Changing brake fluid

[mr_cool]

I am going to change the rear discs and pads and thought it would be a good time to change the fluid as well. I think the best idea would be to buy a Gunson Easy Bleed and pressure bleed it out from the m/c? I did a quick search on the forum and founs people talking about ABS complications. Does VAG-COM need to be used to enable the abs pump cycle? I did read that the dealer price is £35 for the change so worth just letting them do the fluid change?

Bleeder = £15
Around £5
Total cost = £20 plus the time to do it

Also does the clutch share the same reservoir does that need bleed to?

(01 leon 1.4)

Cheers

 

[matt110tdi]

no point getting a dealer to do it, they just suck out the fluid in the reservoir and fill it with new fluid. They don't change it to each corner of the car.

It's easy to do it yourself. you don't need vagcom.

first empty the fluid from the reservior (use a turkey baster or something like that)

fill it with new fluid.

set up your eezibleed or pressure bleeder. (I wouldn't pump it though at more than 10psi!!!!)

starting from the back of the car undo each bleed nipple and watch the old fluid come out. (use a small pipe on it so you can make sure there are no bubbles etc.

If you're using the eezi bleed make sure you keep an eye on the fluid level. I use my own DIY pressure bleeder with 5litre capacity so I don't have to worry about that. http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=186959&highlight=pressure+bleeder

when all the brakes are done, do the same with the clutch bleed nipple. drain off about 100ml, close it, pump the cluth pedal a couple of times then open it again and drain a bit more to make sure there's no air in the system.

finally remove fluid from the reservior so it's at max level and not above.

....it's an easy job, just make sure you don't have the pressure too high and keep an eye on the fluid level so the reservoir doesn't run dry.

I am going to change the rear discs and pads and thought it would be a good time to change the fluid as well. I think the best idea would be to buy a Gunson Easy Bleed and pressure bleed it out from the m/c? I did a quick search on the forum and founs people talking about ABS complications. Does VAG-COM need to be used to enable the abs pump cycle? I did read that the dealer price is £35 for the change so worth just letting them do the fluid change?

Bleeder = £15
Around £5
Total cost = £20 plus the time to do it

Also does the clutch share the same reservoir does that need bleed to?

(01 leon 1.4)

Cheers

 

[vee_dub_modder]

no point getting a dealer to do it, they just suck out the fluid in the reservoir and fill it with new fluid. They don't change it to each corner of the car.

thats incorrect!!!! a pressure bleeder is used to bleed brakes in a dealership!!!! (a great big bottle with a pressure gauge and a pump action handle)

a pipe runs from this bottle and screws inplace of the brake resivior cap. the bottle is pressurised and the car is lifted inthe air. the calipes (and clutch) are then bled in sequence renewing all the brake fluid in your brake/clutch system!!!

if it helps also Vauxhall (well at least in the coventry, rugby and daventry area) currently do this for £30 quid inc gordon browns cut!

ANY garage doing the pippet trick at the top will not have a franchise name (Seat, VW etc etc) over their doors!!!!!

 

[Jayt]

when they done my car they totally drained all the fluid, flushed it out and then filled it and bleed it all out, took them over two hours to do, and i paid 90 quid for it as part of my service. i personally dont see the point of this as its the only car i ever had to have it done in..

 

[vee_dub_modder]

brake fluid is hydroscopic meaning it absorbs water from the atmosphear/air through the caliper seals, brake fluid cap etc. this water in the braking system is bad news for brakes as

1: it reduces the boiling point as the water in the brakes boils giving off gas that can be compressed unlike brake fluid giving you spongy brakes.

2: with the above you get increadsed brake fade and as such increased braking distances

3: water is any metal componants enemy! you dont want seizing calipers rotten brake lines ultimately costing you hard earned £££'s

its recommended every 2 years so its hardly breaking th bank plus it may just keep you from smashing into the car infront!! and lets face it, who is willing to skimp on brakes anyways???

although £90 quid for a bf change is robbery!!!!!!! plus how do you drain the brakes?? if you pump it dry you'll kill the master cylinder seals and you shouldn't put anything other than brake fluid in there!

they will have done what i said above a few mins ago with the bleader.

it takes 10mins to do in a dealership. we charge 0.4 hrs labour + 1ltr std charge for fluid. its then negotiated down to £30.00inc vat to all you lucky customers.

where ever is ripping you off for 90 quid saw you coming. vw on a bad day charge £60-65

 

[mr_cool]

Totally drained the fluid why the **** would they do that?

So whats this about abs also saw somebody saying need to have igntion or engine on for abs pump?

 

[vee_dub_modder]

can't see the need personally???unless the wheels turning over 5mph (i think) then the abs system is inactive. pressure bleeder is fine for the job (does what it says on the tin)

 

[Muttley]

Having the engine running would give you vacuum assistance for the brakes. Not necessary for bleeding.

 

[matt110tdi]

thats incorrect!!!! a pressure bleeder is used to bleed brakes in a dealership!!!! (a great big bottle with a pressure gauge and a pump action handle)

a pipe runs from this bottle and screws inplace of the brake resivior cap. the bottle is pressurised and the car is lifted inthe air. the calipes (and clutch) are then bled in sequence renewing all the brake fluid in your brake/clutch system!!!

if it helps also Vauxhall (well at least in the coventry, rugby and daventry area) currently do this for £30 quid inc gordon browns cut!

ANY garage doing the pippet trick at the top will not have a franchise name (Seat, VW etc etc) over their doors!!!!!

I know all that, thats why i use a pressure bleeder myself. It's not incorrect what I said because what I described is exactly what a vauxhall franchised dealer did to my old vectra. Just because they say they've changed the lot, doesnt mean they do. How would anyone know???

Just because you do it properly doesn't mean every other place does. Like I said, it's such an easy job, might as well just do it yourself, at least then you know it's done properly. Just like every other job on a routine service.

 

[vee_dub_modder]

again, a franchised dealer MUST conform to a standard set by the manufacturer. the dealership in question will loose it franchise if it is carrying out malpractice. also you can tell if a brake fluid has been changed as it can have its boiling point tested very easilly with a simple bit of equiptment. any dealer should have the equiptment for this especially vauxhall as its one of the checks on their VEHICLE HEALTH CHECK forms that has to be carried out on every vehicle to enter their workshops as part of their duty of care promis. You should have one from your last visit. If you felt they were not doing their job correctly you should have contacted vauxhall and had the fluid tested to prove your case. i'm not standing up for them but i find it hard to believe any dealer for any franchise would risk all for something so quick and easy to do???