Do I have a Vacuum leak? How can I find out?

[10G]

2013 Y61 CRD.

My brake pedal is rubbish, it's spongey and sinks almost to the floor, I've had lousey pedals before in other cars, but this is the first time I've actually been worried about it in 35 years of driving.

Also, if I depress the clutch more than once in 3 or so seconds, the pedal gets harder & harder to depress, which says to me that the vacuum system isn't vacuuming back up quick enough.

This makes me think, I wonder if I have a vacuum leak somewhere that is causing these problems? I don't know much about the vacuum system on the Y61s or vacuum systems at all TBH.

How can I check for a vacuum leak? What should I look for and where should I look????

Thanks for any help.

[dom14]

I don't think it is a vacuum issue 'cos your pedal goes to the floor.

Check the master pump oil level.
It may be the master pump is not good or air bubbles are formed inside the hydraulics.
It might worth doing a complete bleed of all the wheels and the master pump.

[mudski]

The issue with the clutch is really an issue. Its a patrol thing. Its just the system running out of vacuum. Nissan did use vacuum tanks to try and overcome this issue but I believe the later model GU's dont have them anymore. If you press the clutch in multiple times with the revs up the issue will not be as prevalent due the motor being able to provide more vacuum. As for the brakes, I do also believe its a Patrol thing. Mine also did this, and have read of others experiencing this also. Did, well it still does but I have to really press quite hard on the brake. I replaced the master cylinder and put in all new braided lines when doing the TB48 brake upgrade. When I had my car engineered, the tester commented on how good the brakes were and never been in a Patrol like it. Kinda made me feel like i did something worthy there.
I dont think you have anything to be concerned about, but take it to a brake specialist and they could run some tests just to be sure.

[10G]

Thanks guys for the help.

I had the master cylinder replaced and it's all just the same, so that rules that out. I have a 3" lift and got rubber hoses when I upgraded them. I'm thinking of maybe trying braided lines, but I don't want to spend several $100s of braided lines to find out there's no difference, but I guess I'll never know unless I try.

Hmm ...

[mudski]

Thanks guys for the help.

I had the master cylinder replaced and it's all just the same, so that rules that out. I have a 3" lift and got rubber hoses when I upgraded them. I'm thinking of maybe trying braided lines, but I don't want to spend several $100s of braided lines to find out there's no difference, but I guess I'll never know unless I try.

Hmm ...

I will tell you that using braided hoses will definitely help. Only from experience with mine. Just make sure they are ADR approved lines.