Flushing the Brake Fluid?

[Pauls898]

Hi

Can I do a full Brake Fluid Flush of the system with out the need of any of this Computer Wizardry? Or do I need to take this to a dealer who has the computer software to enable Brake Fluid change? The car is due for a service but I'd much rather do it myself if I can :-)

[zollaf]

you can doit without computer as long as you can do it without getting any air in. just pump 1/4 a litre through each caliper, keeping the resevoir topped up.

[Pauls898]

Thanks mate, I was hoping you were going to say that :-) I just replaced my Front Discs and Pad on my Renault Kango Van and bled the brakes myself with just a Jam Jar and a piece of clear tubing attached, so will do the same on the car as that needs it's fluid changed too :-) I was just a bit worried I might set of a brake alarm and then need a garage to reset some warning light?

[rowdy-999]

you can doit without computer as long as you can do it without getting any air in. just pump 1/4 a litre through each caliper, keeping the resevoir topped up.

Does that flush out the ABS pump too? DOT 5.1 ok to use?

[zollaf]

yes, the fluid goes through the abs pump before the calipers. and yes, 5.1 is fine although dot 4 is more than adequate . in fact, dot 2 is enough for most peoples driving. the dot is just the boiling point of the fluid with 5.1 being the highest and suitable for track use. dot 5 is silicon and best avoided at all costs.

[B5NUT]

I would stick with the genuine VW stuff unless you going to flush the clutch as well, as I would not mix the fluids. Just crack the bleed nipple off at each corner (one at a time) and let the fluid drip through.

[zollaf]

any brake fluid is compatible with any brake fluid. keep to dot 4 and you will be ok. letting it drip works but can take a long time. either do that and have a cuppa for each wheel or buy an easibleed, or just do it the old fashoned way.

[Pauls898]

Well I just had a practice on my Renault Kango Van and it was a breeze, I used a method I found on YouTube using a Jar with a lid, drill a hole in the top fit a length of clear tubing, have a small air hole too, make sure the tubing reaches the bottom put a bit of the old fluid in the bottom to cover the pipe end. Make sure the tubing fits tight on the bleed nipple use a cable tie to make an air tight seal, place some grease around the nipple so once you open it air can't get back in through it's threads, then open the bleed value pump away slowly up and down about 5 times then top up master cylinder, repeat to you have expelled about 250ml fluid from each wheel, start at the one furthest away. Now my van brakes are rock solid :-) Time to do my Audi now :-)

[Boy]

Good luck with the bleeding.
I have vcds and am local to you if you need it for other jobs.

[Pauls898]

Cheers BOY

What would you charge to reset the oil service indicator? As if I could do that I might have a go at doing my own oil service on my Audi? Do you know how accessible the oil filter is to change on the 3.0 DTI A4 model is, I assume I have to remove the underside shield to access the underside of the engine compartment?


Thanks