OK. I think I get the whole brake bleeding thing. My only remaining question is, when do you start adding new fluid (assuming that you would be changing out stock with lovely new Ate Blue). I would assume that you let the reservoir run pretty low, like just about gone from the container? I would think that getting just about all of the original out would help to keep the two from mixing together...what do you guys do?

Also, where do you recycle brake fluid? It seems like especially nasty stuff, and I'm betting that I should NOT go dumping it down the sewer drain in the alley out back...

Thanks!

 

I would not let a resivour go any lower than 1/2. They will not mix, due to diffrent weights, and viscosities. You should be bleeding beyond the mixing point, and well into your new ATE fluid!

Alex

 

To minimize mixing of the old and new fluids, suck almost (but not quite) all of the old fluid out of the reservoir before beginning. Use an old clean turkey baster or a big syringe or something similar. Suck old fluid from reservoir, fill with new, then bleed. This will provide you with little mixing and a good visible transition from old to new fluid so you'll know when the bleed is complete. Sucking out the old fluid (rather than pumping it through) eliminates the possibility of pumping too much and getting air into the system.

 

Dont forget that the clutch system shares the brake fluid with the braking system. Dont allow the reservoir to go empty; in fact, it should not fall below the level of the clutch master cylinder feed (the 'hose' on the side of the reservoir) which is about 2/3 down. Bleed the clutch via the slave cylinder once the reservoir has become thoroughly filled with the new fluid. If you dont bleed the clutch system, the old and new fluids will eventually intermix once again.

You can successfully empty the reservoir with a suction device and refill with the new fluid and start with the clutch system first (it's easy to do) before moving onto the brake system. This will ensure that the new fluid occupies the entire hydraulic system.

 

...just when I though I was getting the hang of things...

That's the first I've heard of anyone monkeying with bleeding the clutch, but it seems logical. So, how do we bleed the clutch?? And how come no one else has mentioned this fact??

 

There is a bleed screw on the clutch slave cylinder. Push down the clutch pedal, open the screw, wait till the fluid stops flowing, close the bleed screw, repeat.

I attach a clear hose to the various bleeder screws so I can see any bubbles and also see the change of fluid color that indicates the bleed is completed. It also prevents a mess, and keeps the destructive-to-paint brake fluid from getting on any painted surfaces. Let it run into a jar or bottle that you can reseal and take to a recycling center.

The slave cylinder is between the transmission and the radiator, up front.

 

bmw makes a pressure bleeded which fits the mini it looks like an insecticide sprayer and has a cap that goes onto the top of the brake resivoir
very easy to use very very easy for just one person to bleed no peddle pumping involved.
mike

 

Does anyone have a picture of the clutch slave cylinder and/or could you more precisely explain exactly where the bleeder screw is? I have absolutely no idea.

Thanks!!!

 

Nobody's got any pics or a thorough explanation or the clutch bleed location? :???: