Brake Fluid
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From: Colorado
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How low is it? If it is very low, there could be a reason it is low. It should be plainly between the MIN and MAX lines, that is not something you want to have "topped up" until it is full, it leaves no room for expansion, and will overflow into the front trunk compartment.
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 457
From: hawaii
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I'm having my brake calipers painted at Fast Forward Wheels (one of our sponsors for 6sp). When the tech took apart the calipers today, we lost some brake fluid, maybe half a quart. That is why i need to top it off later when calipers come in. I can't buy porsche oem brake fluid here. Can i just top it off with dot 4 generic fluid? Or do i really need to use porsche fluid? If so, will online shops ship brake fluids? I'm in hawaii. thanks
How low is it? If it is very low, there could be a reason it is low. It should be plainly between the MIN and MAX lines, that is not something you want to have "topped up" until it is full, it leaves no room for expansion, and will overflow into the front trunk compartment.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 49
From: San Diego
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I think the entire system holds less than a quart. I flushed mine and a buddy's brakes both on the same day with 2 liters of ATE super blue. If I were you I would just go ahead and flush the whole system with new fluid - the cost of the fluid is minimal compared the amount of time you are going to spend and the consequences of getting it wrong. I doubt you'll ever get all the air out by just topping off. If I recall I got my fluid from Suncoast (a site sponsor). I'm sure they will ship it to you in Hawaii. The blue fluid is nice because you will see the color change when all of the old fluid is out; so you don't waste any new fluid.
Last edited by aintpatricksday; Feb 25, 2009 at 08:33 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: San Diego
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It takes less than an hour with the Motive Power bleeder, maybe 1-1/2 hrs if you do the clutch too. You can find this item online at several places. I use the black label one as it has a little bit nicer fitting to screw on to the master cylinder.
Step 1: Basically you empty as much original fluid from the master cylinder as you can with a turkey baster, or I use a pump out of an old softsoap dispenser and carefully pump it into a plastic coke bottle. But first you need to remove the little screen that is in there - this is PITA #1. I use a small pair of needle nose pliers, and you turn it a certain way and it pops out - you have to be fairly forceful to get it to come out and it wants to splash fluid when it pops out. I advise covering any painted surface within range with some plastic.
Step 2: Pour your new brake fluid into the Motive power bleeder and close the lid -- then attach the fitting to the master cylinder. It just screws on there with a little rubber gasket to seal it. Pump the bleeder up to just under 20 psi. Make sure there are no leaks.
Step 3: Jack up the right rear of the car, remove the wheel, and attach about a 2' length of clear plastic tubing to the little niple on the outside caliper, put the other end in an empty coke bottle, then loosen the screw a little bit until the fluid starts to flow. When the fluid changes color, close the screw - careful not to overtighten you can strip the threads - just snug plus maybe 1/16th of a turn more. Repeat for the niple on the inside caliper. Then move and do the same for the left rear, right front then left front in that order. You can optionally bleed the clutch at the same time after doing the left rear. This is PITA #2 and is best if you have 2 people. I'm PM ing you with some more detailed info on this. Be safe and always use jack stands.
Step 4: When you are done you loosen up the lid on the power bleeder to release the pressure, then remove it from the master cylinder. Add or remove fluid from the reservoir to get the right level. Put the screen back in and replace the lid. Check the brakes to make sure they are working before driving off! Keep an eye out for leaks and check the level again after driving the car a while.
You can do this whole process without the power bleeder but you need 2 people - one to pump the brakes while you bleed the fluid, oh and someone to watch that the master cylinder doesn't go empty.
Good luck
PM sent
Step 1: Basically you empty as much original fluid from the master cylinder as you can with a turkey baster, or I use a pump out of an old softsoap dispenser and carefully pump it into a plastic coke bottle. But first you need to remove the little screen that is in there - this is PITA #1. I use a small pair of needle nose pliers, and you turn it a certain way and it pops out - you have to be fairly forceful to get it to come out and it wants to splash fluid when it pops out. I advise covering any painted surface within range with some plastic.
Step 2: Pour your new brake fluid into the Motive power bleeder and close the lid -- then attach the fitting to the master cylinder. It just screws on there with a little rubber gasket to seal it. Pump the bleeder up to just under 20 psi. Make sure there are no leaks.
Step 3: Jack up the right rear of the car, remove the wheel, and attach about a 2' length of clear plastic tubing to the little niple on the outside caliper, put the other end in an empty coke bottle, then loosen the screw a little bit until the fluid starts to flow. When the fluid changes color, close the screw - careful not to overtighten you can strip the threads - just snug plus maybe 1/16th of a turn more. Repeat for the niple on the inside caliper. Then move and do the same for the left rear, right front then left front in that order. You can optionally bleed the clutch at the same time after doing the left rear. This is PITA #2 and is best if you have 2 people. I'm PM ing you with some more detailed info on this. Be safe and always use jack stands.
Step 4: When you are done you loosen up the lid on the power bleeder to release the pressure, then remove it from the master cylinder. Add or remove fluid from the reservoir to get the right level. Put the screen back in and replace the lid. Check the brakes to make sure they are working before driving off! Keep an eye out for leaks and check the level again after driving the car a while.
