Quick question - what type of brake fluid and how much

Big lumps of metals and spanners.

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Locked
jamesandtheopenroad
Registered user
Posts: 693
Joined: 23 May 2010, 20:46
80-90 Mem No: 8279
Location: London

Quick question - what type of brake fluid and how much

Post by jamesandtheopenroad »

Good arvo.

As i need to change the brake fluid soon, I want to take up eurocarparts 50% off. But I'm at work without my haynes so don't know what sort I need and how much?

Could some be kind enough to let me know please?

Thanks
"our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt" Mr W Shakespeare

1990 VW T25 Transporter
1.9 DG 78ps
LPG'd by Gasure

User avatar
AdrianC
Registered user
Posts: 2975
Joined: 29 Dec 2010, 21:57
80-90 Mem No: 9144
Location: Living in Hay whilst the Sun pours down.
Contact:

Re: Quick question - what type of brake fluid and how much

Post by AdrianC »

DOT4.

How much depends on how much you spill/waste whilst bleeding through... Having a look at ECP's website, they do one litre and half litre bottles. Get one of each. If you stay within the one litre, you've got a half litre on the shelf - sealed - for later topups or whatever. Once you've opened the bottle, if you don't use it within a couple of weeks, bin it. It absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, which is why it must be changed every two years. Even without the 50% off, it's not exactly expensive stuff.

Don't forget to bleed the clutch through as well as all four wheels.
A year and a half living in a Westy hightop... http://www.WhereverTheRoadGoes.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

User avatar
skippymoss
Registered user
Posts: 118
Joined: 24 May 2011, 13:03
80-90 Mem No: 9718
Location: Newark

Re: Quick question - what type of brake fluid and how much

Post by skippymoss »

I asked the same question the other week.
Can I request an add too the wiki?

jamesandtheopenroad
Registered user
Posts: 693
Joined: 23 May 2010, 20:46
80-90 Mem No: 8279
Location: London

Re: Quick question - what type of brake fluid and how much

Post by jamesandtheopenroad »

Thanks, Adrian. So the resevoir only holds about a litre, does it?
"our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt" Mr W Shakespeare

1990 VW T25 Transporter
1.9 DG 78ps
LPG'd by Gasure

User avatar
AdrianC
Registered user
Posts: 2975
Joined: 29 Dec 2010, 21:57
80-90 Mem No: 9144
Location: Living in Hay whilst the Sun pours down.
Contact:

Re: Quick question - what type of brake fluid and how much

Post by AdrianC »

jamesandtheopenroad wrote:Thanks, Adrian. So the resevoir only holds about a litre, does it?
Much less than that.
A year and a half living in a Westy hightop... http://www.WhereverTheRoadGoes.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

jamesandtheopenroad
Registered user
Posts: 693
Joined: 23 May 2010, 20:46
80-90 Mem No: 8279
Location: London

Re: Quick question - what type of brake fluid and how much

Post by jamesandtheopenroad »

Okay. Thanks.
"our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt" Mr W Shakespeare

1990 VW T25 Transporter
1.9 DG 78ps
LPG'd by Gasure

User avatar
kevtherev
Registered user
Posts: 18832
Joined: 23 Oct 2005, 20:13
80-90 Mem No: 2264
Location: Country estate Wolverhampton Actually

Re: Quick question - what type of brake fluid and how much

Post by kevtherev »

skippymoss wrote:I asked the same question the other week.
Can I request an add too the wiki?
Service information is available in the haynes..
AGG 2.0L 8V. (Golf GTi MkIII)

User avatar
skippymoss
Registered user
Posts: 118
Joined: 24 May 2011, 13:03
80-90 Mem No: 9718
Location: Newark

Re: Quick question - what type of brake fluid and how much

Post by skippymoss »

The type of fluid is, but the volume required for a change isn't

User avatar
kevtherev
Registered user
Posts: 18832
Joined: 23 Oct 2005, 20:13
80-90 Mem No: 2264
Location: Country estate Wolverhampton Actually

Re: Quick question - what type of brake fluid and how much

Post by kevtherev »

Adrians answer covers that.
As it isn't a specific volume but the dot is.
AGG 2.0L 8V. (Golf GTi MkIII)

California Dreamin
Registered user
Posts: 2673
Joined: 03 Apr 2007, 12:54
80-90 Mem No: 8386
Location: Nottingham

Re: Quick question - what type of brake fluid and how much

Post by California Dreamin »

The reservoir probably holds around 200ml but as this is contaminated (has taken on water) then best practice is to suck out the majority of this and replace it with 'fresh' BEFORE you commence bleeding (there is no point is bleeding the first line with old fluid).

1 litre is a minimum for a full bleed, 1.5l will easily do it.

DOT4 is all you need, under a fiver for 1 litre.

Pressure or power bleeding is best to minimize the risk to master cylinder seals through 'full pedal' bleeding.
Or if you have to bleed them traditionally, FULLY open the bleed nipples between pumps and 'STEADILY' depress to minimize the risk of seal damage.

Martin
1989 California 2.1MV

Locked