Amount of Brake Fluid?

[Aldwyn]

Hey guys... quick question!

Going to be doing front and rear bakes this weekend, but I haven't been able to find info anywhere on how much brake fluid the TR6 uses!

So when I bleed... how much should I expect to use? How much am I looking at buying?

Thanks!
Aldwyn

 

[Andrew Mace]

Aldwyn, I'd have at least one fresh quart on hand.

 

[PeterK]

It depends on how you're bleeding and if you're going to change/flush all the fluid.

For a normal bleeding, you will need at least two cans of fluid. If you are flushing the lines, count on three. A lot of fluid will be lost from the bleeding so it's hard to guess the amount because it depends on how quickly you get the air out of the lines.

Remember that brake fluid is hydroscopic - it absorbs moisture from the air. So once the can is opened, you need to use it soon or it will cloud and should not be used. I keep old fluid around for assembly and lubrication of brake parts. I also mark the date I open each can.

If you plan on using a pressure bleeder like a Motive, it takes a lot more fluid to fill the tank for bleeding, so buy a quart and a couple of cans. But don't open any fluid until you need it.

The Motive is great for bleeding but it cost in fluid.

 

[RonMacPherson]

hyGroscopic, Please, not hydroscopic. hydroscopic means it is made with water. hyGroscopic means it absorbs water.

Go with two of the small bottles. Open one at a time. Flush the rear first, If you have an eezbleed it might help, otherwise two people, the plastic hose on the nipple to the bottle, three slooooow strokes, then holding, till all the way to the floor. Work out some code with your pedal pumper. Might want to get up into the pedal bushings and make sure they've got some kind of spray lube on them. That would also be agood time to check if you've got brake fluid dripping down the linkage from either master cylinder.

Reason why small bottles is because after you open the bottle, the fluid inside it will abosrb moisture, being hyGroscopic. In spite of the improvement to plastic containers it is still a matter of time before humidity, condensation, enter and contaminate the fluid in the bottle. So that way you don't have to discard more fluid than needed.

 

[Tinster]

And don't forget that extra half pint of brake fluid
you need to spill on the garage floor under your car.

One must make a sacrifice to the gods of TR seals
and gaskets.

d /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/yesnod.gif

 

[Tinster]

And don't forget that extra half pint of brake fluid
you need to spill on the garage floor under your car.

One must make a sacrifice to the gods of TR seals
and gaskets.

d /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/yesnod.gif

 

[PeterK]

hyGroscopic, hyGroscopic, hyGroscopic

Ok I got it now, thanks. It will absorb water from the air when opened. hyGgggrrrroscopic /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

 

[Aldwyn]

Thanks gents!

I do plan on replacing all of the fluid, as the current stuff looks like rusty water, and I want it all out of there.

I will be getting help from forum member philknight, so I wont be alone in the bleeding proceess, but may bring along my bleed bottle, just in case!

Thanks again!
Aldwyn

 

[RonMacPherson]

Also, might help to remove the reservoir from the cylinder(if you've got replacement rubber seals where the reservoir mounts) to clean the reservoir insides good. Use BrakeKleen or denatured alcohol, a couple of long qtips(the kind you get at stereo stores or radio shack, for cleaning tape heads) with air rinse(all else fails a hair dryer on low heat).

 

[Andrew Mace]

Good idea, Ron. I've also found that liquid automatic dishwasher detergent helps clean up the plastic reservoirs nicely. Maybe not quite as "white" as a new one, but reasonably close!