Brake pressure regulator valve causing problems? Solved!!!!

[hollyacnelson]

Ok- wow amazing info!!!!-So i was told this is something i need to track down by a mechanic in california as i have a leak and he said this was it and i need to check my brake fluid all the time. It isnt always consistent when it leaks either.

I have a 77bus - is it similar with just clean out and paper gasket in that way? Any possible leads on refurb or new ones? I emailed german supply - maybe they can help...

Thanks,
Holly

[jadney]

I do a lot of Type 3 calipers and master cylinders, but I recently worked over a set for someone with a '79 bus. Out of caution, I asked him to send me the proportioning valve, too, just to make sure everything was in good shape. I ended up rebuilding it, just to get the rust and dirt out of it. In the end, I only needed to make a new paper gasket; everything else was in good condition once the bores were honed and it was all cleaned up.

Finding this thread helped me understand what was going on here and encouraged me to fix this valve.

I charged $50 for this repair, which was only a few bucks more than what I had to invest in some new hones for the small bores. I expect to be able to do the same for anyone else with either version of this valve (with or without bleeder) and that would enable me to recover more of my investment in those small flex hones.

That valve is a very interesting design, but the one I worked over was filled with crud that made me wonder how long it had been since it had worked properly.

Email me if you've got one that needs attention.
_________________
Jim Adney
50+ years of VW Type 3 experience
Specializing in VW Type 3 parts and service

[busdaddy]

Good to know, thanks for offering a service Jim!
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[surfbus23]

My regulator is leaking at the seams. To fashion a new gasket is there a specific kind of paper that is needed or will any paper gasket material do the trick?

[SGKent]

Scott at German Supply has been doing the valves for years.
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"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin

[Loftus]

[bruehoyt]

he paper gasket in my pressure regulator failed. I, like you, have been unable to find a rebuild kit. If anybody has any new information on gaskets or seals, they would be appreciated. The question I have is a washer. It doesn’t seem to be listed on the diagram. But it definitely fell out when I took thebody apart. Does this go between the spring and the primary piston?
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Current VW's:

71 Westfalia https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=633955

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Past VW's:
71 Karmann Ghia Autostick. 17-21. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=727596
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[SGKent]

look for witness marks
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"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin

[kreemoweet]

[surfbus23]

After years of very mild wetness my regulator has started to actively drip. I don't have a home base, so it's going to be a parking lot repair. Some questions:

What's the best way to get the brake fluid out before removing the lines from the regulator? I'm thinking just having a pan below it to catch whatever is there.
What should I use to clean the internals?
Should I use some gasket sealer in addition to the paper gasket I am going to craft? If so what kind?

Thanks! And any other tips/words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

[SGKent]

[lil-jinx]

if you are stuck you could bypass it,but you will need to be aware that the rear brakes may tend to lock up and skid the tires,reducing the braking effect.
to prevent losing the brake fluid,you can apply the brakes and hold the peddle down a little with a hold down tool (a stick will do if cut to length),this will cause the mc to block the ports from the resoirvoir prevent fluid flow,a bit of dum dum or the like will stop any minor drips at the brake line fittings.
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1974 Bay Westfalia. she likes to be called Ethel.
1968 Dune Buggy sold dec 2024

1974 parts bus
A smart man learns from his mistakes,a very smart man learns from other's mistakes.

[surfbus23]

Thanks for the helpful responses. 6 years living in the van and driving around the world. It is tough sometimes no doubt. I visited a VW mechanic in France and he just told me straight up no. He wouldn’t even discuss it.

I am worried about the possibility of getting stuck but I’m already headed that way as the brake reservoir is dropping at an alarming rate. Point well taken though and I’ll keep searching out help.

[SGKent]

[Abscate]

Make a bypass line up out of NiCopp and get that leak stopped, that’s dangerous to you amd others. You are probably loaded well enough to never actually use the regulator if you live in the Bus, but worst case shift as much weight as you can to the rear to help out brake equalization. Even a piece of flex line is better than a leak. Heat those flares with 30 seconds propane to get them off. If the break, don’t fret, NiCopp is an easy repair. No reason to drain fluid, remove and bleed at the repair. A bit messy, but also a good time to change brake fluid older than 2 years/40,000 km
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[surfbus23]

Again, many thanks. I guess I have always assumed the leak was coming from the seam, but will give them a bit of a turn. Unfortunately, propane torch isn’t in the current kit.

[lil-jinx]

i find it odd that there is a paper gasket between the parts,paper gaskets are not normaly used in hydraulic systems,orings yes and some times steel gaskets with built in o rings,
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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620186
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=668799
1974 Bay Westfalia. she likes to be called Ethel.
1968 Dune Buggy sold dec 2024

1974 parts bus
A smart man learns from his mistakes,a very smart man learns from other's mistakes.

[surfbus23]

Good news. Via a French VW Facebook group I found a kind mechanic who was willing to set aside some time to help me. We pulled the thing apart and found the gasket had all but completely deteriorated in one corner. So much so that it had permitted the entry of outside dust into the regulator. We cleaned it up, fashioned a new gasket and got it back together and leak free.

As far as the paper gasket goes. My guess would be that the primary sealing duty is supposed to come from the rubber seal. It’s a square shaped circle seal (or at least mine had become square after 50 years) and with only a tiny amount of clearance so a thin paper gasket is about all that it can accept.

[SGKent]

[lil-jinx]

traveling around the world in a vw bus.what a great adventure!
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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620186
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=668799
1974 Bay Westfalia. she likes to be called Ethel.
1968 Dune Buggy sold dec 2024

1974 parts bus
A smart man learns from his mistakes,a very smart man learns from other's mistakes.