Bleeding brakes / clutch spongey.

[aarsavage]

HELP. First time bleeding.

Just got my ABS pump back from ecutesting.

Fitted and bled the brakes with an easy bleed, used inpa to activate the pump to shake out the bubbles, and pumped the brakes 5 times after, on each corner.

Fluid ran clear with no bubbles but the pedal is still spongey, and the clutch pedal feels lighter than I remember. (Could be in my head, I can still select gears)

Reservoir never went dry, and I used just over a litre.

Could the reservoir being empty while the pump was away let air into the clutch lines? Would that effect the brake feel? Would air in the brake lines effect the clutch feel?

Is there something else I should have done? Read somewhere on here I should have put wood behind clutch pedal whilst bleeding?

Ran out of time tonight so will have to retry another night.

On the plus side, the error lights have gone

Any suggestions appreciated, Aaron.

[Silverzedtom]

Just sounds like you need to do another cycle to me.

What pressure were you using with the bleeder? I needed to increase from whatever it said I the instructions - think they’re probably being a bit over cautious.

I heard the clutch slave can be a bit of a pain with air on the e46, there are videos of how to get it out on YouTube, I’m sure I watched them for some reason or other

[aarsavage]

10 Psi as per instructions, said 20psi was the maximum.

I'll give the brake system another go at 15psi and cross my fingers its not the clutch.

Did you press the brake during or just let the bleeder push the air through?

[RJ237]

I always use 15 psi. Did you bleed the clutch slave?

[adam1985]

10 psi should be enough thats what i use. its possible there is air in the clutch line/slave cylinder.
With the easybleed its easy to bleed just hook it up and open the bleed valve on the slave cylinder which is under the car near the gearbox.
I didn't pump the pedals at all to bleed the clutch or brake lines after changing the abs unit.
Just give it another go with the easybleed

[Mike6]

If you are pumping the brakes when bleeding then presumably you are not using one of those newer bleeds which sucks the fluid out via the open bleed nipple. If you have the easybleed with the one way valve which does require you to pump the brakes after opening the nipple then it is possible the valve is not working sufficiently to prevent air from being sucked back after each pump. I appreciate its a bit belt and braces but I have a length of timber which I wedge between seat and fully pressed down peddle. I then tighten the bleed nipple before allowing the peddle to return. I have always found this to be a foolproof method.

[grumps]

When I did my ABS pump recently I followed the TIS instructions (34 51 527) and wedged the brake pedal down before I removed the pump. It stops the reservoir emptying while the pump is out.

[aarsavage]

Thanks for the replies fellas.

Had another go and it feels a lot better, but still doesn't feel quite right. The clutch however feels good now.

I'm possibly over thinking it.

It's booked in for its mot next week and I've asked them for a second opinion.

[Jembo]

Had tbis a couple of times... advice above is good, must be done under pressure & brace the brake pedal between pumping, letting it return slowly rather than under its own steam.

Good hunting