Brake System Flush

[plaight]

How much brake fluid does it take? I have about 1.5 liters and I just wanted to make sure it takes before I get started. Doing all 4 brakes and the clutch

[mikepellegrini]

One of those large 32 Oz. containers just about does it. Maybe a little more - just depends how long you let each line go. 1.5 liters oughta be more than enough.

Got a Motive Power Bleeder? Makes the job about 1,000% easier. Gotta be one of the best investments in tools I ever made.

[plaight]

Not a motive, I have a vaccuum pump bleeder.

[mikepellegrini]

Huh. I had a MightyVac and didn't find it too helpful. Perhaps you'll have a better experience.

The Motive units push fluid through, rather than pull.

You top off your resevoir, then dump the rest of the brake fuild in the Motive unit, hook the unit up to the resevoir, then pressurize it. And that's it.

The hardest part is jacking up each wheel and opening the bleeder.

If you're using a MightyVac, when you do your clutch, make sure to have the resevoir topped off completely, and watch it closely - the intake for the clutch is at the side of the resevoir and with the front of the car jacked up, there's only maybe a 1/4" of fluid or so before the intake's sucking air. Drove me crazy. Just when you think you have all the air out, it starts spurting bubbles. You go look at the resevoir and your level is too low. Start over... Took forever.

[flash968]

yup - motive all the way. vacuum type devices do not work well. there is always an incomplete seal, and therefore you don't get all of the air out. a pressure system pushes against the surface of the fluid, and does not allow new air to enter.

the other issue is that the brakes and clutch share a reservoir, which allows the clutch pickup to become exposed easily and allow air in. again, used correctly, the motive prevents that because it is maintaining fluid in the reservoir longer.

[89-944NA]

Use DENATURED ALCOHOL to flush the system, not brake fluid. You can get the alcohol from home depot, lowe's etc.

[Cocacolakidd]

Just did another brake fluid flush/bleed - You need to use 25 + oz of Denatured Alcohol, and 25 oz of the 32oz can of Super Blue...The the that's all folks.

[djantlive]

you dont need to use alcohol to flush the brakes unless it's contaminated.

use flush with brake fluid to replace the old fluid every 2-3 week

[968 GUY]

Usually when you actually flush the brake system, it has been a while since the fluid was changed. Most people don't bleed their brakes often enough to keep the system completely clean.
I have never used denatured alcohol....yet....but have heard of it a lot,and it is less expensive than the brake fluid.

[89-944NA]

Denatured alcohol is the recommended way (by just about all auto manufacturers) to flush the system. Also the denatured will not contaminate the clean system and breaks up the sludge that accumulates in a system that is not properly maintained. Remember that brake fluid is hygroscopic (water absorbing...absorbs moisture from the air) and after 2 years the effective boiling point of the fluid has been significantly lowered, thereby reducing braking effiency.

What ever you do, DO NOT use rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol, it has water in it.

Brake fluid in a properly maintained system has been changed every 2 years, but for these guys who have never flushed the system, or have just purchased the car and are doing brakes and fluid, it is highly recommended....you then have established a baseline for future brake system maintenance.

[WeathersWe]

I had a MightyVac and didn't find it too helpful

[guru944]

Old fashion way, replace/upgrade to Dot 4 Castrol GLMA HP brake fluid. Clutch as well.

Very noticable difference in response even under light braking conditions...

Later.