Pics of my Brake System Flushing w/Motive Bleeder
11-16-2011, 11:13 AM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Pics of my Brake System Flushing w/Motive Bleeder
I'm sure this procedure is as simple as changing oil for a lot of folks but it was my first time and the information I got from here and renntech were priceless.
I thought I'd pass on my experience and some pics of the procedure to help anyone else that is new to brake bleeding/flushing. I used the renntech DIY article as my guide.
The most interesting part was bleeding the clutch. I tried using the procedure noted at renntech but it seems like the final step was allowing air to return back up into the valve. I ended up having my wife pump the clutch pedal for me so I could close the valve while it was still pressurized to prevent air from going back up in there. I know it isn't the exact procedure but the car drove great afterward. I hope there isn't a problem with doing it that way
I bought a magnetic bottle to catch the old fluid. I marked it in mL increments to help keep tabs on how much had been flushed from each corner.
Removed the plastic cover so I could see what was going on in the reservior. There are 3 screws on the top and one plastic screw on the side. You also have to disconnect the light to be able to fully remove the cover.
The plastic screen came out fine, but like some others have said, there was no way I could get a turkey baster down in there.
The Motive bleeder came with a little tube (no idea what it was for) that I figured I might be able to use. It was just small enough to squeeze into the slit in the top of the reservior. Anyone with kids will likely have one of these oral medicine syringe things. It fit the tube perfect and allowed me to pull just about all of the fluid out.
It took a few minutes at 10mL at a time but I was able to pull almost 300mL out of the reservior.
Then it was time to fill it back up with the good stuff.
Once it was full I attached the Motive cap to the reservior and presserized to "just under 20psi".
Finally a pic of the magnetic bottle in action. One problem I had was that my new and old fluid were very close in color. So close the only thing I had to go on were the numbers Ubermensch gave me for each corner (~0.5L from the PR, ~0.25L from the DR, ~0.15L from the PF, ~0.1L from the DF). I think I ended up flushing a bit more than I needed to but I bought extra so it was fine.
I thought I'd pass on my experience and some pics of the procedure to help anyone else that is new to brake bleeding/flushing. I used the renntech DIY article as my guide.
The most interesting part was bleeding the clutch. I tried using the procedure noted at renntech but it seems like the final step was allowing air to return back up into the valve. I ended up having my wife pump the clutch pedal for me so I could close the valve while it was still pressurized to prevent air from going back up in there. I know it isn't the exact procedure but the car drove great afterward. I hope there isn't a problem with doing it that way
I bought a magnetic bottle to catch the old fluid. I marked it in mL increments to help keep tabs on how much had been flushed from each corner.
Removed the plastic cover so I could see what was going on in the reservior. There are 3 screws on the top and one plastic screw on the side. You also have to disconnect the light to be able to fully remove the cover.
The plastic screen came out fine, but like some others have said, there was no way I could get a turkey baster down in there.
The Motive bleeder came with a little tube (no idea what it was for) that I figured I might be able to use. It was just small enough to squeeze into the slit in the top of the reservior. Anyone with kids will likely have one of these oral medicine syringe things. It fit the tube perfect and allowed me to pull just about all of the fluid out.
It took a few minutes at 10mL at a time but I was able to pull almost 300mL out of the reservior.
Then it was time to fill it back up with the good stuff.
Once it was full I attached the Motive cap to the reservior and presserized to "just under 20psi".
Finally a pic of the magnetic bottle in action. One problem I had was that my new and old fluid were very close in color. So close the only thing I had to go on were the numbers Ubermensch gave me for each corner (~0.5L from the PR, ~0.25L from the DR, ~0.15L from the PF, ~0.1L from the DF). I think I ended up flushing a bit more than I needed to but I bought extra so it was fine.
Last edited by dotframe; 11-16-2011 at 08:01 PM.
11-16-2011, 12:24 PM
#6
Parts Specialist
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
nervous = safe
you're OK!!
it wont be as hard as your mind made it out to be...our days are very social and fun....the driving is only about a 1/3 to a 1/4 of your day so walk around and talk to people...
I would refrain from leaning much more than how to relax and drive the line....any car "set-up" or other suggestions wont do you much good the first couple times out....its just learning where to drive, dont try to be fast...just be right...speed will come later
you're OK!!
it wont be as hard as your mind made it out to be...our days are very social and fun....the driving is only about a 1/3 to a 1/4 of your day so walk around and talk to people...
I would refrain from leaning much more than how to relax and drive the line....any car "set-up" or other suggestions wont do you much good the first couple times out....its just learning where to drive, dont try to be fast...just be right...speed will come later
11-16-2011, 06:12 PM
#7
Question... I have Castrol SRF fluid and I think I need to flush it out completely in order to go with the motul 600.
What would be the best way of doing so ? By following your steps, would you consider that a full flushing ? or just a bleed ?
Looks like a complete flush to me but I'll be doing this next week so I wanted to double check
BTW, very good pictures and great article.
What would be the best way of doing so ? By following your steps, would you consider that a full flushing ? or just a bleed ?
Looks like a complete flush to me but I'll be doing this next week so I wanted to double check
BTW, very good pictures and great article.
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11-16-2011, 06:27 PM
#8
Drifting
Nice write-up and pics. Thanks for sharing.
I'd like to do a flush on my car again but this time I'd like to try the dry(?) method. The last time I changed my Pcar brake fluid I used a buddy's bleeder and filled the pressurized bottle with the brake fluid but I was worried the bleeder would leak or worse yet, blow a hose.
