The braking system in your car relies on multiple parts working together to ensure your vehicle can be immediately stopped as you press the brake pedal. One crucial component that plays a vital role in your car’s braking system is the vacuum brake booster. Recognizing the signs of a bad brake booster is essential as it can help prevent accidents and expensive repairs. This article explains eh bad brake booster symptoms, causes, and how to replace it.
Brake Booster Function
A brake booster, also known as a power brake booster, is a part of the braking system that improves the force applied from the brake pedal to the master cylinder.
The main function of the brake booster is to increase the force applied to the brake pedal by the driver, making it easier to stop or slow down the car.
A brake booster is a critical component of your car’s braking system as it reduces the amount of effort required to apply the brakes.
They work in conjunction with the brake master cylinder, which generates hydraulic pressure to activate the brakes.
The vacuum brake booster, for example, consists of two compartments: the working chamber and the vacuum chamber, separated by an internal diaphragm. When the brakes are not applied, both sides of the diaphragm experience equal vacuum pressure.
When you press the brake pedal, a control valve allows additional pressure into the working chamber. This activates a pushrod that puts force on the master cylinder, enhancing the driver’s braking efforts with brake assist.
Driving with a bad brake booster is not only detrimental to your vehicle but also poses a significant safety risk to you and other drivers on the road.
Symptoms of a bad Brake Booster
When the brake booster goes bad, it produces the following symptoms:
- Hard brake pedal
- Constantly stalling engine
- Brake pedal is higher than usual
- Increased stopping distance
- Hissing sound
- Brake warning light
- Brake fluid leakage
1) Hard Brake Pedal
A hard brake pedal is one of the most common symptoms of a failing brake booster and requires excessive force to press down.
Normally, you don’t need to apply significant pressure while braking your car unless there is a problem with the brake booster.
When the brake booster malfunctions, you lose the assistance it provides. As a result, you will need to exert a considerable amount of force on the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a stop. This sudden increase in pedal resistance is a clear sign of a bad brake booster.
2) Constantly Stalling Engine
A bad brake booster can cause your engine to stall when you apply the brakes. Although a consistently stalling engine can be a symptom of various car issues, it is worth considering a faulty brake booster as a potential cause.
Here’s why the vehicle stalls when you press the brake pedal:
A brake booster contains diaphragms that may fail unexpectedly. When this occurs, excessive air may start to enter the brakes from the engine and bypasses the seal. Consequently, your car stalls as soon as you press the brakes.
Once you monitor this issue, it is crucial to have your car checked promptly, as it could potentially lead to more severe issues. Apart from the risk of brake failure, continuing to drive the vehicle without addressing the problem may lead to the failure of the transmission.
3) Brake Pedal is Higher than Usual
Many people may overlook this issue, particularly if they don’t actively pay attention.
If the brake pedal responds appropriately, most individuals assume everything is fine. But you must have the skill to detect if the brake pedal feels stronger than usual. The initial indication is a peculiar sensation at your feet when applying the brakes. If you are highly alert, you may notice that the pedal requires more force than before.
In such conditions, it is advisable to inspect your brake booster or contact a professional for proper inspection.
4) Increased Stopping Distance
Many drivers have a good sense of how long it takes to stop their car. If you notice that the stopping distance is increasing, it could be an indication of a brake booster issue.
With the loss of braking assist, the increased effort required to stop the vehicle can lead to a noticeable difference in stopping distances. This change may occur suddenly or gradually over time, depending on the severity of the brake booster failure.
Therefore, it is vital to fix a faulty brake booster promptly because it not only affects your car’s braking performance but also leads to a safety risk.
5) Hissing Sound
A hissing noise originating near the brake pedal or from under the dashboard is one of the clear signs of a bad brake booster. This sound is caused by the escape of vacuum pressure.
If you hear a hissing noise while pressing the brake pedal, it is likely that your brake booster is either already defective or on the verge of failing. It’s important to note that this sound is particularly significant if it comes from the area around the brake pedal or the engine compartment.
6) Brake Warning Light
Malfunctioning brake boosters may also trigger a brake warning light on your vehicle’s dashboard. This warning light illuminates when the brake sensors detect abnormalities.
If you notice that the brake warning light is activated, it indicates that there is an issue with the vehicle’s braking system. However, there are many other causes of the brake light illumination, including a faulty master cylinder, low fluid levels, or other related problems.
It is important to address any of these symptoms immediately because they may specify potential brake booster problems that need attention to ensure proper vehicle operation and safety.
Read More: Causes of Brake Warning Light Illumination
7) Brake Fluid Leakage
A bad brake booster may also lead to brake fluid leaks. When your braking system develops a leak, particularly around the brake pedals, it suggests a potential issue with the brake booster.
Hydro-boost brake boosters utilize power steering fluid, and if there is a leak, a large amount of the fluid required for effective functioning may be lost in the process.
Read More: Low Brake Fluid Symptoms and Causes
Causes of a Bad Brake Booster
A vacuum brake booster goes bad due to one or more of the below-given causes:
- Vacuum Leaks
- Bad Check Valve
- Damaged Diaphragm
- Damaged Seals
- Brake Fluid Leaks
1) Vacuum Leaks
The brake booster of many vehicle models depends on the engine vacuum to work efficiently. It doesn’t work efficiently if there is a vacuum leak in the system, such as a cracked or disconnected vacuum hose.
2) Bad Check Valve
The check valve plays a vital role to maintain vacuum pressure inside the brake booster even when your engine is turned off. If this valve goes bad, vacuum pressure may be reduced, leading to poor power assist.
3) Damaged Diaphragm
Over time, the diaphragm of the brake boosters may be damaged, which leads to poor power assist. This may happen because of the diaphragm’s age, wear and tear, or exposure to severe environments.
