Brake Fluid

[Hungry Horace]

I have 2005 vRS and want to do a complete brake fluid change.

Can someone tell me if its Dot4 fluid I need and roughly how much would I need to do a full change.

Thanks

[KenONeill]

DOT 4, about 1l plus extra for bleeding, a vacumn bleeder or low-pressure pressure bleeder, and VCDS.

[Hungry Horace]

Thanks for the info. Why would I need VCDS?

Thanks again.

[hussarman]

Thanks for the info. Why would I need VCDS?

Thanks again.

Indeed, What is VCDS?

[Huxley vRS]

vcds is vagcom, not sure what its needed for tho

[gac]

You need it to bleed the ABS pump properly.

[djdazzy]

You need it to bleed the ABS pump properly.

Any idea what you need to do with vagcom to bleed the ABS pump then please?

[gac]

Nope, I've never bled my own brake fluid, there'll be loads of stuff available via Google though.

[martinch]

From this thread here (and Ross-Tech) you only need to use VCDS if your ABS pump is totally dry: http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/152533-bleeding-brakes/

[anewman]

Would a Gunson Eezibleed work? As that tops up the fluid (so long as you top up fluid in the eezibleed's tank) you should have no issues with ABS. Also no issues with potentially knackering the master cylinder seals due to pushing the pedal past normal travel. Been planning to do mine a while and was going to use the Eezibleed.

[Fred44]

As stated you only need vagcom from a dry situation.

When using something like the Gunsons dont go over 16 PSI on these cars or you will have issues.

[Guest BigJase88]

i used a flexi hose that fitted the bleed nipple and an empty bottle of coke and a lump of wood under the brake pedal so i didnt screw the seals on the master cylinder, proper pikey haha

Edited 5 October, 2011 by BigJase88

[giandougl]

Give all 4 wheels a few pumps on the brake pedal, or/ until fluid runs clear, then nip bleed nipple up (but not too tight)

Brake fluid DOT 4 as other members agree, 1 Litre (about £5.00) should be more than enough ( if system has been bled every 2 year period).

[Guest BigJase88]

Yeah but only press brake pedal half way down

[Ian M]

Yeah but only press brake pedal half way down

What's wrong with using the 2-man 'basic' method (apart from having to have 2 people, that is)?

Why shouldn't you press the pedal fully if all the piston is doing is pushing fluid out in the right direction?

I've always bled my brakes on the vRS (and all the other cars I've owned over the years - most with ABS) and never had a problem.

Am I just lucky?

[Guest BigJase88]

Hey dont shoot the messenger

I have been told on here that it can knacker the seals in the master cylinder.....

Pretty sure someone will be along to confirm this

(p.s i put the pedal to the floor too but got a telling off )

[Ian M]

Hey dont shoot the messenger

Sorry if that came over a bit heavy - query was addressed to all, just chose your post to hang it on!

[Tech1e]

Yes, if the master cylinder moves more than it's regular travel which it will it can damage seals due to wear.

A gunsons EZ bleed will avoid all this.

[giandougl]

Yes, if the master cylinder moves more than it's regular travel which it will it can damage seals due to wear.

A gunsons EZ bleed will avoid all this.

Have bled mine twice in four years, with a two person team, no problem yet.

You can hardly damage the seals through wear, given its only done once every two years??

If damage through wear were to take place it would happen earlier with the seals given the times the foot-brake is used each time car is driven.

[anewman]

I believe the concept is.... You use the brakes normally and the pedal will only travel so far. The piston, therefore, never slides over part of the bore in normal use. This part of the bore can become slightly corroded/uneven, then when you bleed your brakes and slide your seals over this it introduces enough wear to cause leaks. I managed to do it to my Favorit when I bled the brakes on that.

[sepulchrave]

This is probably irrelevant since the master cylinder is thermoplastic, however I would strongly recommend an eezibleed since the ABS system can get airlocked remarkably easily.

[Tech1e]

And its only advice not law. for every bit of free advice you give someone having been in the trade for 20 years there is always someone who disagrees or argues it.

Feel free to take the advice or ignore it.