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alexander_feuer82

Spongy VW Brake Pedal Signals Major Safety Issue

My brake pedal feels spongy and inconsistent in my 2005 VW Touran 1.6. When pressing the brake pedal, theres a slight pulsing sensation and it sometimes requires more pressure than usual to stop. I checked and noticed the brake fluid level is slightly below minimum. Before taking it to a shop, I want to understand if this points to a bigger issue with the brake system. Has anyone experienced similar symptoms? Particularly interested in whether this was fixed by just topping up fluid or if it revealed problems with the master cylinder or hydraulic brakes. What should I look out for when getting this repaired?

Summary of the thread

The conversation centers around a spongy and inconsistent brake pedal in a 2005 VW Touran, with symptoms including a pulsing sensation and increased pressure needed to stop. The brake fluid level is slightly below minimum, suggesting potential issues with the brake system. Possible causes include worn brake components, leaking brake lines, or a failing master cylinder. Suggested solutions involve a thorough inspection of the brake lines and master cylinder, addressing any leaks, and performing a brake fluid flush to remove air from the system.

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4 comment(s)

lennyfox2

I had a similar issue with my 2007 VW Golf 1.6, and having some experience working on cars, I can share what happened. The symptoms you describe, spongy brake pedal, pulsing, and low brake fluid, strongly suggest worn brake components. In my case, a brake inspection revealed worn brake pads and scored rotors that needed replacement. The low fluid level was actually a warning sign of brake pad wear. The repair cost me 480€, which included: New brake pads, Resurfacing rotors, Brake fluid flush, Full brake system inspection Importantly, the mechanic found small leaks in the brake lines which were causing the fluid loss. This could be dangerous if left unchecked, as it affects the hydraulic brakes performance. Before suggesting more specific solutions, could you share: Current mileage on your Touran? When was your last brake service? Do you notice any fluid spots where you park? Does the brake warning light come on? These details would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced and whether you might be facing similar brake system problems.

alexander_feuer82 (community.author)

Thanks for the detailed information. My Touran has 11180km and just had its annual service last month. No fluid spots under the car and no warning lights. Your experience sounds very similar to my symptoms. After reading about the brake lines issue you mentioned, I checked underneath and noticed some dark staining near the rear wheel area. This could explain the spongy brake pedal and fluid loss. The master cylinder in these VWs can also cause similar symptoms when failing. Did your mechanic check that component during the repair?

lennyfox2

Yes, during my Golf repair, the mechanic performed a complete brake system inspection including the master cylinder. While my brake lines were the primary issue, they also detected minor wear in the master cylinder seals, though not enough to require replacement at that time. The dark staining you noticed near the rear wheel is concerning. In my case, similar staining was the first visual indicator of brake line corrosion. Given your Touran has similar brake system design to my Golf, its worth having those brake lines thoroughly checked. The spongy brake pedal combined with fluid loss often indicates air in the brake lines, which can happen when there are small leaks. Even though your annual service was recent, brake line deterioration can progress quickly, especially if moisture gets trapped against the lines. My repair started with addressing the brake lines and performing a complete brake fluid flush to remove any air from the system. The master cylinder ended up needing attention about 6 months later, the seals eventually failed completely. Its worth having both components checked now to avoid potential brake system failure. The main signs that led to my master cylinder replacement were: Brake pedal slowly sinking to the floor, Inconsistent brake fluid levels even after fixing the lines, Continued soft pedal feel despite new brake fluid

alexander_feuer82 (community.author)

Thanks for sharing that experience with your Golf. Based on what you mentioned about the master cylinder seals failing later, I will definitely have both the brake lines and master cylinder thoroughly inspected. I dont want to risk having to do two separate repairs like you did. I made an appointment with my regular shop for tomorrow morning. Given the staining I found and the symptoms with the brake pedal, I suspect your diagnosis about leaking brake lines is spot on. Rather than just topping up the brake fluid, I will have them do a complete inspection of the hydraulic brakes system. Better to address all potential issues now than face failing brakes down the road. I will update once I know what they find during the inspection. Thanks again for helping me understand what might be causing these brake problems, your experience really helped clarify what I should have checked.

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VW

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TOURAN