basic BRAKE question please.....
 

Hi All,
box-s 2001, new to me, acquired as a roller, pleased (very!) to report that she is running after immobilizer replacement, and the rest ended up being cracked plastic tubing (so far, that is), fuel pump and sender plastics, vacuum hoses etc,

Did not notice on around-the-block test drives, but today it is clear that there is little-to-no stopping power. Even coasting to a stop sign, i have to "stand" on the pedal. Not spongy, small amount of pedal travel, no noises, no locking. I lifted the e-brake on one of these coasts and it seemed very weak (added this in case it helps)
I believe it is ABS 5.3 based on blogs and part # 986.355.755.00 in the vehicle.

Since I never drove this Box in her prior functional state (nor any other porsche actually), I am assuming that this is not right. It feels exactly like when my manual tacoma is not running and I let it roll down an incline a few feet and then try stop it with the foot brake, i have to push really hard. So it seems as if the boxster has no brake assist at all. I honestly cannot recall if the brake was working more normally on the short tests, and this is a new problem, or if it has been like this since she fired up 2 weeks ago (so focused on noises, codes etc and driving slow)

I have no ABS codes on Durametric, fluid is full and looks clean.

No crack/perish/brittle with the large bore hose from the booster, no water signs.

Wondering if anyone has had this issue, before I start a deep dive.

Thank you in advance!

Check your brake pads. If they have the same amt or less pad vs the steel backing, it's time to change them.

Then flush the brake fluid. Porsche recommends flushing the brakes every 2 yrs. If you plan to track your box, you'll be required to flush every 6 mo.

The emergency brakes are operated by a separate pair of shoes (not pads) on the rear disks. They are not related to the disk operation. You may be able to manually open the shoes up so they have more bite, but that's only if there's enough material left on them.

Also, pull that hose from the booster while the engine is running. It should stall, or at least have a drastic change in RPM because you caused a massive vacuum leak. If it does neither then the boostet vacuum hose is not connected at the engine side. If it does stall or change RPM, then the booster or valve could be bad.

Thank you Husker and Piper, those are great leads!
They both make sense: I wouldn't know if the brakes were already in bad need of service b4 the car died, and 2nd lead, my other problems have been vacuum, why not this one also!
back to my box

Got it! Crack at intake manifold vacuum snap-on. Thank you!!!

Glad you found it and thanks for posting the solution!