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Brake fluid drain and refill
Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 7:12 am
by charlE30
I haven't changed brake fluid before and feel the time is now. Can anyone give me a guide/tips etc to doing this as both the Bently and haynes manuals are very vague about getting the old fluid out.
I'm hoping this will improve the feel of the brakes as mine are quite heavy compared to my girlfriends 325 tourer.
Cheers chaps

and I hope you all have a great day tomorrow.
Charlie
P.S I did use the search function and couldn't find the answer I was looking for....
Re: Brake fluid drain and refill
Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 9:05 am
by Templ8e30
Start at the rear of the car, proceed as you would do if bleeding all the brakes but keep topping up the reservoir and keep bleeding until fresh fluid comes out. The old stuff is invariably darker than the new stuff.
ATE super blue is great in that you can spot the new fluid over the old, new will be a lovely blue colour
Cheers,
Iain T
Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 9:14 am
by charlE30
Cheers Iain
I'm going to try and get hold of the ATE super blue today, would you happen to know the required quantity for a complete fluid change?
Cheers
Charlie
Re:
Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 10:13 am
by Brianmoooore
Syringe as much of the old fluid out of the resevoir as you can and top up with the new fluid before you bleed anything, add the new fluid as carefully as possible to avoid mixing it with the old.
Don't forget the clutch fluid as well while you're at it!
Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 10:16 am
by charlE30
Thanks Brian, got my tools together including a good sized syringe, would you happen to know approx how much fluid I'll need to do both? I've got to go out and buy some and have no idea how much to get.
Cheers
Charlie
Re:
Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 10:21 am
by biggav
you should be fine with a litre of fluid for a complete change, most motor factors will sell a one man bleed kit which forces new fluid through the system using the air pressure from the spare wheel, iirc its called Ezi Bleed.
Absolute godsend if on your own and very easy to use
dont get it anywhere near the paintwork and if you do rinse it heavily with water.
Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 10:28 am
by charlE30
Already got an Ezi bleed kit from somewhere

just need to pop out and get some fluid, 1 litre it is then
Cheers
Charlie
Re:
Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 10:57 am
by Brianmoooore
Brake fluid doesn't keep well once the can has been opened, so always buy it in relatively small containers.
Re:
Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 11:05 am
by charlE30
Brianmoooore wrote:Brake fluid doesn't keep well once the can has been opened, so always buy it in relatively small containers.
Just got back with a litre of fluid, I'll date the bottle for future reference. Approx how long would you say an opened bottle should be OK for?
Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 2:00 pm
by charlE30

all done, cheers chaps

the brakes feel like they should again..
Charlie