use, so at what point are they too hot?  

 

My first thought was a binding handbrake piston but like I say, if I push the clutch down so I'm coasting it seems to be OK.

Haven't checked.  What constitutes a hot brake? Obviously the discs are hot after use, so at what point are they too hot?  

 

My first thought was a binding handbrake piston but like I say, if I push the clutch down so I'm coasting it seems to be OK.

Go for a drive.

Wash the wheels with warm water when you get back.

If steam comes off one or more wheels, then that brake is hot.

Spit on the disc after some driving and you will see if it is hotter than expected.

Both of the above depend on your driving style and how much / hard you brake.

 

Try, on a journey somewhere, using your brakes very minimally, to coast to a safe stop and then first check your alloys for heat, and if all cool / cold, carefully touch each disc. Or else all your brakes will be too hot to tell a difference.

 

It doesn't have to be that far as a dragging brake will generally warm up quite quickly.

 

Or jack them up one by one and turn the wheels. Numerous options with a little common sense.

From my experience you only touch a hot brake disc once ha.

I'd say a binding brake caliper is quite easy to detect from checking each wheel after a drive. Putting your hands near the wheels or feeling the spokes after a drive should indicate whether you have a problem pretty quickly as one will be much hotter.

Go for a drive.

Wash the wheels with warm water when you get back.

If steam comes off one or more wheels, then that brake is hot.

 

 

Both of the above depend on your driving style and how much / hard you brake.

 

Try, on a journey somewhere, using your brakes very minimally, to coast to a safe stop and then first check your alloys for heat, and if all cool / cold, carefully touch each disc. Or else all your brakes will be too hot to tell a difference.

 

It doesn't have to be that far as a dragging brake will generally warm up quite quickly.

 

Or jack them up one by one and turn the wheels. Numerous options with a little common sense.

True as far as it goes, but from experience a dragging calliper shows as being much hotter than its fellow using this test.

Have you had the car for long?

 

So knowing that your tracking is out and that will not help, how far is it out?

Is the suspension rather shot since you are waiting on new parts, lowered at present or scrubbing tyres or what is the issue?