Flushing Brake Fluid

cla5h · Post by **cla5h** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 10:52 am

Changed the rear pads on Saturday, and decided to take to opportunity to attempt changing the fluid, as I don't think it's been done for some years.

Connected up an Eezibleed, and as instructed, opened one nipple to let the bulk of the old fluid escape - with the pressure from the tyre, I was expecting that opening the bleed-nipple would cause fluid to start flowing.
However, the only way I could get any out was by pumping the pedal.

After a while nothing I didn't reckon anything else was coming out, even though there was still a fair amount in the reservoir.
After much pi**ng about I came to the conclusion that air had got into the system - again I was expecting the tyre pressure through the Eezibleed would prevent this happening.

Eventually, got an assistant, and managed to get some fluid flowing again to push out the air, closed off the nipple and topped up to replace the fluid I'd let out.

The Eezibleed didn't seem to be doing anything at all - am I missing something?

tenkfeet · Post by **tenkfeet** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 11:29 am

The Eezibleed should force the fluid out and flow when you open the nipple . I found the tyre pressure did not last that long and you have to make sure the valve is fitted to the tyre correctly as its quite easy to think its on and it is not.

I would leave the cap off the bottle and see if you get any air.

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 11:40 am

Mine always shunts a load of fluid into the res as soon as I apply pressure as the air in the top of the res compresses. Check that this is happening.

I also had a blocked nipple which needed fettling with a bit of wire then a clod of dirt came out and brake fluid pissed everywhere....

HTH
R

cla5h · Post by **cla5h** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:00 pm

Took the valve-connector off the kit, stuck it on the tyre and air was whoosing through, but didn't check with the tube connected, so will try re-connecting, and check for air with the cap off.

Richard, don't think the nipple is blocked as fluid came out OK when I pumped the pedal (up to the point where I presume it had sucked a load of air back in.)

Thanks for now, at least I know it should be forcing fluid through the system - will have another go.

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 11:28 pm

cla5h · Post by **cla5h** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:26 am

Also changed front pads, as, upon inspection insides were much more worn than outsides. Inpecting outside pads gives a very misleading impression.

Re flushing fluid: Problem was with the kit - metal insert at the end of one of the tubes was completely closed, so fluid couldn't flow through.
Got a replacement kit, and flushed the fluid - pedal still feels spongy, so suspect air. Read about rotating front calipers to remove trapped air. However, didn't try this as I wasn't clear how - could see the two caliper retaining bolts, but thought the brake pipes would prevent much movement - what's involved?

Also, couldn't locate clutch bleed nipple - had read should be near oil filter, but couldn't see it - anyone know (s2 - 111)?

mac · Post by **mac** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:29 am

Did you take the little plastic filter out of the reservior?

Mac

cla5h · Post by **cla5h** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:00 am

Nope!

r10crw · Post by **r10crw** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:05 am

Clutch bleed is on the actuator on the bulkhead side of the engine. Left hand side below and slightly inward of the coolant tank. The bracket that locates the actuator is bolted to the side of the bell housing and the nipple usually has a red cap on it if its never been touched. Cheers Craig

mac · Post by **mac** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:10 am

scottydog wrote:Nope!

Helps if you remove that - then your pushing air through the whole surface area of the cap and not just the tiny pinhole at the bottom of the plastic "filter".

Mac

cla5h · Post by **cla5h** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:17 am

Mac, fluid seemed to flow through quite easily, i.e. not what I'd have expected if pushing through a pin-hole.
When I removed the cap there was an attachment which also came out with it - is this what you mean by the filter, or are you talking about something else left in the reservoir?

mac · Post by **mac** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:29 am

When you remove the cap there should be a little yellow plastic "float" attached to it. If you fishing inside the rim then there's a little plastic "tub" with a pin hole in the bottom and a slot about 3/4 of the way up. I normally remove that as it helps and also get's very dirty so it's worth cleaning it when changing fluids.

Mac

cla5h · Post by **cla5h** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:43 am

Will have a look, thanks.