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TR6 Replacing old brake fluid and bleeding brakes

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Gliderman8

Gliderman8

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I am getting ready to drain and replace the brake fluid in my TR6 as it hasn't been done in a long time.
What is the best method of getting all of the old fluid out of the master and the brake lines?
After all the old fluid is out I will add fresh fluid and bleed.
Will it be a problem if the master is completely drained before I refill?
 
Elliot - a thought: what type of fluid is in the system now? (have to be careful of mixing synthetic, part-synthetic, standard, etc.) Might need a full flush after draining, not just a refill.
 
NutmegCT said:
Elliot - a thought: what type of fluid is in the system now? (have to be careful of mixing synthetic, part-synthetic, standard, etc.) Might need a full flush after draining, not just a refill.
Click to expand...
I presently have Dot 3/4 and I'm replacing with the same. I just want to clean out the old fluid and replace with fresh fluid.
 
Hamish Racing said:
Bleed until you see the colour change on each wheel.
Don’t let the master cylinder run dry.

I draw out the old fluid in the master with an old syringe and top up with fresh - saves drawing the old fluid through the system.

I’d also do the clutch whilst you’re at it.
Click to expand...
Thanks Hamish!
 
When I do that procedure I use a (my) turkey baster and withdraw nearly all the fluid in the reservoir..Starting at the bottom. Then I begin the refilling/bleeding process
I don't see any use in sending the old stuff that's in the reservoir thru the system.
 
Same. I remove as much of the old fluid from the MC first, refill with new, bleed several times until new fluid expelled from the other end. Do it every two year religiously.

Start with furtherst to closest brake. RR, LR, RF, LF (left hand drive car). Then cycle a second time.

Bob
 
poolboy said:
When I do that procedure I use a (my) turkey baster and withdraw nearly all the fluid in the reservoir..Starting at the bottom. Then I begin the refilling/bleeding process
I don't see any use in sending the old stuff that's in the reservoir thru the system.
Click to expand...
OK, so that is exactly what I did..... remove as much fluid from the master with a turkey baster and then I filled up the reservoir with fresh fluid.
I started at the right rear but when I have someone press on the brake pedal I don't get fluid out of the bleeder valve.
Why?
 
You didn't even get any of the residual fluid squirt out the bleeder ?
 
poolboy said:
You didn't even get any of the residual fluid squirt out the bleeder ?
Click to expand...
Yes, I got fluid from right rear and closed valve when air bubbles stopped. I then proceeded to left rear and was unable to get any fluid so I closed the left rear bleeder and went back to the right rear and this time I was unable to get any fluid out when opening the bleeder valve.
 
I don't know, Elliot...maybe there's a blockage or a whole lot of air in the lines.
Is the brake pedal going to the floor ?
And here's what happened to one fellow, his helper was pushing the clutch pedal..not the brake..
 
poolboy said:
I don't know, Elliot...maybe there's a blockage or a whole lot of air in the lines.
Is the brake pedal going to the floor ?
And here's what happened to one fellow, his helper was pushing the clutch pedal..not the brake..
Click to expand...
Yes, pedal is going to floor. And I made sure my wife was indeed pushing on the brake pedal (I checked :smile:).
 
If you close all the bleeders, does the pedal firm up after a little pumping ?
 
You probably don't need to be reminded, but you know the reservoir is compartmentalized
The small compartment is for the rear brakes...there's fluid in it, right ?
 
poolboy said:
You probably don't need to be reminded, but you know the reservoir is compartmentalized
The small compartment is for the rear brakes...there's fluid in it, right ?
Click to expand...
Yes, I do know it’s compartmentalized and made sure both were filled.
poolboy said:
If you close all the bleeders, does the pedal firm up after a little pumping ?
Click to expand...
That I don’t know. I’m done for tonight. Tomorrow I will try pumping them up to seem if it firms up.

Also, I’m going to check the bleeder valves for any blockage.
Will report back tomorrow when I know more.
Thank you, thank you for your assistance.
 
No joy….. could not get fluid to either rear bleeder valve. I disconnected the pipes at the master and installed some tubes going back into the reservoir. There is no fluid coming out of those tubes when brake pedal is pumped.
No fluid out of the master means no fluid to the bleeder valves.
 
Was there any special reason why you wanted to replace the fluid, Elliot..any problem that might be related to this situation ?
 
poolboy said:
Was there any special reason why you wanted to replace the fluid, Elliot..any problem that might be related to this situation ?
Click to expand...
No reason other than it was old and getting dark.... no other reason
 
Maybe try this:
Put the brake lines back on the master cylinder and have someone pump the brake pedal while you observe the fluid in the reservoir. Do you see air bubbles or notice the level changing while the pumping is going on ?
 
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