Brake problem?

[Sheldon]

I have a '97 Outback. It's been really cold here, and I've noticed when I
first hit the brakes, like when backing out of the driveway, the pedal is
very hard and nothing happens. If I keep pushing it eventually gives and I
have brakes again. Either that or let the car warm up quite a bit. Pedal
is a bit mushy otherwise, but that seems to be pretty normal in this group
from what I've read so far.

Anybody know what's causing this?

Thanks.

Sheldon

 

[Ragnar]

I have a '97 Outback. It's been really cold here, and I've noticed when I
first hit the brakes, like when backing out of the driveway, the pedal is
very hard and nothing happens. If I keep pushing it eventually gives and I
have brakes again. Either that or let the car warm up quite a bit. Pedal
is a bit mushy otherwise, but that seems to be pretty normal in this group
from what I've read so far.

Anybody know what's causing this?

Thanks.

Sheldon

A previous poster had a similar problem. Probably the check valve in
the vacuum line was the diagnosis. Here's the original thread:







seconds. The colder it is, the longer it takes the brakes to work.
I've been out in 0F/-18C and had to warm up the car for at least a
minute before the brakes are normal.morning, except that I'm a firefighter/emt, and need to be on the road
within as few seconds as possible, for those charming 3:00 AM calls.
(Very bad form to crash the car on the way to a call, too.)Outback, that does the same thing. My mother's '03 Forester also does
it, but at least she never needs to be on the road withinpower assist is not doing any assisting. But for all I know it could be
something completely different.

The check valve in the vac line to the booster is freezing up. The
dealer should have a solution. If not try the check-valve from another
kind of vehicle.

Hi,
How old is the brake fluid? More likely it is contaminated with
moisture. Flush and refill. Brake fluid doesn't last forever.