vaccum check valve?

I noticed today my vaccum check valve was loose and can hear air coming from the plug when the car is started. Would that affect the drum brakes not working very well? Or maybe new brake shoes? I remember the last time I drove it in October I had to press down on the brakes almost to the floor but if it was to hard the car would skid a small bit. The brakes use to work really well but have never got under the hood until lately.

that vacum leak effects engine performance and your brake booster performance.

Fix it!

I replaced the valve but I still have to press pretty far down for the brakes to work. It does not sound like its leaking. After I shutoff the car and then unplug it I can hear the air suction. Bad brake booster maybe? I dont see how things can go wrong in 1 day after driving it.

The booster will not make the pedal travel far. Pedal travel is caused by either air, or something needs adjusted. Start with adjusting the brake shoes, which should make the pedal taller. Then try bleeding the brakes. If the pedal was taller after several pumps, I would bleed the brake first.

The booster will only affect how much effort is required to stop the car. If the pedal was high and hard, then replace the booster.

Danny Nix
CPP

If air was leaking from the valve on the booster before could air have gotten in the lines?

If air was leaking from the valve on the booster before could air have gotten in the lines?

No

The booster is a sealed unit. The master cylinder is a sealed unit. There is no way a leaking check valve could have caused air to get into the lines. More than likely if there is air, it came from the wheel cylinders, or moisture in the brake fluid. Dot 3 fluid should be flushed evry 3 years, DOT 4 every 2 years, Dot 5 even sooner.

Danny Nix
CPP