You can do this whole process without the power bleeder but you need 2 people - one to pump the brakes while you bleed the fluid, oh and someone to watch that the master cylinder doesn't go empty.
Good luck
PM sent
Last edited by aintpatricksday; Feb 25, 2009 at 11:26 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 814
From: Chicago IL
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It takes less than an hour with the Motive Power bleeder, maybe 1-1/2 hrs if you do the clutch too. You can find this item online at several places. I use the black label one as it has a little bit nicer fitting to screw on to the master cylinder.
Step 1: Basically you empty as much original fluid from the master cylinder as you can with a turkey baster, or I use a pump out of an old softsoap dispenser and carefully pump it into a plastic coke bottle. But first you need to remove the little screen that is in there - this is PITA #1. I use a small pair of needle nose pliers, and you turn it a certain way and it pops out - you have to be fairly forceful to get it to come out and it wants to splash fluid when it pops out. I advise covering any painted surface within range with some plastic.
Step 2: Pour your new brake fluid into the Motive power bleeder and close the lid -- then attach the fitting to the master cylinder. It just screws on there with a little rubber gasket to seal it. Pump the bleeder up to just under 20 psi. Make sure there are no leaks.
Step 3: Jack up the right rear of the car, remove the wheel, and attach about a 2' length of clear plastic tubing to the little niple on the outside caliper, put the other end in an empty coke bottle, then loosen the screw a little bit until the fluid starts to flow. When the fluid changes color, close the screw - careful not to overtighten you can strip the threads - just snug plus maybe 1/16th of a turn more. Repeat for the niple on the inside caliper. Then move and do the same for the left rear, right front then left front in that order. You can optionally bleed the clutch at the same time after doing the left rear. This is PITA #2 and is best if you have 2 people. I'm PM ing you with some more detailed info on this. Be safe and always use jack stands.
Step 4: When you are done you loosen up the lid on the power bleeder to release the pressure, then remove it from the master cylinder. Add or remove fluid from the reservoir to get the right level. Put the screen back in and replace the lid. Check the brakes to make sure they are working before driving off! Keep an eye out for leaks and check the level again after driving the car a while.
You can do this whole process without the power bleeder but you need 2 people - one to pump the brakes while you bleed the fluid, oh and someone to watch that the master cylinder doesn't go empty.
Good luck
PM sent
Step 1: Basically you empty as much original fluid from the master cylinder as you can with a turkey baster, or I use a pump out of an old softsoap dispenser and carefully pump it into a plastic coke bottle. But first you need to remove the little screen that is in there - this is PITA #1. I use a small pair of needle nose pliers, and you turn it a certain way and it pops out - you have to be fairly forceful to get it to come out and it wants to splash fluid when it pops out. I advise covering any painted surface within range with some plastic.
Step 2: Pour your new brake fluid into the Motive power bleeder and close the lid -- then attach the fitting to the master cylinder. It just screws on there with a little rubber gasket to seal it. Pump the bleeder up to just under 20 psi. Make sure there are no leaks.
Step 3: Jack up the right rear of the car, remove the wheel, and attach about a 2' length of clear plastic tubing to the little niple on the outside caliper, put the other end in an empty coke bottle, then loosen the screw a little bit until the fluid starts to flow. When the fluid changes color, close the screw - careful not to overtighten you can strip the threads - just snug plus maybe 1/16th of a turn more. Repeat for the niple on the inside caliper. Then move and do the same for the left rear, right front then left front in that order. You can optionally bleed the clutch at the same time after doing the left rear. This is PITA #2 and is best if you have 2 people. I'm PM ing you with some more detailed info on this. Be safe and always use jack stands.
Step 4: When you are done you loosen up the lid on the power bleeder to release the pressure, then remove it from the master cylinder. Add or remove fluid from the reservoir to get the right level. Put the screen back in and replace the lid. Check the brakes to make sure they are working before driving off! Keep an eye out for leaks and check the level again after driving the car a while.
You can do this whole process without the power bleeder but you need 2 people - one to pump the brakes while you bleed the fluid, oh and someone to watch that the master cylinder doesn't go empty.
Good luck
PM sent
Thanks
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 814
From: Chicago IL
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Thanks so much! Sorry for so many questions but twe more 
1. Which Motive bleeder do you guys recommend? I heard this one was good:
http://www.amazon.com/Motive-Product.../dp/B000Q6SL2W
2. How often does clutch needs to be flushed? My car is barely 2 yrs old with 7k miles. Never been tracked etc.
1. Which Motive bleeder do you guys recommend? I heard this one was good:
http://www.amazon.com/Motive-Product.../dp/B000Q6SL2W
2. How often does clutch needs to be flushed? My car is barely 2 yrs old with 7k miles. Never been tracked etc.
Last edited by sbkim; Oct 25, 2010 at 09:07 AM.
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Posts: 3,800
From: Tampa
Rep Power: 234
Get the Motive bleeder with the metal cap.
Also there should be no need to top off brake fluid...if you are finding yourself needing to do this them you have a brake fluid leak and air is getting in the system.
Also there should be no need to top off brake fluid...if you are finding yourself needing to do this them you have a brake fluid leak and air is getting in the system.
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