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[Webby the Bear]

Hi guys,

going to be changing brake fluid this weekend and before i do the bleeding (two person method for me) i want to replace whats in the resevoir and then obviously keeo topping up...... so can i just take it down to the minimum or can i go further without getting air in the lines?

cheers

[Lazydocker]

Take it down until the bottle is almost empty (just leave enough to cover the bottom). Do Not press the pedal whilst it is this low

In theory you can empty it right out as long as you don't touch the pedal but I never do

[Webby the Bear]

Take it down until the bottle is almost empty (just leave enough to cover the bottom). Do Not press the pedal whilst it is this low

In theory you can empty it right out as long as you don't touch the pedal but I never do

nice one cheers lazy 

[tunnie]

In theory, you can remove an unlimited amount. Assuming you are refilling at the same time of course 

[Kevin Wood]

You'll still have some fluid in the passages down to the MC so you won't get air in, as long as you don't pump the pedal, as said. It makes bleeding new fluid through quicker and also avoids drawing the worst of the old fluid (that has been exposed to the air and hence moisture) through the system.

[Webby the Bear]

thanks guys. so just out of interest then.... how much further down is the MC from that resevoir? 

[albitz]

Resrvoir sits directly above the MC.

[Webby the Bear]

thanks albs. 

i have read that a lot of companies do this and consider this done as far as a brake fluid change is concerned. obviously i know the consensus here will be to bleed them but is that really necessary and will the resevoir fluid swap be enough?

i would normally just do everything correctly but with this car and my fuel filter swap last time  i'm lacking a bit of confidence with working on this car i think

[Lazydocker]

TBH Webby, if all you want to do is change the reservoir fluid then you might as well not bother... You need to replace the fluid in the lines as it's the same age

[Kevin Wood]

Yep, and the fluid in the calipers has had a hard life, as that's where it gets hot.

Still, I wouldn't be surprised if it was normal practice in main stealers just to suck out the manky fluid from the reservoir and replace it with clean.

[Webby the Bear]

cheers guys, thats fair enough.... ill do the whole job! 

thank you

[05omegav6]

Yep, and the fluid in the calipers has had a hard life, as that's where it gets hot.

Still, I wouldn't be surprised if it was normal practice in main stealers just to suck out the manky fluid from the reservoir and pour it all over the inner wing. 

Fixed that for you but to be honest, what can you expect for £35

[Kevin Wood]

Yep, and the fluid in the calipers has had a hard life, as that's where it gets hot.

Still, I wouldn't be surprised if it was normal practice in main stealers just to suck out the manky fluid from the reservoir and pour it all over the inner wing. 

Fixed that for you but to be honest, what can you expect for £35

That's for the half litre of fluid, of course. What about the labour?