SRT-11

so I got 1.5 qts of the motul 5.1, popped each rim off (I was switching rims anyway) starting with the front driver's side and working clockwise (FL, FR, RR, RL) and had my assistant (bored wife) sit in the driver's seat. I turkey bastered out everything I could get from the reservoir (which wasn't much), keeping it above the MIN line at all times. First wheel, opened bleeder a half turn, wife pumped pedal 4 times, holding on the last time (there was a 2x4 underneath so she couldn't go too far) and then I closed the valve before she released. I did that 5 or 6 times at each wheel, and fortunately the fluid was dark but not black, but clean new fluid never came out. I also only went through 0.5 qts.

did I do something wrong? I still have a full quart of the stuff so I guess I can re-do it, but if I'm not doing it correctly I should consult the pros (you guys)

Thanks!!

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Number one is that the wife is to pump the brake pedal a few times with the bleeder closed, then while she has pressure on the pedal, open the bleeder valve quickly then close. Continue to do that for all four corners. If the car is a M/T there are 2 beelders on each front wheel. If you have enough time and an area available, you can always gravity bleed the system. Just open the bleeders and let the fluid drip out maintaining the proper level in the MC.

apnorm

iTrader: (3)

After you take out as much of the old fluid from the reservoir as you can, add the new fluid to max, then proceed to bleed the brakes.

As Turbonut pointed out, you did it backwards.

- helper pumps and hold
- you open the bleeder, wait, then close it (all while helper is still "holding")
- repeat until all the dirty fluid comes out
- prior to moving to the next wheel, refill reservoir as needed

If you have the brembo's, bleed the outside first, then inside.

SRT-11

Thanks guys. I didn't do anything that could hurt the system right?

SRT-11

How many times did you guys have to do the pump, hold, open valve before you got to clean fluid?

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Can't give you an exact number as I use a vacuum pump run by the air compressor, but you've got to remember that when you bleed the calipers, only a small amount of fluid is expelled and as you have the caliper and lines filled with old fluid, that needs to be expunged before you see the "new".

SRT-11

gotcha. should the cap be screwed on or open when doing this? or is that unimportant?

nfnsquared

Don't think it makes a difference. The service manual shows the cap on in the diagram, but I've always just left it off to make refilling the reservoir easier/quicker. The main point is to start with a full reservoir and don't let it get to low before refilling. Here's the full procedure from the SM:

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/brakes-caliper-o-h-pad-repl-hoses-bleed-disc-specs-park-brake-adj-3g-garage-d-041-a-578017/

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

I would leaver the cap on. If someone becomes aggressive with pumping. it could result in pushing some brake fluid out of the MC amd paint doesn't like the fluid very much.

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

I thought you were supposed to start with the furthest caliper from the reservior? RR, RL, FR, FL?

nfnsquared

Nope, not on TL. Start at front driver side and move clockwise. Click on the link I posted earlier and read the service manual procedure....

I hate cars

You probably got all kinds of air in the system pumping with the bleeder closed.

I used to have someone help me but now I use the cheap $10 self bleeder and it's quick and easy.

apnorm

iTrader: (3)

He meant open.

I hate cars

I was scrolling down and saw my mistake and then saw your post. Thanks! It's been a long day.

SRT-11

Aw geez, and I'm out of town until this weekend. Can you post up linky to $10 self- bleeder? So it's 4 slow pumps with bleeder closed, hold down on 4th pump (80% of pedal travel down, never all the way to the floor), then open bleeder valve until fluid stops coming out, then close it back before friend takes foot off pedal?

Even though I did this incorrectly, the pedal feel was firmer after I drove it around... it felt better...

I've still got a quart of the motul 5.1, I'll re-do this when I get back into town, how many 4-pumps does it take to cycle thru the fluid?

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

It varies, it won't be a set number of iterations. Another trick you can do to speed everything up is to throw a 2x4 board beneath the brake pedal...this will allow you a point to press down to and prohibits from damaging the piston. If you don't have another person available, buy a 6-pack of tasty beer, and get one...it'll make everything SO much easier!

SRT-11

Right but don't you have to pump-pump-pump-pump-hold, THEN open bleeder valve, then close bleeder valve, THEN release pedal? How does one person do that?

I hate cars

Yep. The only way to do that is with a self bleeder.

With the self bleeder, I pump the pedal slowly, release, pump again. Repeat about 5-7 times and then refill the reservior. It makes the entire job literally 2-3 times quicker. The fronts take about a minute worth of pumping before new fluid comes out, the rears take almost twice as long.

What I always do is bleed the brakes, go out and trigger ABS a few times and re-bleed. I think I used up 3 pints of Motul 5.1 the last time.

SRT-11

where do you get the one-person bleeder, an auto parts store? who makes it?

thanks!

I hate cars

I got a cheap one from Autozone.

It comes with a tee and some extra hose so you can bleed both sides of a 4 piston caliper at the same time.

SRT-11

is it the one with the little bottle that has a magnet on it and some clear tubing? How do you pump the brakes and open the valve simultaneously? I don't get it.

Sorry for the questions, I appreciate the help.

I hate cars

That's the one. It's incredibly cheap and I had my doubts but it worked fine.

You don't have to close the bleeder in between pumps. The fluid in the bottle and lines will keep air from being drawn back it. You just slowly pump until the bottle is full.

SRT-11

that's what I did, sorta, I used a component of that kit but ran the line down into a plastic jug with some old brake fluid in it, then opened bleeder valve, had wife pump x 4, hold on last pump, close valve (which seems pointless), she released pedal, then open valve and repeat a few more times. only possible difference is that the tube I'm using has a conical shaped piece of plastic on the end that I've been sticking into the bleeder valve, rather than the tube actually going over the orifice entirely. are these reliable or can they introduce air?

SRT-11

I h8 cars, hep me hep me. should I get plastic tubing or is the little cone adequate? How does it prevent air from getting into the brakes if there is air in the tube (between the bleeder valve and the fluid in the jug?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

just go get the 10 dollar bottle. since its small and fills up with brake fluid it wont introduce new air like how you are doing it.

SRT-11

this is driving me nuts. I'll paypal someone $5 to send me a fricking picture of this thing in action.

nfnsquared

do a search on youtube, should be plenty of videos

nfnsquared

SRT, not to make light of your situation, but I just found the perfect tool for this job :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6IK3orQW1k

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

It's pretty simple as you can make your own "kit". Years ago I made one out of a discarded household jar (peanut butter), cleaned, added some brake fluid and used vacuum hose that fit tightly over the bleeder, submersed the end into the fluid and began the process. The following video will give you an idea of the simplicity of bleeding the brakes. I have never used my hand, as foot power makes the process easier and I have never applied grease around the bleeder. Although it has some merit I have never had a problem without the application. You won't need to watch the expelled fluid as you're just "draining" the system, so air bubbles are inconsequential. Also start as Acura dictates, with the left front.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvyztDFHhaY

Good luck

SRT-11

haha I saw that when I was searching, it was part of the reason I kept posting up, I was thinking "WTF, is that what they're talking about? That thing looks like he put Johnny #5 in the damn car"