Brake Bleeding

[c3po]

I have not had my brakes bled in a long time, so I am going to have it done by my mechanic buddy tomorrow. I once had the brake fluid flushed around 1999.

Usually every 3000 miles I have done the turkey baster method of sucking out brake fluid in the reservoir. Then I would add some new brake fluid.

Since I have 2 new quarts of brake fluid, would it be a good idea to flush out all of the old brake fluid.

The car is a 1983 Chevrolet El Camino with 364,000 miles.

 

[HTSS_TR]

You're long overdue for a brake flush. Brake fluid should be flushed about 3-4 years.

 

[c3po]

Are we saying that the turkey baster method does not really work.

 

[JustinH]

Yeah I agree, it should be done.

But the owners manual in my saturn says that you never need to change the fluid, unless you open the system up for service.

Any truth to that?

 

[VK56VD]

Brake fluid needs to be changed since it absorbs moisture and becomes ineffective.

Brake fluid should be flushed. The Turkey baster method does not work since brake fluid does not re-circulate from the reservoir and into the system.

 

[Nyquist]

You need to open up the bleeders on the calipers/pistons too. Otherwise you'll still be left with old fluid in the lines and calipers/pistons.

One really easy way to do this is to open up the front bleeders and leave the master cylinder partially open. Make sure it doesn't go empty, but just let gravity bleed the system out until you see new, clear fluid. Fill the master cylinder again and repeat this process for the rears. Then you can do the more traditional bleeding method of running the car, pumping the brakes, holding the pedal down, then letting the fluid out.

Given the age of the vehicle, it would be wise to thoroughly inspect the brake lines for any signs of excessive corrosion or weakness.

 

[c3po]

I should point out that the front brake hoses were replaced in 1999.

 

[Eddie]

Since brake fluid is hygroscopic, then new fluid will draw moisture from old fluid. The baster method does work but, it is not a replacement for a flush. If you replace the old BF in the reservoir with new and check it several weeks later, you will see a degradation in the new fluid demonstrating that the baster method does indeed work. I do the baster fluid replacement thing once a year and do a full flush when i change pads or shoes.

 

[PT1]

I flush all brake fluid at each reline. On my Harley it is annual maintenance sine there are 2 calipers between me and the abyss...

 

[mechtech2]

The turkey baster method is a great maintenance thing to do.
It most certainly will mix with the system. It HAS to, being a fluid in a very dynamic situation.
You have done your car a favor by keeping it's fluid cleaner and fresher by the turkey baster method.
But at 364,000 miles, a bleed is certainly a good idea!

 

[c3po]

mechtech2, have you thought about writing a book.

This what happened today, I had the brake fluid flushed today, and then bled the air out.

What was interesting was that the brake fluid that came out of my brake lines by each brake( I have 4 brakes) was fairly clean with just a little bit of brown color.

So mechtech2 must be right in that the brake fluid does mix, I was expecting it too come out real dirty.

My mechanic buddy recommended the brake fluid should be flushed every 30,000 miles since it attracts moisture.

 

[eljefino]

Turkey baster is also a prerequisite for any wheel bleeding.

Think, do you want that half-junk that's been sitting in the reservoir for who-know-how-long to be the first stuff to go through your lines, that you're trying to clean out?

A good bleed means approx FIVE refills of the M/C, one at the beginning, one at each wheel... the last one being when you're done.

 

[c3po]

That's what we did, I think we used almost 2 quarts of brake fluid, or maybe a quart and another half quart, just not sure.

But brake flushing is on my to do list every 30,000 miles on whatever car I own. I have heard that flushing brake fluid is very important if you have ABS, or anti-lock brakes, because if the brake fluid goes bad no more anti-lock functioning of the brakes.

 

[HTSS_TR]

If you use dot 3 fluid you should bleed every 3-4 years, for dot 4 fluid the time is shorten to 2-3 years regardless of mileage.

 

[c3po]

DOT 3