4) Damaged Seals
The brake booster seals may go bad over time. When these seals are damaged, they allow brake fluid or air to enter the booster and reduce its functionality.
5) Brake Fluid Leaks
If the brake fluid starts to leak into the brake booster, it may badly damage the diaphragm and reduces its performance. This issue usually appears because of a damaged brake master cylinder or other brake system parts.
How to Test a Brake Booster
Follow the following steps to test a brake booster:
Step 1: Spray For Leaks
Prepare a mixture of water and dish soap in a spray bottle. Properly spray the mixture on the brake booster while the engine is operating, and pay close attention to the check valve, hose, seams, and other connections.
Look for the formation of bubbles or water being sucked in, as this can indicate a leak and help identify the main cause of the problem. It’s worth noting that the issue may be with the brake booster hose rather than the brake booster itself if a leak is detected.
Step 2: Check For Brake Assist
- Start your car’s engine and ensure it is in idle mode.
- Engage the gear (drive or first gear, depending on your vehicle).
- Begin driving around the block, maintaining a safe speed, and following traffic rules.
- Once you complete one lap around the block, find a suitable parking spot.
- Gradually slow down your vehicle by gradually releasing the accelerator pedal, but avoid using the brake pedal during this process.
- When you reach the parking spot, keep the engine running for 30 seconds without touching the brake pedal.
- After 30 seconds have passed, turn off the engine.
- Immediately press the brake pedal firmly and note how many presses it takes for the pedal to become firm.
Step 3: Test For Boost on Engine Startup
- With your foot off the brake pedal, press it several times until it feels firm. This action will release any vacuum present in the booster.
- Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal and start the engine. Observe if the pedal becomes soft and drops under your foot.
- If the brake pedal does become soft and drops, it suggests that the brake power booster is likely not the cause of the problem. You may need to investigate other potential issues with the brake system.
- However, if the pedal remains hard and doesn’t drop significantly, it indicates a potential problem with the brake booster that requires further attention.
Step 4: Confirm a Vacuum Leak
The symptoms observed could indicate a faulty brake booster, but it is also possible that there is a problem with the vacuum supply.
- Ensure the engine is turned off.
- Locate the brake booster vacuum hose connected to the brake booster.
- Disconnect the brake booster vacuum hose from the booster.
- Connect a vacuum gauge to the end of the hose.
- Start the engine and carefully observe the vacuum gauge.
- Monitor the gauge to see if the vacuum pressure builds up.
- If the vacuum pressure increases steadily, it suggests that the brake booster is likely causing the issue rather than a problem with the hose.
- However, if the vacuum pressure fails to increase or remains low, it could indicate a faulty hose or, in more severe cases, an issue with the vacuum supply on the engine side.
Brake Booster Location
The brake booster location depends on the vehicle’s make and model. The brake booster is usually positioned between the master cylinder and the brake pedal.
It is installed to amplify the force applied to the brakes. It achieves this by harnessing the power of the engine’s vacuum (in gasoline-powered vehicles) to augment the force exerted on the master cylinder originating from your foot.
Vacuum Brake Booster Replacement Cost
The replacement cost of the brake booster depends on your vehicle model, labor cost, and the type of brand.
The average replacement cost of the brake booster is from $310 to $720. The labor costs from $100 to $220, while the parts cost from $210 to $500.
FAQ Section
How do I know if I need a new brake booster?
A bad brake booster produces different signs such as a stalling engine, hard brake pedal, hissing sound while braking, or brake warning light illumination. If you notice any of these signs, it means your brake booster is faulty and you need to replace it.
Why does it sound like air when you press the Brake Pedal?
The hissing sound often heard in the braking system is caused by the escape of air, indicating a possible brake booster vacuum leak. This happens when air is forced out of the bellows-shaped seal on the rod connecting the brake pedal to the booster. The presence of this noise is often a sign of a faulty brake booster.
Can a bad brake booster cause a soft pedal?
A major symptom of a bad brake booster is a firm or stiff pedal. When air bubbles enter the brake lines, it reduces the pressure and forces the brakes to become unresponsive.
Can I drive with a bad brake booster?
Yes, it is technically possible to drive with a failing or bad brake booster, but it is strongly discouraged. Continuing to drive with a compromised brake booster can be highly hazardous and increase the risk of complete brake failure in the future.
When should I replace my brake booster?
If you experience a hard or stiff brake pedal, hear a hissing sound when pressing the brake pedal, or have poor braking power, it may be necessary to replace the brake booster. It is crucial to address these issues promptly to ensure the safe operation of your vehicle and the reliability of your braking system.
Is a brake booster and master cylinder the same thing?
A brake booster and a master cylinder are distinct components with separate functions in a vehicle’s braking system. The brake booster is a part of your engine that aids the braking system by using vacuum pressure to amplify the force applied to the brakes, enabling them to be engaged more effectively. On the other hand, the master cylinder operates independently from the brake booster and is responsible for compressing hydraulic fluid to operate the brakes.
Does brake booster affect engine performance?
In the old vehicle models, a bad brake booster can lead to an engine running lean, meaning there is inadequate fuel in the cylinder. This can result in increased friction and elevated temperatures of engine components, potentially causing pre-ignition issues.
How do I know if my brake booster has a vacuum leak?
If you notice that your brake pedal feels “harder” than usual, it indicates a vacuum leak in the brake booster. This means that more force is required to operate the brakes, resulting in an extended stopping distance. If your vehicle experiences this issue, it is crucial to have your vehicle inspected promptly to ensure your safety, as a compromised brake booster can affect braking performance.
What causes a brake booster to go bad?
- Vacuum leaks
- Bad check valve
- Damaged diaphragm
- Damaged seals
- Brake fluid leaks