Help!! Bleeding brakes
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Valencia PA
Help!! Bleeding brakes
I have a 95 base cpe w/ 6spd. I keepn bleeding the brakes a nd get a really great pedal. After a week or so of driving I get air back in the system somehow. I have checked and rechecked every connection for tightness and there are no fluid leaks anywhere. I also seem to notice that I am getting very tiny bubbles (tip of a pin). Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
Does the fluid level drop?
When you re-bleed how much bleeding do you have to do before you see the tiny bubbles?
If you're doing any of the solo bleeding methods then be sure that the bleeder screw threads are wrapped in teflon tape.
When you re-bleed how much bleeding do you have to do before you see the tiny bubbles?
If you're doing any of the solo bleeding methods then be sure that the bleeder screw threads are wrapped in teflon tape.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Valencia PA
yes the fluid goes down.
I see the bubbles pretty quickly. I did about 20+ pumps last night and saw them the entire time although they did seem to get a little less.
I gave up on trying to use the vacuum pumps and self bleed screws.
I see the bubbles pretty quickly. I did about 20+ pumps last night and saw them the entire time although they did seem to get a little less.
I gave up on trying to use the vacuum pumps and self bleed screws.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
Ok this will sound silly. But if the level goes down then where is the fluid going but out of the system somewhere?
Would you be willing to clean the flex hoses and wrap them in toilet paper? If so then you could pump up the brake and wedge something between the seat and brake pedal to hold it at pressure over night. Any damage to the TP and you know where the leak is.
Also, did you open the ASR/ABS hatch and peek inside?
Another less obvious spot is the grommets between the resivoir and the MC.
Would you be willing to clean the flex hoses and wrap them in toilet paper? If so then you could pump up the brake and wedge something between the seat and brake pedal to hold it at pressure over night. Any damage to the TP and you know where the leak is.
Also, did you open the ASR/ABS hatch and peek inside?
Another less obvious spot is the grommets between the resivoir and the MC.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 639
Likes: 1
From: Brookfield CT NCM#522998
I like the tp idea, you've obvioulsy got a small crack in a line somewhere; not big enough to blow out (yet), but big enough to suck in some air and let out some fluid. Another place I would look is to wipe a paper towl under the resevior; I had a small leak in an oring there and the fluid has so much 'stuff' to drip on under the resevior that it wasn't puddling anywhere; when I was cleaning under the hood I wiped a towel under the resevior and it was wet with fluid.
Last edited by flynn508; Jul 16, 2009 at 11:13 AM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Valencia PA
Sorry silly me. The fluid goes down when I am bleeding them (obviously), but it does not seem to change as if it were leaking.
Holding the pedal overnight might be an idea. It just seems like there is air getting in, but no fluid coming out. I would think this would be possible since air should be thinner than brake fluid. I have looked at the ABS module and tightened every fitting, although nothing seemed loose.
Holding the pedal overnight might be an idea. It just seems like there is air getting in, but no fluid coming out. I would think this would be possible since air should be thinner than brake fluid. I have looked at the ABS module and tightened every fitting, although nothing seemed loose.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Valencia PA
I haven't looked between the MC and the Booster. I might have to look there. I have already replaced the MC cap, MC O-rings, and the flex lines to the calipers. I have been dealing with this since I got it about 4+ years ago. I have looked and looked and checked fittings, but I can never find any fluid. The only thing I have not done is have someone cycle the valves in the ABS unit, but I know it has been triggered during driving.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
How Likely Are These Five 2027 Corvette Rumors to Be True?
Brett Foote
9 Best Corvettes You Can Buy for Half Price (& 1 You Should NEVER Buy!)
Joe Kucinski
8 Very Best Corvettes of Amelia Island 2026
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 WORST Corvette Engineering Failures of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
10 Records the C8 Corvette Generation Has SMASHED (& 1 Glaring Failure)
Joe Kucinski
7 Wildest Corvette Concepts Ever Made
Brett Foote
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Valencia PA
Yeah, it baffles me too that I get air in, but do not see fluid coming out.
I went out at lunch and looked at the back of the MC. Without taking it off, it looks dry. What I did notice was a little crack in the brake switch. I am going to get one and see. If anyone has any other ideas, please feel free.
Thanks
I went out at lunch and looked at the back of the MC. Without taking it off, it looks dry. What I did notice was a little crack in the brake switch. I am going to get one and see. If anyone has any other ideas, please feel free.
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
If the back is dry or lower than the front and they started out equal, it's probably pushing fluid to the front. Eventually, it pops the front cap. That usually means new seals or a new master.
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Do not use Teflon on bleeder screws these are not pipe thread seals they are angled pin and seat Teflon would be useless and may cause to leak. Teflon and sealant is only used on pipe thread type seal. Use nothing on jic, oring or needle and pin seat. Make sure they are clean and not damaged though.
Last edited by Ray Martinez; Feb 14, 2020 at 10:29 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 241
I know you mentioned that you’ve tried a vacuum bleeder but have you tried a pneumatic vac bleeder? I have the below one and it has been excellent. I’ve used it on clutches and brakes with great success.
8milelake Pneumatic Brake Fluid Bleeder Tool with 4 Master Cylinder Adapters 90-120 PSI
8milelake Pneumatic Brake Fluid Bleeder Tool with 4 Master Cylinder Adapters 90-120 PSI
