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How much brake fluid on COMPLETE empty system?

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Old May 24, 2007 | 02:10 PM
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Question How much brake fluid on COMPLETE empty system?

I have drained my system complete, because i had it all out of the car.

But i cant find out how much brake fluid i will need on the system (work shop manual, and i have searched)

Do someone know?

Thank you.
Joachim
Norway
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Old May 24, 2007 | 02:48 PM
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A 1 liter can will be more than enough. At least it was for mine.
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Old May 24, 2007 | 03:16 PM
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Dan Cernese
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a fraction more than whatever size can you purchase ;-)
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Old May 24, 2007 | 05:05 PM
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Originally Posted by trickshot
A 1 liter can will be more than enough. At least it was for mine.
Even after bleeding each corner, and getting the bubbles out of the ABS unit?

I would order 2 liters. And a pressure bleeder.

-Max
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Old May 24, 2007 | 05:08 PM
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Originally Posted by maxcooper
Even after bleeding each corner, and getting the bubbles out of the ABS unit?

I would order 2 liters. And a pressure bleeder.

-Max
+1

A pressure bleeder is the way to go if you have completly drained the system.
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Old May 24, 2007 | 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by maxcooper
Even after bleeding each corner, and getting the bubbles out of the ABS unit?

I would order 2 liters. And a pressure bleeder.

-Max
Yup, and the pedal is nice and firm. Didn't need the whole can of ATE Blue this time. Last time two cans of Motul 600 was enough to do the job. I think those cans were 1 pint each. I was replacing the fluid already in the system though, so doing it from dry may take more. I'll have to go check the owner's man. or service book to see if it gives total capacity.
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Old May 24, 2007 | 05:32 PM
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You should bench bleed your master cylinder too, so yeah, you'll probably end up using more brake fluid than I did.
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Old May 24, 2007 | 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by trickshot
I'll have to go check the owner's man. or service book to see if it gives total capacity.
If you understand how the brake system works you will see there is no "total capacity" for brake fluid. Required oe max brake fluid level is determined by brake pad thickness, rotor wear and how well bled the system is.
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Old May 24, 2007 | 10:50 PM
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Originally Posted by n1ray
If you understand how the brake system works you will see there is no "total capacity" for brake fluid. Required oe max brake fluid level is determined by brake pad thickness, rotor wear and how well bled the system is.
You're right about that. On the other hand, there is a theoretical limit. There is a finite amount of fluid in the hydraulic system. And you wouldn't tell somebody they needed 5 quarts of brake fluid to bleed and flush their system. Even with a lot of air in the lines I've never seen somebody use that much. I should have phrased it better and said if the manual recommended to have a certain amount of fluid on hand. Within the past year I flushed and refilled the system on my other car, a large European sedan and it wound up using less than the entire 1 liter can of ATE Blue.
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Old May 25, 2007 | 08:09 AM
  #10  
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If you are buying relatively common brake fluid at a store, just buy extra and you can always return the unopened bottles.
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