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Brake fluid empty...clutch bleed?

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Ooch
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Brake fluid empty...clutch bleed?

Post by Ooch » Fri Aug 29, 2014 8:00 am

Does the clutch have to be bled when replacing brake fluid?
No fluid in reservoir as ABS pump is being repaired.
I want to be able to get enough brakes/clutch to get to local dealer for Proper bleed using correct software etc. I have a pressure bleeder.

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Re: Brake fluid empty...clutch bleed?

Post by pvr » Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:54 am

The reservoir contains two parts, one for brake, one for clutch. If you do not touch the clutch it will not be needed to be bled.

I spent an hour bleeding the clutch after replacing a CDV until I discovered that the compartment consisted of two parts and the clutch part was empty (but brake part was full :headbang: ).
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Re: Brake fluid empty...clutch bleed?

Post by simonlpearce » Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:13 am

If you have a soft pedal, just go out and stomp on the brakes a few times to activate the ABS. This will release all the air in the system so you can then re-bleed it. No need for expensive trips to the dealer :thumbsup:
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Re: Brake fluid empty...clutch bleed?

Post by MotorcyclesFish » Sat Aug 30, 2014 11:01 pm

I can't tell if the above is excellent advice or an attempt to get cheap Z4 parts onto the market.
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Re: Brake fluid empty...clutch bleed?

Post by simonlpearce » Sun Aug 31, 2014 8:17 am

The former. Obviously your going to do it in a safe environment where you know you have plenty of stopping distance and no other cars about.
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Re: Brake fluid empty...clutch bleed?

Post by DR-Z » Sun Aug 31, 2014 3:01 pm

No need to use software to bleed the system. Just use the old-fashioned method of getting someone to pump the air out until the pedal's firm. Presumably you only emptied the reservoir via one caliper (FR), so the other lines will still be full of fluid. Bleeding should only take a few minutes.
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Re: Brake fluid empty...clutch bleed?

Post by fixit man » Sun Aug 31, 2014 3:16 pm

simonlpearce wrote:If you have a soft pedal, just go out and stomp on the brakes a few times to activate the ABS. This will release all the air in the system so you can then re-bleed it. No need for expensive trips to the dealer :thumbsup:
How does the air get out without brake fluid coming out ? really curious about this method of bleeding brakes ?

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Re: Brake fluid empty...clutch bleed?

Post by simonlpearce » Sun Aug 31, 2014 7:53 pm

You still have to bleed the brakes as normal. The problem if you let the fluid run too low/dry is that air gets in the ABS system and the only way to get it out is by activating the abs module, either by using a computer or as I said get it to kick in with some heavy braking.

Pressure bleeders are great if your replacing fluid but not so great if the system is dry.

Hope that helps.
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Re: Brake fluid empty...clutch bleed?

Post by fixit man » Mon Sep 01, 2014 4:13 pm

simonlpearce wrote:You still have to bleed the brakes as normal. The problem if you let the fluid run too low/dry is that air gets in the ABS system and the only way to get it out is by activating the abs module, either by using a computer or as I said get it to kick in with some heavy braking.

Pressure bleeders are great if your replacing fluid but not so great if the system is dry.

Hope that helps.
Yes clear now ! Not bleeding the brakes, just moving trapped air so it can be bled properly ! Thanks

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