When to bleed brakes
 

I'm getting the 90k service on my 96 Integra LS, and the dealer wanted to
bleed the brakes. I ended up going to an independent shop and they say they
just replace the fluid in the reservoir unless there is some problem with
the brakes.

When do you bleed your brakes?

Re: When to bleed brakes
 

On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 19:38:25 GMT, Jason Wells <spinmaster@nospam.com>
wrote:

>I'm getting the 90k service on my 96 Integra LS, and the dealer wanted to
>bleed the brakes. I ended up going to an independent shop and they say they
>just replace the fluid in the reservoir unless there is some problem with
>the brakes.
>
>When do you bleed your brakes?

I'm with the dealer on this one. Brake fluid is a kind of alcohol.
Like all alcohols, it is mutually soluble with water. Every time the
system is opened, (for example, to add fluid) some water is absorbed
by the brake fluid. Eventually, the amount of water in the fluid is
enough that it can begin to cause problems, such as internal
corrosion. So, I am an advocate of periodic brake system flushes. 90k
miles sounds about right to me.

The process is simple, but can be messy and uses a lot of brake fluid.

Elliot Richmond
Freelance Science Writer and Editor

Re: When to bleed brakes
 

On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 19:38:25 GMT, Jason Wells <spinmaster@nospam.com>
wrote:

>I'm getting the 90k service on my 96 Integra LS, and the dealer wanted to
>bleed the brakes. I ended up going to an independent shop and they say they
>just replace the fluid in the reservoir unless there is some problem with
>the brakes.
>
>When do you bleed your brakes?

I'm with the dealer on this one. Brake fluid is a kind of alcohol.
Like all alcohols, it is mutually soluble with water. Every time the
system is opened, (for example, to add fluid) some water is absorbed
by the brake fluid. Eventually, the amount of water in the fluid is
enough that it can begin to cause problems, such as internal
corrosion. So, I am an advocate of periodic brake system flushes. 90k
miles sounds about right to me.

The process is simple, but can be messy and uses a lot of brake fluid.

Elliot Richmond
Freelance Science Writer and Editor

Re: When to bleed brakes
 

Elliot Richmond wrote:

> On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 19:38:25 GMT, Jason Wells <spinmaster@nospam.com>
> wrote:
>
>>I'm getting the 90k service on my 96 Integra LS, and the dealer wanted to
>>bleed the brakes. I ended up going to an independent shop and they say
>>they just replace the fluid in the reservoir unless there is some problem
>>with the brakes.
>>
>>When do you bleed your brakes?
>
> I'm with the dealer on this one. Brake fluid is a kind of alcohol.
> Like all alcohols, it is mutually soluble with water. Every time the
> system is opened, (for example, to add fluid) some water is absorbed
> by the brake fluid. Eventually, the amount of water in the fluid is
> enough that it can begin to cause problems, such as internal
> corrosion. So, I am an advocate of periodic brake system flushes. 90k
> miles sounds about right to me.
>
> The process is simple, but can be messy and uses a lot of brake fluid.
>
> Elliot Richmond
> Freelance Science Writer and Editor

Thanks for your reply.

Wouldn't changing the fluid in the reservoir dilute any water present in the
system?

Re: When to bleed brakes
 

Elliot Richmond wrote:

> On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 19:38:25 GMT, Jason Wells <spinmaster@nospam.com>
> wrote:
>
>>I'm getting the 90k service on my 96 Integra LS, and the dealer wanted to
>>bleed the brakes. I ended up going to an independent shop and they say
>>they just replace the fluid in the reservoir unless there is some problem
>>with the brakes.
>>
>>When do you bleed your brakes?
>
> I'm with the dealer on this one. Brake fluid is a kind of alcohol.
> Like all alcohols, it is mutually soluble with water. Every time the
> system is opened, (for example, to add fluid) some water is absorbed
> by the brake fluid. Eventually, the amount of water in the fluid is
> enough that it can begin to cause problems, such as internal
> corrosion. So, I am an advocate of periodic brake system flushes. 90k
> miles sounds about right to me.
>
> The process is simple, but can be messy and uses a lot of brake fluid.
>
> Elliot Richmond
> Freelance Science Writer and Editor

Thanks for your reply.

Wouldn't changing the fluid in the reservoir dilute any water present in the
system?

Re: When to bleed brakes
 

On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 20:18:29 GMT, Jason Wells <spinmaster@nospam.com>
wrote:

>Wouldn't changing the fluid in the reservoir dilute any water present in the
>system?

Yes, I think it would, but the fluid in the lines and wheel cylinders
could still be contaminated. It would take awhile for it all to mix.

Elliot Richmond
Freelance Science Writer and Editor

Re: When to bleed brakes
 

On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 20:18:29 GMT, Jason Wells <spinmaster@nospam.com>
wrote:

>Wouldn't changing the fluid in the reservoir dilute any water present in the
>system?

Yes, I think it would, but the fluid in the lines and wheel cylinders
could still be contaminated. It would take awhile for it all to mix.

Elliot Richmond
Freelance Science Writer and Editor

Re: When to bleed brakes
 

Jason Wells <spinmaster@nospam.com> wrote in
news:RkSJd.6167$8Z1.5324@newssvr14.news.prodigy.co m:

> I'm getting the 90k service on my 96 Integra LS, and the dealer wanted
> to bleed the brakes. I ended up going to an independent shop and they
> say they just replace the fluid in the reservoir unless there is some
> problem with the brakes.
>
> When do you bleed your brakes?



Once per year.

If you only replace the fluid in the reservoir, that does nothing about the
fluid in the master cylinder bore, whihc is under the reservoir. Inside the
bore is where corrosion will occur first, since that's the entry point for
water into the system.

