Changed rear discs calipers and pads but not sure after doing a brake bleed wether things are just right .if you have foot on brake pedal with engine running pedal seems to sink too far prob at least 60% of the travel ,if driving brakes seem to operate normally ,a passing chap who has had VWs for donkeys years said Brake master cylinder its a common problem ,another mechanic said no its fairly normal for this to happen but brakes will be normal under driving conditions ,So i am a bit wary  went on brakes international to see price of new master cylinder and it states dealer only so went on another couple of internet suppliers and they say same although there appears to be a good few on ebay . Usual problem how can you be sure ordering off ebay to get correct fitment .

I seem to recall reading that the ABS block needs to be operated via VCDS or similar device when bleeding the brakes, was this done?

whats vcds

 

A device that plugs into the OBD port and can access, re-programme, or operate the various electronic modules on a vehicle.

You only need to ABS Bleed if you got air into the ABS unit. I did once by letting the brake fluid reservoir run dry, only realising when only air came out of the bleed nipple instead of fluid, and did indeed do the ABS Bleed Procedure using VCDS.

So unless you have a reason for why air has got into the ABS unit or you have fitted a replacement unit it won't be required.

You may find the pedal improves as the brakes bed in.

If after a while you still feel the pedal travel is too much then if normal bleeding does not help then there is no harm doing an ABS Bleed just to be sure.

Did you bleed using a pressure bleeder ? 

i didnt bleed my mechanic did he has been the absolute best for 30 years but is nearly 70 now so is slowing down a bit and everything seems a bit of a trial now ,he has a reader but a basic no name one i will tell him to get his pal who has all the latest snap on readers to assist him if indeed he let the reservoir run low - he did say they may well improve with a bit of use bedding in .Is anybody aware of why Brakes international -General Traffic - and Europarts dont list a master cylinder for this car.

On 15/11/2024 at 15:48, davidbird said:

mechanic said no its fairly normal for this to happen but brakes will be normal under driving conditions

 

The mechanic is correct. My car has been like this since it left the factory.

 

I suspect that now the brakes have been bled you have only just noticed this happening. When the car is in motion the brakes operate correctly but at a standstill there is extra travel if you apply more pressure to the pedal. As this is a thing you never normally do you have never noticed before. Take the car out on a quiet road and perform an emergency stop checking no one is behind you before hand. All should be well.

 

The other thing to check is with the engine stopped the pedal should be rock solid when pressed and no travel.

 

Kev.

Edited 16 November, 20241 yr by tetley
Added Text.

Thanks for the replies guys just need to get it insured and taxed now and get using it . still very wary as i heard a lot of scare stories about this particular engine ,wrong size piston rings - high oil use - timing chain stretching etc etc etc .Dont do a lot of miles these days prob 100 miles a week ,another thing i noticed yesterday was a dummy plastic cig lighter in car that i thought odd had a couple of spares in my other octavia so tried one in lighter socket and it wouldnt work ,mechanic said he had plugged his phone charger in and couldnt get it to work how do you clean the inside metal to create a better contact dont fancy poking around with abrasives .Got a spare lighter socket in the boot of my estate why didnt they put them in saloon . And is their another way of powering phone charger ,sat nav etc .

Has the fuse for the socket been checked? There are likely to be fuse diagrams posted on this site. 

not sure fuse has been checked i will have a bit of fun asking mechanic  but my estate is very awkward to get a contact you yhave to rotate and lift to get it to connect to power so that probably needs some abrasive to clean surfaces ,

 

13 hours ago, davidbird said:

Got a spare lighter socket in the boot of my estate why didnt they put them in saloon

 

To wind me up apparently. It's the one add on I desire the most. When new they cars did come with a plastic accessory lighter blanking plug in the socket unless the "Smokers Pack" add on was ordered as an upgrade.

 

Engine wise, there are a lot of scare stories. But also it's a desired good engine when looked after. Good quality engine oil is your friend (so I've read). I am going to upgrade the timing chain tensioner that is an issue on the second generation EA888 engines next spring. ~£30 for the part. I have already bought the timing chain tool kit.

 

Good luck with the MOT and report back please.

 

Kev.

 

 

Mot runs untill august 25

On 15/11/2024 at 16:48, davidbird said:

if you have foot on brake pedal with engine running pedal seems to sink too far prob at least 60% of the travel

 

Absolutely normal but will be exacerbated by new unbedded in friction material.

On 16/11/2024 at 16:44, tetley said:

The other thing to check is with the engine stopped the pedal should be rock solid when pressed and no travel.

That is true but even when I had air in ABS Unit this still occurs.

The difference is with air in the ABS, when keeping this firm high up pedal pressure then start the engine and the pedal drops a lot. A little drop on engine start is normal, maybe an inch or so, I'm talking about a big drop on engine start.

I did an ABS bleed and that big drop disappeared and the brakes immediately felt firmer while driving.

will have to try it over a few days  but mechanic drove it back to me and said brakes were normal as you would expect i am driving it for first time in the morning to work at 6am good job i noticed the flat tyre tonight while swapping some things from one boot to the other,on changing it in semi dark i noticed more rust than i would like brake backplate etc and in general dont think the standing idle for 5 yrs as done it any favours . Will have to address removing the rust and treating.