Hi, Bree...
More specific information would be required in each case for accurate
answers, Bree.
With respect to the brakes...
are you making an assumption, here?
Air just does not get into the brake system
"automatically" or "overnight"...unless you've suddenly developed a
hydraulic
leak wherein air displaces fluid which has
leaked out or you have suddenly developed a master cylinder or other
mechanical problem(s) within the system.
Otherwise, besides low brake fluid
(when was the last time this was topped off?), worn brake pads
are most likely the first place I'd look
with a suddenly "soft" pedal (when was
the last time thickness of the pads was
checked?).
One thing is for sure, the brake "problem"
(unlike the "darkening oil" problem) requires immediate repair.
Normally,
braking is NOT an option...the brakes have GOT to work reliably and
dependably all the time, every time
The darkening oil bit could be anything from a stuck choke to very short
trip use
(or a combination of both),
wherein the engine does not get hot enough to "burn off" combusion
byproducts, one of which is carbon (very
"black"!:).
Has the engine always had regularly scheduled oil and filter changes in
accordance to the recommended
maintenance schedule given in the owner's handbook? If not, it can get
pretty filthy in there over many miles
or many "short trips" over a three
month period within which the engine
really hardly ever gets "hot". Which
is why "3 months" of such use is normally
accepted as the max for whatever oil
is in there, inclusive of filter due to contamination by acids, water,
carbon
and other combustion by-products which
again, haven't had a chance to get burned
off by a long, hot run at highway speeds.
Or, the engine may be worn after many
miles and is simply putting down a little
more "blowby" into the oil than would
a younger motor with better sealing
rings.
Also, check the color of the new oil...some
are pretty dark in color to BEGIN with.
Remember, today's oil's are "ashless
dispersant" as well as "high detergent".
The later term means they clean the
interior of the engine as they lubricate
and the former terms means they hold
contamination (including "black" carbon
particles) in suspension to be drained
out when oil change time comes around.
So the oil turning black within a short
period after renewal is not totally a bad
thing as it indicates to come extent that
the oil is doing it's job.
How long after a change does the oil
turn black? After how many miles?
How many miles to work? Short trips?
Cap'n. Bob
'60 :{)
|