Bleeding brakes = defeat
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: East Hampton CT
Bleeding brakes = defeat
Best I can figure it, I've got air in the ABS system. With the help of a friend, I bleed the brake again using the manual method described in the manual. Push the brake pedal down once and hold. Open the bleeder screw and let fluid (and air) out. Close bleeder screw. Release brakes. After going around the car twice, the brake pedal is still spongy. This is why I believe there is air in the ABS system.
Does anyone have a Tech II tool in central CT they would let me borrow? Or could someone recommend a good dealer/mechanic?
Also, I've look all over the manuals but I can't find a description for the other reservoir near main reservoir sitting on top of master cylinder. Is this for the ABS system? How do you flush out the fluid from this reservoir?
Does anyone have a Tech II tool in central CT they would let me borrow? Or could someone recommend a good dealer/mechanic?
Also, I've look all over the manuals but I can't find a description for the other reservoir near main reservoir sitting on top of master cylinder. Is this for the ABS system? How do you flush out the fluid from this reservoir?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 36,453
Likes: 2
From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
The other reservoir (round top) is the clutch hydraulics.
When you're bleeding the brakes, do you get any air, or is it all fluid? Is the fluid clean?
You can get air into the ABS system if you bleed the brakes out enough so that the reservior goes dry. Did this happen?
Dumb question: you did remove the reservior lid during the bleeding process, correct?
When you're bleeding the brakes, do you get any air, or is it all fluid? Is the fluid clean?
You can get air into the ABS system if you bleed the brakes out enough so that the reservior goes dry. Did this happen?
Dumb question: you did remove the reservior lid during the bleeding process, correct?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: East Hampton CT
Originally Posted by Umrswimr
The other reservoir (round top) is the clutch hydraulics.
When you're bleeding the brakes, do you get any air, or is it all fluid? Is the fluid clean?
You can get air into the ABS system if you bleed the brakes out enough so that the reservior goes dry. Did this happen?
Dumb question: you did remove the reservior lid during the bleeding process, correct?
When you're bleeding the brakes, do you get any air, or is it all fluid? Is the fluid clean?
You can get air into the ABS system if you bleed the brakes out enough so that the reservior goes dry. Did this happen?
Dumb question: you did remove the reservior lid during the bleeding process, correct?
My buddy and I manually bleed the brakes with the reservoir lid in place. Is this not correct?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 554
Likes: 0
id have to look closer but did you get both sides of the calipers? chances are you did not get any air in with what you did, basting.
as long as you didnt pump the pedal when it was mt ish.
and use a lot of leg when bleeding, your trying to "pump" the air out.
don
as long as you didnt pump the pedal when it was mt ish.
and use a lot of leg when bleeding, your trying to "pump" the air out.
don
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by HeadsUp
Best I can figure it, I've got air in the ABS system. With the help of a friend, I bleed the brake again using the manual method described in the manual. Push the brake pedal down once and hold. Open the bleeder screw and let fluid (and air) out. Close bleeder screw. Release brakes. After going around the car twice, the brake pedal is still spongy. This is why I believe there is air in the ABS system.
Does anyone have a Tech II tool in central CT they would let me borrow? Or could someone recommend a good dealer/mechanic?
Also, I've look all over the manuals but I can't find a description for the other reservoir near main reservoir sitting on top of master cylinder. Is this for the ABS system? How do you flush out the fluid from this reservoir?
Does anyone have a Tech II tool in central CT they would let me borrow? Or could someone recommend a good dealer/mechanic?
Also, I've look all over the manuals but I can't find a description for the other reservoir near main reservoir sitting on top of master cylinder. Is this for the ABS system? How do you flush out the fluid from this reservoir?
Also, I find it is, almost, impossible to get the pumping and opening and closing of the bleeder valve really co ordinated. You actually want to be closing the valve when the brake is still moving towards the end of the stroke. One of the things you can do to make this less critical is make sure the bleeder hose is always in a couple on inches of brake fluid at the bottom of your catch bottle. This will make sure you are not sucking air back in. I doubt if your ABS has air as you really have to have the resovoir empty and then have several brake strokes.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 341
Likes: 4
From: Dallas Tx
Start at the wheel closest to the master cylinder, then the next closest etc... Stay at each wheel until the fluid does not have any more air, then move on. So you will have to pump and hold a whole bunch. Eventually you will get some pedal, then brakes.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by 03SpiralGray
Start at the wheel closest to the master cylinder, then the next closest etc... Stay at each wheel until the fluid does not have any more air, then move on. So you will have to pump and hold a whole bunch. Eventually you will get some pedal, then brakes.
Don't you mean start at the wheel futherest away?
And that was only true of cars from 97 through 2000.
From 2001 and on C5s have electronic proportioning and the sequence is diagonal. RR LF LR RF.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: East Hampton CT
Originally Posted by Richin Chicago
Don't you mean start at the wheel futherest away?
And that was only true of cars from 97 through 2000.
From 2001 and on C5s have electronic proportioning and the sequence is diagonal. RR LF LR RF.
And that was only true of cars from 97 through 2000.
From 2001 and on C5s have electronic proportioning and the sequence is diagonal. RR LF LR RF.
Initially when I started this whole mess, I used the turkey baster to remove the old fluid. I then attached a power bleeder and pumped up the system to verify I had no leaks. This is when I think I pumped air into the ABS. I'm no professional, so I'm guessing here.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 7,393
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles CA
Originally Posted by HeadsUp
Initially when I started this whole mess, I used the turkey baster to remove the old fluid. I then attached a power bleeder and pumped up the system to verify I had no leaks. This is when I think I pumped air into the ABS.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 36,453
Likes: 2
From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by allanlaw
I'll say. The mystery is solved. Never leave the reservoir empty when you start putting pressure in the system.
That looks like it could have caused your problem. I believe you'll have to take it to the dealer to get it fixed...
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 341
Likes: 4
From: Dallas Tx
Originally Posted by Richin Chicago
Don't you mean start at the wheel futherest away?
.
.
No, start at the one closest to the master cylinder. If you start at the one furthest away you are going to be there for a long time.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by 03SpiralGray
No, start at the one closest to the master cylinder. If you start at the one furthest away you are going to be there for a long time.
3.3. If it is necessary to bleed all of the brake calipers, the following sequence should be used:
3.3.1. Right rear
3.3.2. Left rear
3.3.3. Right front
3.3.4. Left front
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 36,453
Likes: 2
From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Richin Chicago
From the 2000 C5 service manual:
3.3. If it is necessary to bleed all of the brake calipers, the following sequence should be used:
3.3.1. Right rear
3.3.2. Left rear
3.3.3. Right front
3.3.4. Left front
3.3. If it is necessary to bleed all of the brake calipers, the following sequence should be used:
3.3.1. Right rear
3.3.2. Left rear
3.3.3. Right front
3.3.4. Left front
