Brake fluid change

ian_alex · 13 Jan 2017

I have read that it is necessary to have diagnostics equipment to fully change the fluid as the ABS system has to be set to allow it to be flushed.

Is this the case and if so will a change without ABS activation be sufficient?

If not it means I can't do it at home and as far as I know the Durametric pro kit does not have the requisite capability.

Thanks for any info.

Harv · 13 Jan 2017

I have done it without abs diag and didn't have any issues on my '02 car.

Basically drained the entire system, cut the brake flexi's off and replaced some of the hard pipes that looked rotten, it sat as an open system for a few weeks.

Initially it was hard to draw fluid through, I use one of those oil evac pumps to suck the fluid out with the brake pedal constantly depressed to the floor and that worked fine.

After a normal process of bleeding didn't get any issues or warnings.

Did the clutch slave in the same manner too
:thumb:

997 Coast · 13 Jan 2017

New brake fluid every two years

End

Delanor · 13 Jan 2017

I changed the rusty front brake pipes to copper and then bled the system using a pressure bleeder by the usual order OSR,NSR,OSF then NSF using a reputable DOT4 brake fluid (as recommended by a Porsche indie)

Straight forward no problems.

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Del.

deMort · 13 Jan 2017

If you replace the abs pump / unit then you will need a tester to bleed it , other than that its a straight forward job with either a friends foot , a pressure bleeder or a vacumn pump system .

Porsche do it with a pressure bleeder and NO tester .

skinny_monkey · 13 Jan 2017

As I understand you only need the abs flushing if you break the system upstream (like replacing master cylinder etc) and introduce air ahead or in the abs unit.

If you're only doing stuff at the wheel ends then you can get away with just the normal flush procedure.

Im doing braided lines and just using the sealey pressure bleeder thing to push the fluid through.

ian_alex · 13 Jan 2017

I will use my pressure bleeder then!
Thanks for your responses.

wasz · 17 Jan 2017

I wouldn't drain the system without the computer kit!

The reason you need the computer is it opens the valves in the ABS pump to get all the air out of that. Only really need to do that with a new pump thats got no fluid in it.

If you drain the system you risk getting air in the ABS pump.

Just bleed like you would any other car.

ian_alex · 17 Jan 2017

I have always been given to understand that the reason for changing brake fluid is that it is hygroscopic and over time will accept moisture which in turn could cause internal corrosion of system components.
A 2 year change is preventative maintenance and the abs pump is an expensive part of the system and should have fresh fluid inside it!
Question - will this happen with a conventional flush? I don't propose to drain the system, just change the fluid in the entire system.
I think from previous responses including the knowledgeable Demort that a simple flush will do this.

deMort · 17 Jan 2017

At Opc or any garage .. its a pressure bleeder and then bleed the brakes .. we only get 0.5 hrs for it you know

The brake fluid is hygroscopic but when water gets in it has a low boiling point .. brakes get hot , the water boils and creates air .. air in brakes = no good

2 years .. a bit over kill but its what Porsche say and i can feel the difference before and after a change .. its only subtle though .

Tester is used when changeing a pump as it needs to be bled .. for a normal change of fluid then its not used .. some fluid will indeed remain but as we dont drain the entire system to replace it then you will have a certain amount of mixing regardless .

If anyone wants to use it though im certainly not going to argue , you will get all the fluid out but its a pretty small amount in the pump to be honest .

We basically push out the old fluid with new fluid , same way we always have just with a pressure system and not someones foot these days lol .

Good idear to bled at every nipple though .. not everyone does .

ian_alex · 17 Jan 2017

Thanks Demort.
0.5 hours isn't much but you don't have to jack up front and back, place stands, then remove wheels without an air spanner, find pressure bleeder, read instructions again as its 2 years since you last saw it etc etc !!!

Delanor · 17 Jan 2017

Interestingly some main dealers don`t see a need to change brake fluid at all - we had a local Ford dealer that was the subject of a sting set up by Trading Standards as there had been some doubt as to the quality of their servicing thoroughness it transpired that they were charging £40+ for a brake fluid change and then just not bothering to do it I guess many customers would be none the wiser.

They received a hefty fine.

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Del.

deMort · 18 Jan 2017

ian_alex said:
Thanks Demort.
0.5 hours isn't much but you don't have to jack up front and back, place stands, then remove wheels without an air spanner, find pressure bleeder, read instructions again as its 2 years since you last saw it etc etc !!!

Lol .. very true .

Charging for jobs not done .. hmm .. a fine is not enough IMHO .. it gives the rest of us a bad name .. if i saw a mechanic trying that then we would be haveing more than a few words about it .. Outside !

Brake fluid change

ian_alex

Monza

Harv

Suzuka

997 Coast

Hockenheim

Delanor

Nurburgring

deMort

Monaco

skinny_monkey

Montreal

ian_alex

Monza

wasz

Paul Ricard

ian_alex

Monza

deMort

Monaco

ian_alex

Monza

Delanor

Nurburgring

deMort

Monaco

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