Help! Bled Brake Master Cylinder Dry!
#1
New Member
Thread Starter
Help! Bled Brake Master Cylinder Dry!
Hey guys,
Hoping someone is willing to help a newbie with a problem. I've bled my brakes plenty of times before, but don't ask me how, I bled my reservoir dry. The pedal has little to no pressure left. I'm assuming I'm in for the painful task of removing the master cylinder and bench bleeding it. If anyone can provide me a how-to or some advice on how to do this, or if there are any alternatives, I would be forever grateful.
Haven't been working on my car on my own for long, but am always trying to learn.
Thanks everyone!
Hoping someone is willing to help a newbie with a problem. I've bled my brakes plenty of times before, but don't ask me how, I bled my reservoir dry. The pedal has little to no pressure left. I'm assuming I'm in for the painful task of removing the master cylinder and bench bleeding it. If anyone can provide me a how-to or some advice on how to do this, or if there are any alternatives, I would be forever grateful.
Haven't been working on my car on my own for long, but am always trying to learn.
Thanks everyone!
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SpartaEvolution (06-15-2018)
#3
New Member
iTrader: (2)
I've read that if you let the master go completely dry, the only option is to take it to the dealer since they have to connect to the abs unit in order to properly bleed it by cycling the system.
When I did my BBK install I had success in gravity bleeding and then using a Motive bleeder, but I didn't let it go completely dry.
Others have suggested finding a gravel road and making the abs engage by slamming on the brakes, but this seems a little sketch.
https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...o-install.html
https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...ding-help.html
https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...tem-bleed.html
When I did my BBK install I had success in gravity bleeding and then using a Motive bleeder, but I didn't let it go completely dry.
Others have suggested finding a gravel road and making the abs engage by slamming on the brakes, but this seems a little sketch.
https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...o-install.html
https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...ding-help.html
https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...tem-bleed.html
#4
New Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the response guys! I am going to see if I can pick up a Motive Bleeder today and give it a try. Otherwise it looks like it will be a tow to the dealership :/
#5
New Member
iTrader: (2)
If the pedal is not really firm after bleeding, it seems like driving it for a little bit and doing some hard braking may help you out. In other words, don't get discouraged after using the Motive bleeder if it's not quite where you want it - it may just take some more braking!
#6
Registered User
Bummer! Even with the number of times we've bled brakes in our shop, it's surprisingly easy to forget to check that brake master cyl res when you're bleeding. That 'tiny straw sucking from a near-empty soda can' sound gives me an insta-headache.
You may have gotten lucky and not actually drained your ABS module, but you should activate the ABS anyways to be sure. As guitman said, you should try to bleed the system until you have sufficient pressure that you are comfortable taking it out on the street, then take it to a safe location to engage ABS, then re-bleed the system. The easiest/lowest speed way to engage ABS is to overload the tires by turning hard and mashing the brakes at the same time. Obviously, engaging the ABS is inherently 'dangerous' in that you are attempting to break traction, so make sure you are in a clear/empty area, and have plenty of runoff. You'll feel a strong pulsing in the pedal once the ABS is engaged (don't mean to be patronizing, but some people don't know!).
To be on the safe side, I'd recommend re-adjusting your ebrake before you go out there. Never can be too careful haha
Good Luck!
You may have gotten lucky and not actually drained your ABS module, but you should activate the ABS anyways to be sure. As guitman said, you should try to bleed the system until you have sufficient pressure that you are comfortable taking it out on the street, then take it to a safe location to engage ABS, then re-bleed the system. The easiest/lowest speed way to engage ABS is to overload the tires by turning hard and mashing the brakes at the same time. Obviously, engaging the ABS is inherently 'dangerous' in that you are attempting to break traction, so make sure you are in a clear/empty area, and have plenty of runoff. You'll feel a strong pulsing in the pedal once the ABS is engaged (don't mean to be patronizing, but some people don't know!).
To be on the safe side, I'd recommend re-adjusting your ebrake before you go out there. Never can be too careful haha
Good Luck!
#8
New Member
Thread Starter
Thanks everyone! Couldn't get my hands on a Motive bleeder today, but one en-route from Amazon. Did a gravity bleed followed by some pedal bleeding. The pedal firmed up nicely. Topped it off and took it out. Brakes may have been slightly mushy, but that may be in my head. They function fine. Engaged the ABS 4-5 times.
Got back, and the reservoir was about 1/2 full. Couldn't see any leaks. Any idea where this fluid could have gone? I'm assuming some air in the master cylinder worked itself into the reservoir.
Thanks again for all the help everyone!
Got back, and the reservoir was about 1/2 full. Couldn't see any leaks. Any idea where this fluid could have gone? I'm assuming some air in the master cylinder worked itself into the reservoir.
Thanks again for all the help everyone!
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guitman32 (06-16-2018)
#9
Registered User
Sounds like you did have air in the ABS module. When you engaged the abs, that air was pushed into the lines and compressed, and as you let off the brakes, fluid was pulled from the res to take up that space. Rebleed the brakes and you're good to go. If you need to drive the car, bleed them asap, do not wait for the new bleeder.
Last edited by SpartaEvolution; 06-15-2018 at 07:57 PM.
#10
New Member
This. This is the only way you're going to get your OEM system to bleed properly. Covered in dozens of threads. You need to positive pressure bleed these cars. Anything else is misinformation.
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zakmartin (06-18-2018)
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