Q: Brake booster heat questions again...

asked by on October 24, 2016

So I'm having issues with the brakes having a slight drag with heat. Master is a new German replacement. (Second time it's replaced to verify good) booster is new aftermarket. VW added a brake booster heat shield in years after mine and I'm wondering what a brake booster would do if it's getting hot from exhaust and turbo heat. It's not extremely close but my injectors are very worn so I suspect my egt is higher than normal due to overfueling. Pulling the pedal up (unnoticeable amount) causes them to release smooth as glass but it happens again soon. Any ideas would be great. It's all 4 brakes dragging, new soft lines all around, new calipers too. My car has 255000 miles.

My last answer from someone said that it could be caliper debris. When the car is cool the brakes work fine. Cold outside, fine. Brakes drag evenly on all 4 wheels, lifting the pedal releases it. Is there something in a booster that heat can make it slightly engage? Still cant find this out.

My car has 253000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

Brake System Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi and thanks for your question. The brake booster is vacuum operated and only aids in the stopping force to the driver’s foot pedal. If vacuum pressure drops, then the foot pedal feels very firm, just like stepping on the brakes with the engine off. If you are having to pick up on the pedal and the brakes are fully disengaging, then check the return spring on the brake pedal. It may need to be replaced because it is causing the brake pedal to slightly apply itself with the engine running. The other thing is the brake master cylinder could be defective and causing the pressures to be applied at all times. I recommend checking the return spring on the brake pedal and replacing it if necessary. If you need further assistance, a technician from Your Mechanic can come to your location to inspect and repair your brake issues.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I engage the childproof locks?
Your truck comes with childproof locks that aids in keeping children safe. When on, these locks keep the back doors from being opened on the inside. To engage the childproof locks. Locate the childproof locks next to each back door....
How do you open the trunk in a 2012 Honda Civic?
Opening and closing your trunk is probably one of the simplest things you’ll do in your car, but there are a few things that you should know about the process. You can open the trunk with either the trunk release...
Carburetor leaking gasoline
Hello! It sounds like the needle valve and float in the bottom of the carburetor may be stuck which is causing the carburetor to flood with gasoline. Usually a few knocks by the fuel inlet with a rubber hammer will...
Can I install a turbo on my truck?
The short answer is yes. You can install a turbo on your truck. You could install a turbo onto a lawnmower if you had the time, knowledge and money. But this isn't a simple, straightforward modification. You need to be...
Is it possible to install my broken serpentine belt back my car?
Hi, thanks for writing in. I'm a little confused by your question. If you're asking whether it's possible to install a broken serpentine belt (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-replace-a-serpentine-belt-by-mia-bevacqua) on a vehicle and drive 20 miles, I'd say not. If the belt is physically...
My car is rapidly burning oil
Hi. There could be a possible leak somewhere I don't want you to rule that out. It seems that some of the interal engine parts are worn out causing the engine to burn oil. The only way to fix this...
The ABS and traction control lights stay on the dashboard
Your car is equipped with wheel speed sensors (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/abs-speed-sensor-replacement) at each of the four wheels which monitor wheel speed while relaying this information to the ABS and traction control system, which are controlled by the car's ECU. When the ECU...
burning rubber smell and loud squealing noise but only when pushing the gas pedal?
Hi there. Assuming that you're not smoking your tires, this type of noise and smell is often associated with a worn out serpentine or drive belt, as the squealing noise is caused by the belt being loose and the smell...
Where is the camshaft on a 2003 Toyota Celica located
Hi there. It's very hard to articulate the location of the camshaft position sensor for this engine without illustrations which is something we can't post here, however, it's located on the right hand side of the engine (driver side) near...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Volkswagen Golf
The The 2012 Volkswagen Golf offers comfort and an elegant design for a variety of transportation needs. The Golf is a solid vehicle, good size, and great value, especially when it comes to comparing prices of similar vehicles. Key Features...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
The The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI is a great choice for any car enthusiast who needs a practical but fun car for everyday driving. The Jetta TDI (which stands for turbocharged direct injection) has a whole host of features to...
The Best Used Cars to Buy for First Time Car Owners
Owning Owning your very first car is an exciting time in a person’s life. Likely you want to put a lot of thought and research into the process to ensure you get something that meets your needs, is fun to...