How many pints of brake fluid do you typically run through a brake system when flushing? I have just recently flushed my LexusRX & Honda CRV and both took 2.5 pints to run clear fluid out of all the bleeders. Is this enough? Too much?
How many pints do you use on a brake flush?
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JHZR2
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so long as it runs clear out of all of the bleeders, I think youre fine.
If you want to be totally scientific, calculate the volume based upon the ID of your brake lines, the length of same, and then multiply by 2 because you can only really estimate the other stuff anyway.
For me, 1L of fluid seems to be enough to do the job (including clutch). That is a bit less than 2.5 pints, so I think that youre OK.
Best,
JMH
If you want to be totally scientific, calculate the volume based upon the ID of your brake lines, the length of same, and then multiply by 2 because you can only really estimate the other stuff anyway.
For me, 1L of fluid seems to be enough to do the job (including clutch). That is a bit less than 2.5 pints, so I think that youre OK.
Best,
JMH
Yup, when I flush the brakes on my 528es, I use an entire quart of Dot 4. The stuff is hydrophilic, so once the seal is cracked you may as well use it all.
1 to 2 pts.
But suck out what you can first from the master cylinder reservoir, clean it if possible, and fill with fresh fluid before bleeding.
You will then have nice fluid to start with, and get a head start on a good bleed.
But suck out what you can first from the master cylinder reservoir, clean it if possible, and fill with fresh fluid before bleeding.
You will then have nice fluid to start with, and get a head start on a good bleed.
Originally Posted By: andyd
Yup, when I flush the brakes on my 528es, I use an entire quart of Dot 4. The stuff is hydrophilic, so once the seal is cracked you may as well use it all.
+1. On my CL-S, I deliberately used up the entire quart, but I did the ABS reservoir as well.
Yup, when I flush the brakes on my 528es, I use an entire quart of Dot 4. The stuff is hydrophilic, so once the seal is cracked you may as well use it all.
+1. On my CL-S, I deliberately used up the entire quart, but I did the ABS reservoir as well.
Originally Posted By: Tosh
Originally Posted By: andyd
Yup, when I flush the brakes on my 528es, I use an entire quart of Dot 4. The stuff is hydrophilic, so once the seal is cracked you may as well use it all.
+1. On my CL-S, I deliberately used up the entire quart, but I did the ABS reservoir as well.
How do you bleed the ABS reservoir?
Originally Posted By: andyd
Yup, when I flush the brakes on my 528es, I use an entire quart of Dot 4. The stuff is hydrophilic, so once the seal is cracked you may as well use it all.
+1. On my CL-S, I deliberately used up the entire quart, but I did the ABS reservoir as well.
How do you bleed the ABS reservoir?
JHZR2
Staff member
Im not so sure that there is a real method to doing many ABS systems. Ive heard that special tools/computers are needed to do it, but Im not sure.
My BMW had a faulty ABS pump, s it was a flood car when I bought it (all the hard stuff was re-done years ago by the dealer, but the original owner who I bought it from never replaced ABS)... A bosch shop found it was one of the solenoids, so I replaced it with an ebay part.
I flushed the whole brake system, and the ABS works like a champ. Nothing ever but a perfect pedal.
So Im not sure that there always needs to be a method for flushing the ABS. YMMY/YSMV.
JMH
P.S. on our integra there actually was a small fill hole on top of the ABS unit. youc ould track the fluid level in there. However, the hole was not large enough to evacuate, you only added a tad if it ever dropped or the ABS light came on.
My BMW had a faulty ABS pump, s it was a flood car when I bought it (all the hard stuff was re-done years ago by the dealer, but the original owner who I bought it from never replaced ABS)... A bosch shop found it was one of the solenoids, so I replaced it with an ebay part.
I flushed the whole brake system, and the ABS works like a champ. Nothing ever but a perfect pedal.
So Im not sure that there always needs to be a method for flushing the ABS. YMMY/YSMV.
JMH
P.S. on our integra there actually was a small fill hole on top of the ABS unit. youc ould track the fluid level in there. However, the hole was not large enough to evacuate, you only added a tad if it ever dropped or the ABS light came on.
Where are you getting pint sized bottles of brake fluid? The typical bottle is 12oz and a pint is 16oz.
