Losing brakes.

[spasticone]

I posted this in the passat forum, but no replies. Please....

Last summer when it was 100+ degrees, my 92 passat 16v would overheat when stopped and I ran the air. I then lost some of my braking (the brake pedal to nearly hit the floor kinda like the lines weren't bled). I kind of assumed it was just getting tired and we didn't run the ac if we were in traffic.

now... it's only 85 degrees and my wife told me it felt spongy when she drove it in the heat this afternoon. Not as bad as before, but still spongy.

So... I haven't changed the brake fluid, but they feel great when it's cool. I'm trying to figure something out to get her to cool down. The fans were running, the radiator and coolant are new, and the rest is in tip top shape. .

Any Ideas would be helpful as I'd like to have brakes. duh.

One other issue I can't seem to get fixed is my fuel/coolant guage. It works on the rare occasion for a few minuites then shuts off again. I've read about soldering the back of the cluster again, but before I rip into it, I'd like someone to tell me just what I need to solder. I have tried I new(used) guage and it is the same so I assume it is in the main cluster or the plugs.

finally, just to see if anyone else is getting this kind of milage, I just got 37.55mpg on a highway trip. 3 tanks, the best was 39.7mpg. How awesome is that???

[kmohr3]

your fuel guage problem is probably the voltage stabilizer or the printed circuit itself.

[spasticone]

Thank you very much for your reply. I should have posted up the results earlier, but your reply reminded me. The fuel/temp guages was fixed by soldering a piece of the board back in place. I found it online... so simple for so much gained As for the brakes... Water. How simple was that one too? I flushed the system and put in new fluid. I should do it one more time. what a diference. and since now I can actually see what my water temp is!!!!! Woo hoo. As for the mpg's I was boasting... They're still going strong and for a car with 175K miles... avg of 35 mpg is awesome. Well thanks all for the help.