In order to replace the fluid in the master cylinder bore, you need to
bleed at the wheels.

Most master cylinder failures are due to neglect.


--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Re: When to bleed brakes
 

Jason Wells <spinmaster@nospam.com> wrote in
news:RkSJd.6167$8Z1.5324@newssvr14.news.prodigy.co m:

> I'm getting the 90k service on my 96 Integra LS, and the dealer wanted
> to bleed the brakes. I ended up going to an independent shop and they
> say they just replace the fluid in the reservoir unless there is some
> problem with the brakes.
>
> When do you bleed your brakes?



Once per year.

If you only replace the fluid in the reservoir, that does nothing about the
fluid in the master cylinder bore, whihc is under the reservoir. Inside the
bore is where corrosion will occur first, since that's the entry point for
water into the system.

In order to replace the fluid in the master cylinder bore, you need to
bleed at the wheels.

Most master cylinder failures are due to neglect.


--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Re: When to bleed brakes
 

Elliot Richmond <xmrichmond@xaustin.xrr.xcom> wrote in
news:b3vfv0hr1bq9ak0g8mjcbgqj2l9bri6lf7@4ax.com:

> On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 20:18:29 GMT, Jason Wells <spinmaster@nospam.com>
> wrote:
>
>>Wouldn't changing the fluid in the reservoir dilute any water present
>>in the system?
>
> Yes, I think it would, but the fluid in the lines and wheel cylinders
> could still be contaminated. It would take awhile for it all to mix.



Not for a looong time.

Reservoir fluid only makes its way into the master cylinder bore and the
lines as the brake friction linings wear.

You cannot "dilute" the water in the system. The water settles out into the
lowest points, which are usually the master cylinder bore, wheel cylinders
and caliper bores. It's not like you were stirring milk into coffee or
something, it's more like oil and water (even though brake fluid is not
actually oil).

When the water has been there long enough and the fluid is old enough, the
bores start to rust. You'll get a skinny black strip of corrosion at the
very bottom of the bore. That's what tears up the seals and causes leaks.



--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Re: When to bleed brakes
 

Elliot Richmond <xmrichmond@xaustin.xrr.xcom> wrote in
news:b3vfv0hr1bq9ak0g8mjcbgqj2l9bri6lf7@4ax.com:

> On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 20:18:29 GMT, Jason Wells <spinmaster@nospam.com>
> wrote:
>
>>Wouldn't changing the fluid in the reservoir dilute any water present
>>in the system?
>
> Yes, I think it would, but the fluid in the lines and wheel cylinders
> could still be contaminated. It would take awhile for it all to mix.



Not for a looong time.

Reservoir fluid only makes its way into the master cylinder bore and the
lines as the brake friction linings wear.

You cannot "dilute" the water in the system. The water settles out into the
lowest points, which are usually the master cylinder bore, wheel cylinders
and caliper bores. It's not like you were stirring milk into coffee or
something, it's more like oil and water (even though brake fluid is not
actually oil).

When the water has been there long enough and the fluid is old enough, the
bores start to rust. You'll get a skinny black strip of corrosion at the
very bottom of the bore. That's what tears up the seals and causes leaks.



--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Re: When to bleed brakes
 

I'd have to agree with TeGGer on this one. When I was a service writer for
a Honda dealership we advised our customers to flush the brake system every
30,000 miles. That's what Honda recommends (or used to, anyway. It's been
awhile).

> Once per year.
>
> If you only replace the fluid in the reservoir, that does nothing about
the
> fluid in the master cylinder bore, whihc is under the reservoir. Inside
the
> bore is where corrosion will occur first, since that's the entry point for
> water into the system.
>
> In order to replace the fluid in the master cylinder bore, you need to
> bleed at the wheels.
>
> Most master cylinder failures are due to neglect.
>
>
> --
> TeGGeR®
>
> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
> www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Re: When to bleed brakes
 

I'd have to agree with TeGGer on this one. When I was a service writer for
a Honda dealership we advised our customers to flush the brake system every
30,000 miles. That's what Honda recommends (or used to, anyway. It's been
awhile).

> Once per year.
>
> If you only replace the fluid in the reservoir, that does nothing about
the
> fluid in the master cylinder bore, whihc is under the reservoir. Inside
the
> bore is where corrosion will occur first, since that's the entry point for
> water into the system.
>
> In order to replace the fluid in the master cylinder bore, you need to
> bleed at the wheels.
>
> Most master cylinder failures are due to neglect.
>
>
> --
> TeGGeR®
>
> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
> www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Re: When to bleed brakes
 

Jason Wells wrote:
> I'm getting the 90k service on my 96 Integra LS, and the dealer wanted to
> bleed the brakes. I ended up going to an independent shop and they say they
> just replace the fluid in the reservoir unless there is some problem with
> the brakes.
>
> When do you bleed your brakes?


--------------------------

Bleeding brakes takes only a small amount of fluid, way less than a
quart. It's even a bit of fun to do with a helper, since it's so cheap
compared to having it done at a shop. You can immediately see the old
stuff come out, and the brakes will feel 'firmer'. The joy of saving money.

'Curly'

Re: When to bleed brakes
 

Jason Wells wrote:
> I'm getting the 90k service on my 96 Integra LS, and the dealer wanted to
> bleed the brakes. I ended up going to an independent shop and they say they
> just replace the fluid in the reservoir unless there is some problem with
> the brakes.
>
> When do you bleed your brakes?


--------------------------

Bleeding brakes takes only a small amount of fluid, way less than a
quart. It's even a bit of fun to do with a helper, since it's so cheap
compared to having it done at a shop. You can immediately see the old
stuff come out, and the brakes will feel 'firmer'. The joy of saving money.

'Curly'