Hi ,

I recently changed my front brake pads and while doing so bleeded the front brakes and flushed and refilled the coolant as the dealer recommended brake fluid flush and coolant flush 70K service.

During my recent oil change visit (80K) to the dealer they said the last brake flush was done at 30K service and it's recommended and also the coolant flush as they were recommended as per their records !!!

So they are recommending things just by checking the records and not inspecting the vehicle !!

I am wondering whether the Brake flush is really required ?? I bleeded the brakes till clear brake fluid came out.

Thanks
Mars

 

Brake fluid is hygroscopic (absorbs water). Regardless of mileage, it should be changed every 3 years or so.

If you only flushed the front brakes, you should really go back and do it over again -- follow the order specified in the service manual (or search around here if you don't own the manual). You should always flush/replace the entire system since the old fluid will eventually contaminate the new fluid anyhow if both are in the system.

Bleeding until clear is good but again, only if you do all 4 corners in the right order.

 

Yeah as what Curls said you need to get it done every three years and need to do all 4 of the calipers otherwise you are just going to spread the contaminates around. I used to neglect this (prior to doing all of the work myself) and my master cylinder lasted about 100k miles before I replaced it (although it was only $50 plus my labor) but that's the least of your worries...the water begins rusting your pistons in the calipers and you'll need to eventually replace those (again not too bad if you do the work yourself).

 

what is the size of tube I should buy to bleed the brake and where can I pick it up? I'm going to do this, this weekend.

Thanks.

 

1/4" tubing from Home Depot works pretty good. You can try the smaller size down from that but it is a real pain to get that on the bleeder.

 

is there anyway to do this job myself without a machine?

I'm definitely due for one and was thinking about slapping on some stainless steel brake lines while I'm at it

 

At minimum you'll need someone to pump the brake pedal unless you get a vacuum bleeder.

Bleed pattern is Driver Front, Passenger Front, Passenger Rear, Driver Rear.

 

You can go to Autozone or Discount auto parts or whatever parts house you want and get a one man brake bleeder kit. Its essentially just a resovoir with a magnet on it that you feed a tube into. I think its more for getting rid of air bubbles than flushing the system, but its a posibility.

http://www.amazon.com/OEM-25036-Blee.../dp/B000CMDP44

 

When you have someone pump the brake, is it more of a chance for air bubbles?

What are tips to lessen the chance for air bubbles?

 

^^ make sure there is a constant stream of fluid OUT of your bleeder, then tighten. its really not hard, just dont get that suff on your car it will eat the paint..

 

Short answer, no.

They aren't pumping when you have the bleeder valve open, they pump to build pressure, then hold the pedal with pressure, you open the valve. When they hit the floor, you shut the valve.

 

On Brembo fronts...it's inside nipple then outside, no? Just double checking because I'm thinking I should do this before I cause damage. It's 5 years old and never been done.

 

Holy crap yeah its time. I would consult Brembo, but it seems reasonable that you go after the side furtherest from the supply line then the side at the supply line.

 

I have to recheck one of my old threads, it had the instructions. I am guessing you keep bleeding till the fluid is clear? And just keep topping off so you don't end up with air in the lines.

 

hey what up man ....i just pick up a 2004 tl & i brought it to the acura dealer for diagnostic & 2 recalls that was need for the vehicle, when they told me that my brake & power steering fluide needed to be flush wish let them do which set me back $400+...im not sure but if its needed just do it & get over with lol...

 

Yep, top off before you move to the next wheel.

 

dude...400 bucks...although not SIMPLE per s...definitely not difficult. Do this yourself!

 

Ouch. Local dealer did an oil, oil filter, 5AT transmission fluid, and brake fluid replacement for me, and sort-of-free tire rotation, total bill for 2 hours work, $273 or so (I supplied my own oil).

Doing coolant and power steering fluid when oil gets to 50% life. I could do myself, but I like the piece of mind I can keep intact letting the pros do it. After the extended warranty's over, though....

 

Hey...anyone know offhand how many little quarts of brake fluid to buy for the flush? I don't want to run out midway through. Although it seems like a lot...I'm sure all in all it's not that much to flush out those little lines.

 

please...how many do i need?

 

I called Acura and they said two bottles for a full flush.

 

sweet...thank you!

 

I called Acura and they told me the same thing. It's because that's what the standard operating procedure is for Acura Tech's.

I made the mistake and bought only two bottles and realize after the working on just the front driver side, that I would out of brake fluid already. So make sure you buy plenty and its tough to say how much you need because you want to make sure 1. The fluid is running clear 2. No air bubbles. and it varies on how dirty your brake fluid is.

Buy more than you need, if anything you can always use them another time.

Btw, I changed mine and I'm at 25k and it was brown and gunky.

 

I really don't know how they do with only 2 bottles....

 

Thanks for the tip! Maybe I will end up paying the dude off the books to handle this for me then...I think he might do it for 50 bucks and it would cost about that to buy 4 or 5 quarts of the OEM stuff anyway.

 

Can anyone confirm how many bottles of the DOT3 OEM Honda fluid is necessary for a full flush? I just ordered the motive power bleeding system. If this is a once a year deal, and the dealer charges over 140 to do this, it seemed like a wise investment. Plus, my gf and I both have honda's so it's universal and can be used for clutch and brake flushes.

Anyway...
please!

How many bottles, a definitive answer!
What is the sequence for brembos please.

Driver F inside, then out
Passenger F inside then out
Passenger R
Driver R.

Is that about the size of it? Please let me know!

Thank you!

 

For a complete flush it takes 2 bottles. If you have never done it before 3 may not be a bad idea so that you dont run out.

 

Awesome...3 it is then! And do I have the sequence right?

Thanks again!

 

Ok. For anyone else considering this:

I bought the motive power bleeder for 64 bucks. Great investment. I will say though...it does NOT bleed the clutch since it won't go over the master cylinder reservoir without hitting the rear wall.

It took 4 quarts of fluid to do the full flush. I am hoping I did it correctly...I did it till the fluid came out relatively clean and no more bubbles. Brake feel is a bit more hard and secure. Good stuff. Well worth the investment to keep the fluid changed and avoid rotting out any expensive brake parts!

Note: keep a huge rag or something on the ground in the general area beneath the master cylinder. I leaked fluid all over the place from putting too much fluid and pressure!

 

is ableeder wrench necessary to do the bleeding or will any wrench/socket wrench do the trick?

 

Any wrench.