Flushing Brake Fluid

[Maximus Gladius]

Just flush with Isopropyl or some other alcohol? I would assume you want the 90% proof as no water should be in the system.

Costco was carrying the 99% stuff.

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[Maximus Gladius]

So, I’m going to be doing a flush in the spring or summer and I earlier asked how to get the screen out of the fill bottle to use a turkey baster to suck out debris in the bottle so it isn’t flushed through the lines and I realized that a turkey baster wouldn’t even reach all the nasty parts in that bottle ….then I saw this barbed end come out the bottom of the bottle. Is this where a hose line could be put on and the bottle flushed out?

 

[Hootbro]

So, I’m going to be doing a flush in the spring or summer and I earlier asked how to get the screen out of the fill bottle to use a turkey baster to suck out debris in the bottle so it isn’t flushed through the lines and I realized that a turkey baster wouldn’t even reach all the nasty parts in that bottle ….then I saw this barbed end come out the bottom of the bottle. Is this where a hose line could be put on and the bottle flushed out?

Need to leave that barbed end alone. Will create more problems if you break off that pinch seal.

 

[Charles 236]

The barbed outlet needs to be left closed off. It is an outlet for fluid feed to a clutch master cylinder in manual transmission applications. There really isn't a good way to seal it once it is opened. I remove the screen by using a pocket screwdriver and working around the edge. It takes patience, but it will come out.

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

As someone who has never flushed brake fluid in anything, what’s the recommended service interval on this?

Always figured it was a mixing thing, like, as long as events happen (bleeds, caliper changes, etc) that require pouring in new fluid I’d be good.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

As someone who has never flushed brake fluid in anything, what’s the recommended service interval on this?

Always figured it was a mixing thing, like, as long as events happen (bleeds, caliper changes, etc) that require pouring in new fluid I’d be good.

We were trained every two years. That's what the brake manufacturers still said last I looked.

 

[Rusty PW]

As someone who has never flushed brake fluid in anything, what’s the recommended service interval on this?

Always figured it was a mixing thing, like, as long as events happen (bleeds, caliper changes, etc) that require pouring in new fluid I’d be good.

You will find anywhere from 2 years to whatever. A lot depends on how you drive it. Water crossings, towing, hard use should have it done more often.

 

[WILDHOBO]

We were trained every two years. That's what the brake manufacturers still said last I looked.

Other than cleaning debris out of the reservoir, is the procedure just a long ass bleed, continuing to add liquid until it’s clear? I also haven’t done a flush before, but have bled them and added fluid when changing brake lines. Or do you open all four bleed valves and pump it through simultaneously? I also haven’t done a snap on vacuum bleeder if that helps do it well. Remember, no stupid questions. I ask before I do, which keeps me from jacking things up, most of the time at least.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You will find anywhere from 2 years to whatever. A lot depends on how you drive it. Water crossings, towing, hard use should have it done more often.

Heat and time are the problems. Time allows for absorbing moisture from the air, acids to form, and breakdown of the additives that prevent same, heat ruins fluid as well.

I go by what the people who engineer and manufacture the brake parts say - not the car's book.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Other than cleaning debris out of the reservoir, is the procedure just a long ass bleed, continuing to add liquid until it’s clear? I also haven’t done a flush before, but have bled them and added fluid when changing brake lines. Or do you open all four bleed valves and pump it through simultaneously? I also haven’t done a snap on vacuum bleeder if that helps do it well. Remember, no stupid questions. I ask before I do, which keeps me from jacking things up, most of the time at least.

LOL - really similar.
We used to say "start with the hydraulically most distant wheel".
We say it that way because the right rear wheel wasn't always the longest path from the master cylinder depending on the split of the system and where things connected in.
Today with ABS it's a lot different as there's no "common line" to an axle, so that goes out the door. The split is right up there in the engine bay - so it's a lot like a long-ass bleed.
I believe JSCAN, and I can't say for sure, but maybe even tazer, has an option for brake flushing.

 

[WILDHOBO]

LOL - really similar.
We used to say "start with the hydraulically most distant wheel".
We say it that way because the right rear wheel wasn't always the longest path from the master cylinder depending on the split of the system and where things connected in.
Today with ABS it's a lot different as there's no "common line" to an axle, so that goes out the door. The split is right up there in the engine bay - so it's a lot like a long-ass bleed.
I believe JSCAN, and I can't say for sure, but maybe even tazer, has an option for brake flushing.

I purchased a scanner that supposedly triggers an abs bleed for the gladiator, but I’ve never been successful. So I’ve done traditional vacuum bleeds, then drove the jeep and activated abs on slippery stuff, and then checked fluid again.

 

[Rusty PW]

Heat and time are the problems. Time allows for absorbing moisture from the air, acids to form, and breakdown of the additives that prevent same, heat ruins fluid as well.

I go by what the people who engineer and manufacture the brake parts say - not the car's book.

My Power Wagon, I used to do in the fall because the number of times it was in the water. My Nismo, I do every other trackday because of the heat the brakes generate. My calipers are slowly changing color. All my other vehicles is every 2 years. I also check my brake fluid with a tester.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My Power Wagon, I used to do in the fall because the number of times it was in the water. My Nismo, I do every other trackday because of the heat the brakes generate. My calipers are slowly changing color. All my other vehicles is every 2 years. I also check my brake fluid with a tester.

No one has to talk to you about heat, brakes and fluid - I've seen pics of your car and discussions of the brakes and so on.

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