Bleeding Brakes

[r1anw]

Hi, having trouble bleeding the brakes. I've done it numerous times on our 2006 1.6Hdi without issue.

I've now got myself into a right pickle. Current scenario is :-

• Reservoir is full of Fluid
• Open rear passenger side bleed nipple and all I get is air with the odd drop of fluid.
• Reservoir doesn't go down
• Tried pumping the pedal until leg hurts, tried hand held suction no joy. I'm doing this with the assistance of wife not a 1 man kit. I've been careful to tighten nipple whilst pedal is depressed as not to suck air in.
• All other bleeds are tight

I figured there was a blockage in the pipe so I took out 1 of the "out" feeds from the ABS pump. As the reservoir is higher than the ABS pump I figured fluid wouldn't come but, it came through no problem.

I'm going to try tonight with the engine running, it's been suggested the ABS pump will then be working.

Any suggestions most welcome

thanks Ryan

[polar]

1) you don't need to have the engine running.

2) make sure the reservoir is not leaning forward slightly - many do - and then if the vehicle is on a slight slope forwards the fluid will not go over the baffle into the second compartment in the reservoir! all you do is suck air.

3) if all above good and all else fails leave the nipple open over night and let it gravity feed.

[Tomcat3]

Have you got a load sensing valve on the rear axle as you may have to put some strong wire round it to open up the valve or load the back of the van to do the same.

[berlingo power]

Hi, having trouble bleeding the brakes. I've done it numerous times on our 2006 1.6Hdi without issue.

I've now got myself into a right pickle. Current scenario is :-

• Reservoir is full of Fluid
• Open rear passenger side bleed nipple and all I get is air with the odd drop of fluid.
• Reservoir doesn't go down
• Tried pumping the pedal until leg hurts, tried hand held suction no joy. I'm doing this with the assistance of wife not a 1 man kit. I've been careful to tighten nipple whilst pedal is depressed as not to suck air in.
• All other bleeds are tight

I figured there was a blockage in the pipe so I took out 1 of the "out" feeds from the ABS pump. As the reservoir is higher than the ABS pump I figured fluid wouldn't come but, it came through no problem.

I'm going to try tonight with the engine running, it's been suggested the ABS pump will then be working.

Any suggestions most welcome

thanks Ryan

I had the same problem, i worked out its the badly designed reservoir with it having a shallow end where you put fluid in its too easy to suck in air. i just put the front of the van on ramps. can take awhile to get the air out though, 2 people needed.
Little tip get a bit of clear pipe and put it on the nipple, submerge the other end in a jar of fluid so all it sucks up is more fluid not air

[r1anw]

Success !! :thumbsup:

Thank you all for the suggestions.

The reservoir was indeed tilted slightly forward, I put the car on ramps to raise the front, and wedged the reservoir up.

Removed the rear nipple completely and added fluid, it gulped it down.

I then bleed all the brakes (with engine running - prob not needed) and then went around again for good measure.

Now have brakes.

Thanks to all

Ryan