Signs of a Faulty Brake Booster Check Valve You Shouldn’t Ignore

While broken down cars are annoying for everyone, a faulty brake system is a whole other ballgame. Problems with the brakes, particularly when they fail in an emergency, might pose a significant threat. Everybody on the road, including the driver and passengers, could be in risk if this happens.

What is a brake booster check valve?

In order to keep air from entering the brake system upon pedal release, a brake booster check valve is installed. In order for the brake booster to increase the force applied by the pedal, this part removes air from the booster and prevents any more air from entering the booster.

Avoiding air bubble buildup in the brake lines—which can significantly impact overall brake performance—is the primary function of the check valve. A safety feature that allows the brakes to function even while the engine is not running is the check valve, which connects the brake booster to a vacuum port.

What does the brake booster check valve do?

A vacuum hose that originates from the intake manifold is connected to the brake booster via the brake booster valve. To create a vacuum, the brake booster check valve draws air from the intake manifold whenever the brake pedal is depressed.

The brake master’s hydraulics are pushed to the wheels by the vacuum, which increases the braking power. To reiterate, it is a valve that only allows one way flow. As a result, it deflates the brake booster and blocks air from entering the system. This contributes to keeping the system’s suction intact.

Bad brake booster check valve symptoms

The check valve isn’t something mechanics or do-it-yourselfers look for during regular maintenance, but it will let you know when it’s worn down or broken. If the brake booster check valve is malfunctioning, what signs should you look out for?

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A sinking pedal, a spongy pedal, or the need to pump the pedal multiple times before braking are frequent symptoms of a broken brake booster check valve. Because fixing the check valve is completely up to chance, replacing it is the better option.

These are typical red flags that require the expertise of a service professional to identify and resolve. But other broken brake parts can also give off the same signals.

How do you test a brake booster check valve?

Reiterated earlier, the brake booster’s check valve serves as a safety mechanism that retains vacuum within the booster while the vehicle is not in use. In the event that the engine cuts out while driving, this part is essential for the brakes to work properly. The brakes will be able to retain their pressure even when the engine is turned off if the check valve is in good working order.

The purpose of this guide is to teach you how to inspect the brake booster check valve. Disconnecting the line and turning off the engine is the simplest technique to diagnose a faulty brake booster check valve. When disconnected, a whooshing sound indicates that the check valve is functioning correctly. If the check valve isn’t making any noise, though, it’s broken and needs replacing.

Conclusion

Before you fix the major cause of a broken brake booster, make sure you evaluate the symptoms of the valve. Accidents on the road will become more likely if this issue is disregarded.

We’ve covered the basics of testing a brake booster check valve, how to replace it, and the most prevalent symptoms. If you know your way around the brakes, you can use the aforementioned instructions to figure out what went wrong. On the other hand, a safety feature is a check valve. As a newbie do-it-yourselfer, it’s best to have a professional take a look and offer advice.

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