Capacity of Brake fluid tank

[16vAK]

Does anyone know what is the total capacity of the brake fluid tank?

I want to do a complete brake fluid change and bleed the brakes and cannot find how much fluid I would need to do this?

 

[Nath.]

don't know mate just get a 2l bottle and you will have more than you need, maybe enough to bleed them again next year

 

[Guinness]

is replacing brake fluid hard?

 

[16vAK]

Thanks Nathwarr. You were right one litre was plenty so i've now got a spare bottle for buying two

Not sure whether it was easy or not as I didn't drain it out, but having driven the car for a while, I opened the brake fluid tank and it was overflowing slightly. Is brake fluid normally like coolant where it raises when hot and goes back to the normal level once the car has cooled down?!

 

[rob1]

when i had my pads changed by a local garage i think he put my fluid back in, when i then went to the dealers for a service they said your fluid is looking cloudy, if i dont change it then my brakes could fail?? isnt the fluid just fluid!! they wanted 40 + vat

i reckon they are trying to scam me, anyone know for sure if its something that should be done ?

 

[16vAK]

Brake fluid is quite vital! IMO its something that should be done. At the end of the day, your tyres and brakes are two important things to keep ship shape !

Its supposed to be changed every two years but if it was changed recently like you say It shouldn't be an issue!

 

[16vAK]

having driven the car for a while, I opened the brake fluid tank and it was overflowing slightly. Is brake fluid normally like coolant where it raises when hot and goes back to the normal level once the car has cooled down?!

Anyone know whether the above is normal or not?!?

 

[Nath.]

^^^^ don't think so mate, brake fluid is designed to work at high temps so no I don't think it expands and contracts

how did you bleed the brakes ? as you may not have done it correctly there is a correct order to bleed each brake in, closest to master cylinder last AFAIK

 

[Guinness]

think I will do mine soon like

 

[Fl@pper]

brake fluid can boil but you'll lose pedal feel before that happens - track day's is usually the time you'll get it

because of whats it made of it digests water if left over a long period so a good 2years tops and get it flushed out and changed - the more water in it the less effective it becomes

 

[Guinness]

yep opperating temprature decreases with age doesnt it? Sure I seen some graph somewhere

 

[Fl@pper]

water has enough pressure capability for braking but nowhere near the threshold for high temperature hence why brake fluid is used instead but over time water gets into the fluid (cloudy) and lowers its effectiveness and heat handling properties - either way 2 years tops

here's a graph

the WT is water percentage - doesn't take much see

 

[Guinness]

thought so mate, chears for the input. Anyway u know how I change the fluid on a 1.2 ibiza? presuming its not that difficult to bleed the brakes as its only 1 litre of fluid or so

 

[Fl@pper]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake_bleeding

but to be honest if you have never done it or have anyone with you that has i'd suggest getting it done properly

brakes after all are not be messed with lightly and need to be 100% right

 

[Guinness]

yep suppose your right, cant be that hard though.

 

[Fl@pper]

yep suppose your right, cant be that hard though.

it isn't really in principle just also easy to get wrong too

 

[Guinness]

aye my thinking as well mate, am not going 2 bother in theroy I could probably easily do it, but I also dont like the idea of pressing the brakes and going into a wall lol

 

[Fl@pper]

aye my thinking as well mate, am not going 2 bother in theroy I could probably easily do it, but I also dont like the idea of pressing the brakes and going into a wall lol

same fears here - much as we can help i wouldn't want to egg you on into something that could be harmful - best bet is to get knowledgeable help and make note of whats happening - my old man used to make me press the pedal when i was about 8 yrs old so by the time i was 10 he was pressing and i was bleeding as i could fit under the car better - victim of circumstance i guess

 

[mgrays]

Reason that the brake fluid levels change is ... when the pads wear the pistons stroke out and the fluid level drops .. diligent owner/mechanic then tops back up to max level .. then pads need changed.. basic mechanic then pushes pistons back and fluid level goes back up and then may be close to overflowing. Good mechanic takes a cupful of brake fluid out at calipers as the bit that is most contaminated with water is at hoses .. and it keeps the brake nipples free.

So fluid levels change with pad wear .. temperature not too relevant.

And change it as a min every 2 years... and brake fluid in the can is no use 2 years later.. it absorbs water from the atmosphere .. so just push 80% through the brake system when you flush/bleed and keep the last little bit for a top up if you really need it... which if you do .. it normally means problems .. so if you are using brake fluid.. look for the problem NOW.