As for bleeding I'd say use at least one 12 oz bottle. I have a MightyVac hand bleeder so I like to use two 12 oz bottles.
Like Mechtech said - it's a very good idea to remove the old fluid from the MC and refill with fresh before bleeding.
As for bleeding I'd say use at least one 12 oz bottle. I have a MightyVac hand bleeder so I like to use two 12 oz bottles.
Like Mechtech said - it's a very good idea to remove the old fluid from the MC and refill with fresh before bleeding.
Glad you asked, Critic, as I had forgotten to bookmark it.
Cut and paste from an EricL post on Acurazine:
I just looked at the Helms (2001 CL/CLS) and the bleed page is virtually identical to the Honda page you've shown. In fact the bleed sequence is identical.
The only item that isn't mentioned -- and I don't if you really care one way or another -- is in regards to the CLs with VSA, etc that have a small resevoir for the VSA.
On page 19-177 of the 2001 CL/CLS factory service manual:
VSA Fluid Replacement
1. Clean the area around the modulator unit.
2. Remove the reservoir cap (A), diaphragm plate (B), filter (C), and diaphragm (D).
3. Clean the filter.
4. Remove the brake fluid from the VSA reservoir.
Note: Do not spill brake fluid (yada-yada-yada) ....
5. Install the filter.
6. Fill the VSA reservoir with brake fluid until it reaches the upper line of the filter.
7. Install the diaphragm, diaphragm plate, and reservoir cap, then hand-tighten the bolts.
8. Operate the pump motor by driving the vehicle at 6 mph (10 km/h) or more.
9. Repeat steps 1 through 8.
10. Test-drive the vehicle at 18 mph (30 km/h) or more for a few seconds, and check that the ABS indicator and VSA system indicator do not come on.
11. Tighten the VSA reservoir cap bolts to the specified torque.
Cut and paste from an EricL post on Acurazine:
I just looked at the Helms (2001 CL/CLS) and the bleed page is virtually identical to the Honda page you've shown. In fact the bleed sequence is identical.
The only item that isn't mentioned -- and I don't if you really care one way or another -- is in regards to the CLs with VSA, etc that have a small resevoir for the VSA.
On page 19-177 of the 2001 CL/CLS factory service manual:
VSA Fluid Replacement
1. Clean the area around the modulator unit.
2. Remove the reservoir cap (A), diaphragm plate (B), filter (C), and diaphragm (D).
3. Clean the filter.
4. Remove the brake fluid from the VSA reservoir.
Note: Do not spill brake fluid (yada-yada-yada) ....
5. Install the filter.
6. Fill the VSA reservoir with brake fluid until it reaches the upper line of the filter.
7. Install the diaphragm, diaphragm plate, and reservoir cap, then hand-tighten the bolts.
8. Operate the pump motor by driving the vehicle at 6 mph (10 km/h) or more.
9. Repeat steps 1 through 8.
10. Test-drive the vehicle at 18 mph (30 km/h) or more for a few seconds, and check that the ABS indicator and VSA system indicator do not come on.
11. Tighten the VSA reservoir cap bolts to the specified torque.
between all 4 corners i run 1 qt through them..
Originally Posted By: cos
Where are you getting pint sized bottles of brake fluid? The typical bottle is 12oz and a pint is 16oz.
As for bleeding I'd say use at least one 12 oz bottle. I have a MightyVac hand bleeder so I like to use two 12 oz bottles.
Like Mechtech said - it's a very good idea to remove the old fluid from the MC and refill with fresh before bleeding.
Opps you are right! 12oz bottles X 2.5 so I am using about a quart. But all the fluid runs clear. Definitely a firmer pedal too especially on the Honda.
This will now be part of my annual regimen.
Where are you getting pint sized bottles of brake fluid? The typical bottle is 12oz and a pint is 16oz.
As for bleeding I'd say use at least one 12 oz bottle. I have a MightyVac hand bleeder so I like to use two 12 oz bottles.
Like Mechtech said - it's a very good idea to remove the old fluid from the MC and refill with fresh before bleeding.
Opps you are right! 12oz bottles X 2.5 so I am using about a quart. But all the fluid runs clear. Definitely a firmer pedal too especially on the Honda.
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