I posted on here several days ago about my '80 300td and its stalling and braking problems. I semi corrected both, after a more thorough test drive I figured out the front brakes had both siezed. Having replaced the front calipers from an (if the manu date is 7/80 is it an 80 or 81?) xx 300td thing were much better!

The stalling was caused when the rotors heated up and the frozen pistons caused enough friction to all but kill the engine. Unfortunately I had to use the old pads which were partially detiorated and since the rotors had enough rust for some pitting maybe letting the old pads eat thru the rust isnt such a bad idea.

Anyways, I drove it around for about 30 min without any of the previous power loss!!! Things were great!!! Needless to say the braking power as restored even though it felt like there was a fair amount of air in the lines still (only bled the front two). Even so after alot of braking the brakes eventually failed. I wonder if it is due to a fault caliper in the rear? I have a feeling the rear left brake may need replacing as well, but for tomorrow I will just rebleed the entire brake system to see if that fixes it.

Also anyone have suggestions about the shutoff valve? After the longer ride today it failed to shutoff, I cant really expect my wife to get under the hood and shut it off.

If you are going to drive the car with semi-repaired brakes, the shut-off valve is the least of your worries!!!

winmutt,

What is the failure mode of the brakes? Hard pedal and you have to push very hard to make brakes work?

Above is caused by a vacuum problem. No engine shutoff is also a vacuum problem unless the shut off diaphram on the IP ruptured.

But both happening at the same time is almost always caused by no vacuum which could be a bad vacuum pump or serious vacuum leak.

P E H

haines is right. well, the other guy too.

how is your brake failing now?

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

The brakes seem to fail when heated up only. Even then, now that I have replaced the front calipers, I can still pump to get pressure. I will replace the other one that I think is bad and rebleed the whole system a few times to get it flushed and in proper trim.

Apparently the fuel shut off thing may have just been due some gunk? It hasnt happened again since.

i would replace the caliper hoses. did you replace the rotors? if they have been heated up that much they are probly warped. you need to bleed the whole system starting at the wheel furthest from the m/c. the shutoof problem still sounds like a vacuum leak. the system can leak and not leak depending on the temps. outside.

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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

also replace calipers only in pairs.

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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it