Has anyone here tried the dry method. I assume you simple empty the car's reservoir, refill it with fresh fluid, attach and pressurize bleeder, and then repeat the process once the car's reservoir gets low again. Of course, with this method you need someone to watch the reservoir to make sure the level doesn't get too low while you’re bleeding each corner.
I'd like to do a flush on my car again but this time I'd like to try the dry(?) method. The last time I changed my Pcar brake fluid I used a buddy's bleeder and filled the pressurized bottle with the brake fluid but I was worried the bleeder would leak or worse yet, blow a hose.
Has anyone here tried the dry method. I assume you simple empty the car's reservoir, refill it with fresh fluid, attach and pressurize bleeder, and then repeat the process once the car's reservoir gets low again. Of course, with this method you need someone to watch the reservoir to make sure the level doesn't get too low while you’re bleeding each corner.
11-16-2011, 06:30 PM
#9
Drifting
Question... I have Castrol SRF fluid and I think I need to flush it out completely in order to go with the motul 600.
What would be the best way of doing so ? By following your steps, would you consider that a full flushing ? or just a bleed ?
Looks like a complete flush to me but I'll be doing this next week so I wanted to double check
BTW, very good pictures and great article.
What would be the best way of doing so ? By following your steps, would you consider that a full flushing ? or just a bleed ?
Looks like a complete flush to me but I'll be doing this next week so I wanted to double check
BTW, very good pictures and great article.
11-16-2011, 06:36 PM
#10
Pro
Thread Starter
Ya what I did was a full flush (followed the renntech article.) The only thing I wanted to do but wasn't sure how was flush/bleed the abs. Afterwards I did go out on the road and trigger the ABS just to make sure my car didn't explode killing me and everyone around me. It worked fine
As far as the dry vs wet method I can see the appeal of the dry method and will probably do that next time. I'll probably setup the motive with quick disconnects so I don't have to pump up the pressure every time I stop to refill the reservoir. Hell for that matter I guess I could just use my air compressor as long as I kept it under 20psi.
As far as the dry vs wet method I can see the appeal of the dry method and will probably do that next time. I'll probably setup the motive with quick disconnects so I don't have to pump up the pressure every time I stop to refill the reservoir. Hell for that matter I guess I could just use my air compressor as long as I kept it under 20psi.
11-16-2011, 06:51 PM
#11
more questions
1/ did anyone use the durametric software to activate their ABS pump while doing the flush ? if yes, when this should be activated, beginning of the flush I assume ?
2/ doing the clutch flush seems a pain, considering the location of the bleeder valve. Can the system be flushed completely without doing the clutch bleed ? I mean only bleeding through the caliper bleeding valves ?
1/ did anyone use the durametric software to activate their ABS pump while doing the flush ? if yes, when this should be activated, beginning of the flush I assume ?
2/ doing the clutch flush seems a pain, considering the location of the bleeder valve. Can the system be flushed completely without doing the clutch bleed ? I mean only bleeding through the caliper bleeding valves ?
11-16-2011, 07:04 PM
#12
Drifting
more questions
1/ did anyone use the durametric software to activate their ABS pump while doing the flush ? if yes, when this should be activated, beginning of the flush I assume ?
2/ doing the clutch flush seems a pain, considering the location of the bleeder valve. Can the system be flushed completely without doing the clutch bleed ? I mean only bleeding through the caliper bleeding valves ?
1/ did anyone use the durametric software to activate their ABS pump while doing the flush ? if yes, when this should be activated, beginning of the flush I assume ?
2/ doing the clutch flush seems a pain, considering the location of the bleeder valve. Can the system be flushed completely without doing the clutch bleed ? I mean only bleeding through the caliper bleeding valves ?
When I've had the dealer do the brake flushes on my 996 I just assumed that they also bleed the clutch and took care of the ABS as well. Would I be wrong in assuming that?
11-16-2011, 07:09 PM
#13
Race Director
I recently bought a Motive brake bleeder , but haven't yet bled my brakes which are overdue. Thanks for the pics and procedure. Now I'll tackle this job once I purchase some brake fluid. Thanks.
11-16-2011, 07:59 PM
#14
Pro
Thread Starter
No idea on the ABS system. I didn't mess with mine when I flushed.
I think doing the clutch is optional but I figured I already had the wheel off and the car on stands so I went for it. I'm kinda glad I did. I don't know if it is all in my head or what but the clutch feel seems much better.
I think doing the clutch is optional but I figured I already had the wheel off and the car on stands so I went for it. I'm kinda glad I did. I don't know if it is all in my head or what but the clutch feel seems much better.
11-16-2011, 08:01 PM
#15
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dotframe:
thankx for the info and pix. It was suggested that I bleed the brakes before my last track event. I have never done it and I decided not to try a "first timer", for my last half day event. Besdiies, I wasn't sure how much fuid would be used and I have a new, unopened bottle of Motul 600 fluid that I didn't want to use. Once you break the seal, it is only good for about one month, as it will absorb moisture...so I kinda figured it would be a waste since the car was going into ( is now in) hibernation. I will wait to next year and perform this regularly.
thankx for the info and pix. It was suggested that I bleed the brakes before my last track event. I have never done it and I decided not to try a "first timer", for my last half day event. Besdiies, I wasn't sure how much fuid would be used and I have a new, unopened bottle of Motul 600 fluid that I didn't want to use. Once you break the seal, it is only good for about one month, as it will absorb moisture...so I kinda figured it would be a waste since the car was going into ( is now in) hibernation. I will wait to next year and perform this regularly.