Brake Bleeding - Disaster [please help]

[Munson]

Firstly, can I just say F.F.S.

Ok here's the story. I know how to bleed the brakes. I have replaced the fluid before and had no issues. Today I did a post track day brake service which included bleeding through quite a bit of fluid at each corner.

No problems. That was until the last corner when, like a spleen, I was stupid enough to allow the level to get too low, followed by hearing the dreaded sucking sound. Yup, I let the fluid level get too low and it sucked in air. My heart sank TBH.

Topped the fluid up and bled through quite a bit more fluid but, no matter what I do, the pedal is compessing air somewhere.

What do I need to do? Please help. The car is now off the road

 

[mini-valver]

You need to bleed them from the furthest away. I.e left rear, right rear, left front, right front. I'd bleed it about 100ml through each corner then repeat.

 

[Munson]

You need to bleed them from the furthest away. I.e left rear, right rear, left front, right front. I'd bleed it about 100ml through each corner then repeat.

Yeah but have I not now got air in the ABS pump?

 

[mini-valver]

I bled mine dry, re-bled with new fluid and they're fine. It should still bleed through!

 

[Munson]

I bled mine dry, re-bled with new fluid and they're fine. It should still bleed through!

Ok thanks. After the suckage, I bled at least another 300ml through that corner, no air pockets or anythiung came through, and the pedal is still soft. So, start again at the furthest corner and keep going around? I'm sure I've read on here before that if you let the fluid run low and suck air in, then you're f**ked?

 

[mini-valver]

Do all 4 corners again as the fluid passes through the ABS pump before reaching the brakes so air will go to all 4 corners, not just the one you have open. It's a PITA if you dont have an eezibleed or an assistant on the pedal.

 

[Henry]

i've never experienced this (don't have ABS) but thought that symptoms, as described, were indicative of air in the ABS pump. Renault apparently need to sort that out, as they have an electronic plug-in contraption that remotely opens the valves in the ABS pump to allow the air out whilst re-bleeding

are you using an Easibleed pressure bleeder? if not, might be worth having a go with one of those (£20) before biting the bullet and ringing Renault/specialist

 

[Fred@BTM]

is the pedal going to the floor? if the brakes work, then take it for a spin and fire the ABS off several times and rebleed

 

[Munson]

Do all 4 corners again as the fluid passes through the ABS pump before reaching the brakes so air will go to all 4 corners, not just the one you have open. It's a PITA if you dont have an eezibleed or an assistant on the pedal.

Oh I have the gear and an assistant so that's no issue. I just remember reading on here that once air is the ABS system, you're fucked. In fact someone said it's a dealer repair job (searching). Also, as an added complication - like a gold plated c**t, in the panic that followed, I started the engine...

 

[Munson]

is the pedal going to the floor? if the brakes work, then take it for a spin and fire the ABS off several times and rebleed

Not to the floor, no. Just very very spongy. Not sure if it would be able to activate the ABS.

 

[ScottyD]

Get sum brake fluid in bulk and keep bleeding will eventually clear but may take a while

 

[Munson]

So it's just a case of keep bleeding, going out for spin and activating the ABS, and repeating? Luckily I have another 2 litres of fluid left.

 

[mini-valver]

Fluid HAS to pass through the pump when bleeding so I'd re-bleed all four corners and go for a drive and lock up a few times, then re-bleed. I definately wouldn't begoing to the dealers!

 

[richy22]

Munson!

 

[Munson]

Ok that's a weight off my mind. As always, you guys have been a massive help. Perhaps I misunderstood some of the things I'd read previously about it being a disaster. Cliosport is a fountain of knowledge :approve:

Munson!

What?!

 

[richy22]

Lol Thats why I dont think il be tackling my new braided lines myself!... il let someone else do it me thinks!

 

[Munson]

Lol Thats why I dont think il be tackling my new braided lines myself!... il let someone else do it me thinks!

No, no. Fitting the lines is easy. It's all easy as long as you don't let the reservoir run dry. I just let my concentration go this time around. In fact, it's quite difficult to judge the level. There's a little well, that the level sensor sits in, and it seems the level in this well isn't necessarily the level in the rest of the reservoir. That's my excuse at least

 

[Edwards2k9]

rightt... bleed from say the n/s/r keep somthing pressed down on yh break peddle and then keep fluid pouring into were u put yh brake fluid that shoud get rid of yh air lock it cud take i while depending on how much aire uve drawn in mate and yh need to be cearful you havnt messed the seals up in the master cylinder when uve drawn air into it ... let me know how u got on

 

[Boss hog]

rightt... bleed from say the n/s/r keep somthing pressed down on yh break peddle and then keep fluid pouring into were u put yh brake fluid that shoud get rid of yh air lock it cud take i while depending on how much aire uve drawn in mate and yh need to be cearful you havnt messed the seals up in the master cylinder when uve drawn air into it ... let me know how u got on

:S You might have something interesting to say, i've read it 3 times and can't understand what you're trying to say.... could you type it again but without the text typing please?

