Finally Flushed My Brakes

[ConfederateTyrant]

I managed to acquire a Motive Brake Bleeder from ebay for ~$15-20 cheaper than directly from Motive. I have to say that it makes the job real easy.

From what I know, the fluid in my 1995 Grand Marquis was original. When looking in the reservoir, the fluid was extremely dark, but yet very clear when on my fingers.

I purchased 2 quarts of Super Tech Dot 3 brake fluid and flushed 1-1.5 quarts total throughout the system. I caught the fluid in an empty fruit juice bottle, and the fluid was between dark green and black, depending on how the light hit it.

When I was done, I could look inside the reservoir and see everything inside because the fluid was finally clear. However, I could see all kinds of s*** built up on the sides and bottom of the reservoir. Well, yesterday I looked at the reservoir and the fluid is much darker, as a good majority of the s*** in the reservoir is removed and in suspension with the fluid.

So based on that, I plan to do another flush this weekend.

 

[sprintman]

I do brakes/clutch anually. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, needs to be changed regularly

 

[The Critic]

You need to follow-up with a manual bleed. The pressure bleeder is great for changing the fluid quickly, but following up with a manual bleed will allow you to remove some air bubbles that cannot otherwise be removed. It will greatly improve your pedal feel.

http://www.zeckhausen.com/bleeding_brakes.htm

 

[VK56VD]

I had my mechanic flush out my system by sucking fluid out of each wheel. The machine that he used was connected to an air compressor. He used about a 1/2 qt. of new brake fluid.

Does this mean that he did not fully change the brake fluid and it is only partially new? The vehicle is a 1999 Nissan Maxima.

 

[TooManyWheels]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
You need to follow-up with a manual bleed. The pressure bleeder is great for changing the fluid quickly, but following up with a manual bleed will allow you to remove some air bubbles that cannot otherwise be removed. It will greatly improve your pedal feel.

http://www.zeckhausen.com/bleeding_brakes.htm


And the credentials of that person to comment are......? Or do you automatically believe everything someone puts on a web page?

 

[Bulli]

is there a different between bleeding brakes with ABS and those without?

i plan to bleed my brakes and clutch some time soon when the weather is nice. Brakes fade very often because there is so much water in the system that the boiling point decreases dramatically.

 

[mechtech2]

CT - That silt will discolor your fluid for a long time.
You did your car a huge favor by flushing it, but a few times more will help. You may also try simply sucking the fluid out of the reservoir and replacing it with fresh every week [2-4 times], instead of a bleed at this point.

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

Critic,
Please explain how the manual bleed will be anymore effective than what I did? Pressure forces the fluid out in both methods, and the Motive bleeder does not force any air in the system as long as I don't let it run dry.

mechtech2,
I plan to flush again if this next flush discolors quickly. Mainly because there's no telling what kind of s*** is in the lines and calipers that is now in suspension.

 

[bdcardinal]

i rarely saw an advantage to doing a manual bleed after a vacuum one. it helped on my mustang, but i was very picky about the brake pedal on it.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: ConfederateTyrant
Critic,
Please explain how the manual bleed will be anymore effective than what I did? Pressure forces the fluid out in both methods, and the Motive bleeder does not force any air in the system as long as I don't let it run dry.

I don't think the vacuum or pressure operated "one man bleeders" created enough of a jolt to remove the residual air bubbles. I did a vacuum bleed using a shop air operated Vacula. While it changed the fluid very rapidly, my pedal could still be a lot firmer. There was still residual air in the lines I suspect. In fact, the pedal actually got softer after a vacuum bleed on my Saturn, but on my dad's van it became a tad firmer. I think a manual bleed on either vehicle could greatly improve pedal feel.

Originally Posted By: TooManyWheels
And the credentials of that person to comment are......? Or do you automatically believe everything someone puts on a web page?

The Honda, Toyota and Nissan service manuals that I have here on my computer do not mention the use of a one man bleeder system. They also recommend performing a manual bleed whenever the system needs to be changed. In fact, even if the brake system needs to be drained and refilled, the Nissan service manual that I have here states that it should be done manually.

 

[TooManyWheels]

Critic - Thanks for the response. This reply is much more detailed and credible than the first one.

 

[sw99]

I use speed bleeders and it could not be easier. Every year I try and make time to flush out the old stuff and replace with new.

 

[oilboy123]

I use a vacuum bleeder that I made and push on the pedal about 10-12 times when bleeding. I feel the combo really helps.

 

[gonesurfing]

I just flushed the brake fluid on the Camry. It was original from 1994. I used probably 2.5 quarts of fluid, but i disconnected the lines at the master cylinder, and thus had a lot of air to get out. The MightyVac hand vacuum made the job quick. If you use a vacuum, just be sure to keep the master cylinder full. It's easy to get carried away and suck it dry.

Oh, and don't get any fluid on the garage floor. It'll eat concrete!

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: oilboy123
I use a vacuum bleeder that I made and push on the pedal about 10-12 times when bleeding. I feel the combo really helps.


I wouldn't do that. I doubt the vacuum bleeder creates enough of a vacuum to prevent the system from sucking air back in each time you release the pedal (after pushing it).

 

[Squishy]

I hardly ever close the bleeder screws when I bleed the brakes. On all of our cars just repeatedly stepping on the pedal results in a net fluid output from the bleeders. Saves a lot of time in trying to co-ordinate with a helper. Sometimes I just do it all by myself using an inspection mirror, if no one is around and I am having a bad day with the vacuum bleeder.

Not sure if that applies to all cars.

 

[wantin150]

Yes. Some ABS systems require specific bleeding procedures. I don't know how often your ABS system activates and exchanges fluid with the res (so there is no telling how it's current condition is).

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: sw99
I use speed bleeders and it could not be easier. Every year I try and make time to flush out the old stuff and replace with new.


+1. i need to pick them up for my Volvo, gonna be expensive though, i have 8 bleeders on that car, thanks Brembo.

 

[Steve S]

Vacume bleeders aren't the best as the seals only work with pressure , vacume bleeding allows air in.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Originally Posted By: sw99
I use speed bleeders and it could not be easier. Every year I try and make time to flush out the old stuff and replace with new.


+1. i need to pick them up for my Volvo, gonna be expensive though, i have 8 bleeders on that car, thanks Brembo.
Well worth the expense, as it increases the pride of ownership.