Help with brake fluid change

tdigood · January 27th, 2003, 07:51

Please I need some hand-holding on doing a brake fluid flush. I have done a search but didn't find the specific information that I need.

I purchased the Motive Power Bleeder. The instructions says to attach to the brake fluid resevoir, pressurize and open the bleed valves in order.

What pressure do I set the power bleeder to? Where are the bleed points that I have to open? Do I open the clutch bleed valve at the same time? How do I refill the brake fluid? Can the new brake fluid be exposed to air (brake fluid being hydroscopic)?

Any help is appreciated.

spoilsport · January 27th, 2003, 08:29

I believe 1 bar (14.5psi) is sufficient and is what is called for in the Bentley Manual. Some have gone as high as 20psi with no problems.

The bleeder valves are easy to find on the caliper as they'll have a little rubber cap over them.

The order is furthest to closest to the master cylinder. Therefore passenger rear, driver rear, passenger front, driver front, and then do the clutch last.

You don't need to refill the fluid if you use enough. I used ATE Super Blue in the 1 litre can. This was enough as you can easily see the color change, and when there are no air bubbles just stop the bleed.

The new brake fluid should just be put in the Motive Power Bleeder, it has to be exposed for a short period. The key is not to open a can, and leave residual brake fluid that has been exposed for later use.

dieseldorf · January 27th, 2003, 08:48

tdigood, it looks like spoilsport's got you pretty much covered with his responses.

The only thing I would add is that the WiseMan bleeds his brakes in the Spring time (annually) unless you tell me you have never done it before on your MY2000 car.

Let us know how that bleeder works for you.

ACHTUNG TDI · January 27th, 2003, 15:12

Don't forget to bleed the clutch, although manuals only say to bleed the brakes.

Snowman · January 27th, 2003, 15:27

Quote:

Originally posted by ACHTUNG TDI:
Don't forget to bleed the clutch, although manuals only say to bleed the brakes.

Bleed the clutch??

dieseldorf · January 27th, 2003, 15:31

Quote:

Originally posted by Snowman:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by ACHTUNG TDI:
Don't forget to bleed the clutch...

Bleed the clutch??<hr /></blockquote>

Snowman · January 27th, 2003, 15:34

dieseldorf... was that a response to my question? Two thumbs up? Sorry, I don't understand.

What clutch are we talking about. I must admit, I don't think I've heard of bleeding a clutch before.

dieseldorf · January 27th, 2003, 15:38

it's cool and his comment is correct. Don't overlook bleeding the clutch on a car with a manual transmission. VW uses the same fluid reservoir for the brakes and the hydraulic clutch. It should be bled when the brakes are bled.

HTH.

[ January 27, 2003, 15:40: Message edited by: dieseldorf ]

MOGolf · January 27th, 2003, 16:28

The sequence above is correct for Mk. 20 brake controller equipped cars.

Interesting though is that the VW procedure for Mk. 60 (mid-2001 and on) systems gives the sequence of front left, front right, rear left, rear right. In the event that the system has leaked fluid and a chamber has emptied, it says to bleed both front simultaneously and then both back simultaneously.

The clutch should be bled first in either case.

dieseldorf · January 27th, 2003, 16:55

Quote:

Originally posted by MOGolf:

Interesting though is that the VW procedure for Mk. 60 (mid-2001 and on) systems gives the sequence of front left, front right, rear left, rear right.

MOGolf, that appears to be backwards. Why do you think they changed the sequence?

golfstream · January 27th, 2003, 17:05

I have the Motive Power Bleeder and it works great... I've bled my brakes and three other club member's brakes. I didn't see it mentioned, so I'll add one additional piece of advice... when you're finished bleeding, you may have to siphon a small amount of brake fluid out of the reservior to get it down to the normal "max" level.

-Mel

P.S. I have a 2000 Golf... I bleed in the following order:

right rear
left rear
right front
left front
clutch

MOGolf · January 27th, 2003, 17:11

The orientation of the brake controller would be my guess.

The lines to the front brakes attach to the top (as mounted in the car). Air bubbles should be at that highest point. Doing the front lines first has the best chance of getting the air out first without it going to the back. The lines to the back exit to the "side", slightly lower down.

dieseldorf · January 27th, 2003, 17:32

Quote:

Originally posted by MOGolf:
The lines to the front brakes attach to the top (as mounted in the car). Air bubbles should be at that highest point. Doing the front lines first has the best chance of getting the air out first without it going to the back. The lines to the back exit to the "side", slightly lower down.

that's interesting. Thank you.

So, based upon what you have noted, I am assuming the bleeding pattern on an old timer, like my '00 Jetta, will remain the same: RR>LR>RF>LF and then the clutch.

MOGolf · January 27th, 2003, 17:37

Well, actually VW suggests clutch first, then the sequence you have. I doubt it really matters if done properly.

dieseldorf · January 27th, 2003, 17:40

Quote:

Originally posted by golfstream:
I have the Motive Power Bleeder and it works great...

Mel, perhaps you can comment on this. I have asked a few people about the Motive and no one seems to be able to answer this question. I would like to use it just to pressurize the reservoir WITHOUT putting any brake fluid in the Motive reservoir. Is there anything that would prevent me from doing this?

I want to use the Motive to pressurize the system so I can bleed the brakes rapidly and then top off the brake reservoir.

I am not keen on the idea of dumping an entire can of brake fluid into the Motive and then have yet another tool to clean up and more brake fluid to dispose of. I have asked Motive this question but haven’t heard back.

Thanks.