 

[f0xy]

this is an issue i currently have (a month or two after it started)

I had my resovouir off when doing the engine swap, pedal wasnt pressed or anything during that time though. Ever since i re-fitted it, and bled it (normal method, and with an easybleed kit), it comes through fine at every caliper (furthest to nearest), no air whatsoever.

The brakes are fine for the first few presses, then they always start going spongy, and gradually get wose.... The fluid level isnt going down, and all the hoses are new (braided)...

So I myself am no closer to fixing this problem Oh, i dont even have ABS either, so im guessing it should be easier for me?! Clearly not lol... Wonder if ive got air in the master cylinder hmmm

 

[mark123]

this is an issue i currently have (a month or two after it started)

I had my resovouir off when doing the engine swap, pedal wasnt pressed or anything during that time though. Ever since i re-fitted it, and bled it (normal method, and with an easybleed kit), it comes through fine at every caliper (furthest to nearest), no air whatsoever.

The brakes are fine for the first few presses, then they always start going spongy, and gradually get wose.... The fluid level isnt going down, and all the hoses are new (braided)...

So I myself am no closer to fixing this problem Oh, i dont even have ABS either, so im guessing it should be easier for me?! Clearly not lol... Wonder if ive got air in the master cylinder hmmm

I'd be thinking master cylinder for you f0xy.

Roy I have the Renault tech note on how they do it. PM me your e-mail if you want a copy. It requires their "clip" so won't be much use except to convince you that's what it needs if it doesn't get any better.

 

[Munson]

I'd be thinking master cylinder for you f0xy.

Roy I have the Renault tech note on how they do it. PM me your e-mail if you want a copy. It requires their "clip" so won't be much use except to convince you that's what it needs if it doesn't get any better.

Thanks man. Thanks to everyone who has helped. I'll have a go at rebleeding the system tomorrow. If I have no joy then I may well ask you for that No doubt the thread will be updated with rants

So annoyed at myself. Everything was going great. No issues at all. The pedal was rock solid until I lost concentration on the last corner. As I said, as soon as I heard the "schhhhluuuuurp" my heart sank :dapprove:

 

[Da]

Gutted Roy :dapprove:
I can offer no advice but wish you well on your quest!

 

[Munson]

Cheers, dude. Worse things happen at sea.

 

[Munson]

Awesome. It wasn't looking good until I got back round to the offending corner again. Glug glug splurge pop. All sorted. Thanks for all the input

 

[powey]

no need for a reno monkey then?

 

[powey]

ANOTHER MYTH....Busted

 

[f0xy]

I'd be thinking master cylinder for you f0xy.

yep all i can think of tbh

If i brake to a stop, then hold my foot on the pedal in the position where the car stopped, it will gradually start falling to the floor....few seconds later even though my foot is going down,the brakes will 'let off' and the car will start moving! so dodgy.

Hopefully swapping the master cyl tommorow if the weather is good!

 

[Munson]

no need for a reno monkey then?

ANOTHER MYTH....Busted

Well, not in my case. I may have been lucky.

 

[seb]

good news tbh

 

[Munson]

good news tbh

Cheers, man. Tell me about it. If it didn't work, I was going to get it trailered up to the Dunstable downs and push the c**t into the nearby quarry.

 

[Aluco]

Back to your computer now Munson

 

[Munson]

Back to your computer now Munson

Have you missed me, sweetie? -x-

 

[Needster]

So you managed it then?

 

[Munson]

So you managed it then?

Ja. Solid as a rock now. I also greased the slide pins (which had dried up with the extreme heat) and changed back to road pads for now. The Carbone Lorraine pads were f**ked. Bent backing plates and 2/3rd worn after one track day. I'll use them again (new ones), but only for track days. They're just too aggressive to be bothering with on the road, as many people here had already suggested. Every day's a school day

I can't believe the state of the CL pads. They look like they have been used to stop an Airbus A380 on full thrust. Perhaps my NAFOD track-attack style needs toning down a bit

 

[Needster]

LOL. Fucked pads FTL. You must drive it like you stole it. Panzer Bean back whoring the streets?

 

[Munson]

I do on the track. On the road, I mostly drive like Miss Daisy now. PB is back on the streets, yes.

 

[mini-valver]

See, ABS pump clip system myth is bullshit TBH. You just need to be persistent.

 

[Munson]

See, ABS pump clip system myth is bulls**t TBH. You just need to be persistent.

Indeed, so it would seem. Unfortunately for you, I just opened a multipack of Hula Hoops upside down

Thanks again for your help, homos

As well as being the home of comedy, Cliosport is also the central database for anyone who owns a Clio. FACT.

 

[Needster]

AFF™

/end Munson's need thread.