chadsTL

Hi All,

Got a silly question and need some advice. Search
the forum but didn't find what I'm looking for.

The service dept. told me my 08 TL is due for a recommended 3-yr brake flush and is gonna cost me about $150. I wasn't gonna flush it myself anyway, but the service guy told me the way they do the brake flush is different with outside shops, said something about vacuuming the old fluid. Is this true or is he just trying to make me have the service there ?

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

The general public will have someone pump the brake pedal to flush out the old fluid, or even do a gravity drain, both being time consuming. Vacuum method is just a unit that is connected to the caliper bleeder and although it can be a vacuum pump that is hand operated, most shops, as I do, use a unit that is connected to an air compressor. The high velocity of air passing through will pull the fluid out of the caliper into a container.

erdoc48

Brake fluid absorbs water over time, so that's the reason for the brake fluid flush- every 3 years is a good guide. An independent shop will do it for less (I use Goodyear, and when I had the brake fluid purge, it was $90 or so).

dbqkqh

Yes, they would be correct.
The problem is with the vacuuming process is that they can't flush out the fluid in the hose -- well something like that.

Well, I can't remember all the details, it's been a long time since I've talked with my friend whose a technician for Acura.

DMZ

A reliable independent shop could more than likely do the job for less than $100. Just make sure they use the DOT4 synthetic brake fluid.
.
.

wantedTL/TS

Turkey Baster and new fluid.

Done.

Yes yes, I know it doesn't get everything, but cleaning out the fluid is good enough for me.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

It's not the contaminated fluid in the MC that is the problem, it's the fluid that resides in the calipers and over time will cause rust (moisture) in the bore and a sticky piston.

Actually it's just the opposite. Some say that using a vacuum will pull the fluid from the lines and not completely flush out the caliper as well as someone that pumps the brakes and pushes the fluid out of the caliper. I believe that either method is a positive step in clearing out the old fulid.

wantedTL/TS

In all honesty, I've changed the brake fluid once on my 13 year old 97 Civic EX. Has never happened to me and nothing has seized, etc. 109k later.

I do practice maintenance, but this is one I usually overlook.

apnorm

iTrader: (3)

There's some DIY threads out there if you want to do it yourself and save money.

But to answer your question, I think any shop would be able to flush it for you just as well as the dealership. If you do go this route, make sure you tell them to start with the Driver Front first (per owner's manual) and work clockwise. If you have a 6MT, let them know there are two valves on the Brembo's...do outside first and then inside.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Have to agree on this one, in that most never encounter a problem, but if they do it can be costly. On one of our cars (4 piston front caliper), because of the moisture that accumulates in the lower portion of the vertical caliper, lower piston seized. I rebuilt the calipers for about $28 and all is fine, but replacement calipers would have been quite costly. If you can do it yourself, no cost except the fluid and a good idea to consider, pay someone and the maintenance intervals tend to dwindle.

01tl4tl

flushing the brake fluid is a simple diy for most, and not that time consuming--under 45 minutes first time being extra careful

acura says 3 years then every year is a good idea
I dont care about your 25 year old car,,this is a TL with some expensive parts and systems
Wiki hydroscopic and learn why this is not the only fluid that needs changing due to moisture absorbtion--ps fluid for one

manual pump and release fluid method does get the old fluid out,,keep doing it until nothing but clean fluid and then a few more times,,its all done

100 bucks is max a shop should be charging--the service writers job is to BS you into spending more than you should (I was one of them back in the day)
but the job itself does need to be done

I hate cars

It's your decision to have a dealer do it or not. Just keep in mind it's about $6 worth of fluid and about 30 minutes of their time. The method they mention is quicker but not necessarily better.

If you do it yourself it could take a couple hours the first time but I've done it a bunch of times and it's 30-45 minutes for me.

If you pay the extra money for the dealer, make sure they're going to cycle the ABS modulator to get the old fluid and air out of there too. That's one advantage. I have to flush the system then go out and hit ABS a few times then rebleed.

Sutitan

Ill leave this here (Acura Brake Bleeding Guide). I attempted to find the DIY, but im awful at finding these things

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...dingpg19-9.jpg

jchan2

$150 seems kind of expensive; my Acura dealer charged me $49.50 to do it.

johnny3

Is pressure bleeding a no-no? No body mentions it seems like, makes
a simple job even more simple.
A universal type fixture clamps on top your master cylinder, air hose connected to fixture, 10,15 lb. regulated air used, go around & open each bleeder (keep m-cy. full) in correct order & your done, one man job.

Adobeman

I don't see how using a vacuum bleeder would produce any different end results than any other method. As long as you do the proper caliper order (and piston order if Brembo fronts) than you are good to go. Some cars used to have odd procedures with the ABS modulators (and jumping relays) but the Acura service manual doesn't call for any of that.

NAiL05

Vacuum bleeder works BUT you have to watch out for certain vehicles and how much pressure you put in them. Certain cars do NOT like the vacuum bleeding process because it flips master cylinder o rings. Personally I prefer to use a pressure bleeder instead of the vacuum method. It applies pressure at the master cylinder and you just go to every wheel and bleed it out. I find that way more effective and less prone to flipping seals.

chadsTL

Hey....thanks for all the comments/information. I have a pretty good idea about what they(dealership) are telling me now. I've done DIY on my civic before, but all I got was a messed up garage floor. LOL...guess I'm not one of those handy people. I wish I were..but I'm not.

NAiL05

Well just cover up where you bleed with a bucket that always helps. A side of brake cleaner helps clean it up.