DOT 5 brake fluid sucks

[GEARS]

So I finally had some time to do the front brakes on my Sprinter and I'm having trouble bleeding the brakes because some hanyak topped off the brake fluid with that thick viscous DOT 5 crap ... who uses that junk anyway?

I siphoned off as much of the stuff as I could but I have a bigger problem right now... no pedal. It goes to the floor.

You can pump it all day and open the bleeder and nothing comes out.

My question is how should I go about getting this junkass DOT 5 stuff out?

[Altered Sprinter]

Originally Posted by GEARS

So I finally had some time to do the front brakes on my Sprinter and I'm having trouble bleeding the brakes because some hanyak topped off the brake fluid with that thick viscous DOT 5 crap ... who uses that junk anyway?

I siphoned off as much of the stuff as I could but I have a bigger problem right now... no pedal. It goes to the floor.

You can pump it all day and open the bleeder and nothing comes out.

My question is how should I go about getting this junkass DOT 5 stuff out?

You need to flush the lines out first and replace with DOT4 the right one.
There is a PDF on the forum somewhere But some one else will have to find it.
cause I don't Rembrandt whereitis..
Richard
PS: ya need two one to pump the brake pedal and one to bleed each wheel cylinder of all air in the lines,etc.
A-BFD-animation.gif
A few threads.
Brakes: Gravity vs Pressure Bleed - Sprinter-Forum
Flushing the Brake Fluid / Brake Inspection [Archive] - Sprinter-Forum

[GEARS]

Is the dealership the only place that has the stuff to cycle the ABS? I want to be sure to get all that silicone crap out of there and may end up replacing the master cylinder being that it appears to be leaking internally.

[jdcaples]

Anyone with a DRB-III and the DRB-III Sprinter accessories should be able to actuate the ABS system during a bleed/flush. These tools exist in some independent shops.

I know that at least one version of Sprinter Diagnostic Assistant is able to actuate the ABS system.

MB Star Diagnosis System should be able to actuate the ABS system (MB Dealerships and well-equipped independent shops have this, though I was told there is a Sprinter-specific software license required in the NAFTA region for SDS to talk to a Sprinter).

I don't know, but I suspect that DAD is also able to actuate the valves necessary to flush the ABS system.

-Jon

[Altered Sprinter]

Gears any good automotive brake shop or even a good mechanic can do this for you.
But you need two people to do it.
Flushing is easy takes ten to twenty minutes depends if your using a compressor or doing with a hand pump and the latter I have zero doubts as to its effectiveness due to lack of high pressure to flush the entire system.
Your local mechanic can do a pressure test on the master slave cylinder too,again this is basic tools required no MB diagnostics are required.
Unless your worried about the ABS system having a glitch, then you need to plug into the EU for a code check etc.

If your not confident in doing the flush or bleeding of brakes; 100 US dollars max for 1/2 hrs work between two men no more plus fluids. and or parts,if needed.
Using OB 11 or MB star or for me using a Euro scanner will show all faults in the ECU if any.
Richard

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[mackconsult]

Have not tried it yet, but yes the DAD has these routines in its menu.

Originally Posted by jdcaples

Anyone with a DRB-III and the DRB-III Sprinter accessories should be able to actuate the ABS system during a bleed/flush. These tools exist in some independent shops.

I know that at least one version of Sprinter Diagnostic Assistant is able to actuate the ABS system.

MB Star Diagnosis System should be able to actuate the ABS system (MB Dealerships and well-equipped independent shops have this, though I was told there is a Sprinter-specific software license required in the NAFTA region for SDS to talk to a Sprinter).

I don't know, but I suspect that DAD is also able to actuate the valves necessary to flush the ABS system.

-Jon

[sikwan]

Invest in one of Mityvacs here...

http://sprinter-source.com/forum/sho...ighlight=flush

If you have a DAD, agitate the ABS while flushing. The cost of purchasing a DAD and Mityvac will probably be the same as taking it in to a dealer. Make sure you get the DOT4+.

I use my Mityvac for all my autos and motorcycles for brake and clutch flushing. It is so much faster and easier than doing the pump, hold, and open method.

[GEARS]

Thanks everyone

Yesterday I replaced the master cylinder and bled the lines.

Being that it had a dropping pedal and the DOT 5 stuff in there, I didn't want to mess with it. I shopped around for a new master cylinder for an hour and decided I'd pull a Vic and got a used master cylinder and reservoir from a 2004 that had 60k miles on it for $60. Much better than the $300 the stealership wanted. The part numbers were the same so all is good.

My girlfriend helped with bleeding the brakes and I was happy to find the fluid in the lines to be relatively clean and clear in the first place. I've had several old cars, back in the day, that had brown sludge come out of the bleeders so clear fluid settled my mind.

I would like to bleed the brakes again and augment the ABS to clear out the old fluid in there too. So what's this DAD thing all about? Does anyone have one near Kalamazoo Mich?

[jdcaples]

Originally Posted by GEARS

So what's this DAD thing all about? Does anyone have one near Kalamazoo Mich?

DAD is Doktor A's Diagnostic; an affordable scan tool for DIYers. Currently it only works with T1Ns.

I understand that it will actuate your ABS system to flush the valves missed by a conventional bleed.

I'm sure someone within a reasonable distance owns one, but if you're keeping your Sprinter for the foreseeable future, you should consider buying one from Andy Bittenbinder.

-Jon

[sikwan]

Originally Posted by GEARS

I shopped around for master cylinder for an hour and decided I'd pull a Vic and got a used master cylinder and reservoir from a 2004 that had 60k miles on it for $60.

I always try to live up (or is that down) to his standards.