jason7579

I'm going to replace my brake fluid with ATE blue.

If I top the reservoir while it's still half full will it just dilute with the current fluid or will it sit on top so I can see the change of colour

1509joe

iTrader: (2)

Fill up open one nipple bleed till you get new fluid.
Then do the rest until you get new fluid.
Obviously top up as necessary.

jason7579

Cheers, I'm OK with the actual procedure but normally just grab a bottle of fluid and keep going till its gone.

As this is a different colour I wasnt sure whether to follow a similar procedure and keep it well topped or wait until the old stuff was right at the bottom of the tank before topping up so I can be sure the old stuff doesnt mix

1509joe

iTrader: (2)

That's why you do one first then you know all is gone/flushed

jason7579

Excellent point. Now I need to find somewhere dry!

Vxr2010

syringe out most of the old fluid in there , top it up then start bleeding

jason7579

Good call. Thanks both.

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

Where have you got ATE BLUE from, it's been banned and discontinued for years?

jason7579

I've since learned that it's not blue, and seen a couple of references re banning the coloured fluid. I ordered from gsf, the ad photo was a bit misleading (and I didn't really look past the image)

link to gsf

RetroPug

It's decent fluid but as others have said, not actually blue anymore..

The colour meant you could tell whether or not you've flushed it all through, and supposedly makes it easier to spot leaks.

If you haven't yet purchased a syringe, or don't want to spend the money, you could start the bleeding process and not top up until the reservoir is 90% empty before filling it with new fluid. If you've bought a litre that's usually way more than enough anyway so you could keep going for a while on each corner after air bubbles have gone just to be fully sure you've got all new fluid.

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

There is no point in keeping brake fluid once it has been opened. I use a big clear plastic container and mark it every 200ml. Then bleed each caliper upto the mark, then move onto the next one. That way you can be sure that all the old fluid has been replaced.

I also gravity bleed now. Much easier on your own and very reliable.

jason7579

Thanks.

I won't be keeping any brake fluid, I'll be doing the lot just to ensure a full purge.

I like the look of gravity bleeding, how long does it usually take you per corner? And do you still use the official subaru order to bleed (osf, nsr, nsf, osr?)

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

I leave it 10-15mins each corner, which is about the time it takes for 200-250ml to come through. Pump the pedal a few times to build up pressure then open the nipple. Give the caliper a few taps to release any trapped air. Once there is fluid in the tube and container, you can press the pedal to help things along without fear of air being drawn back into the caliper. Don't forget to kerp topping the M/C up.

I usually give it a few days of driving (or at least try and engage the ABS) and then give it another quick bleed. There is usually one caliper that spits out a few more bubbles once the ABS pump had been engaged.

Yes, I do bleed according to the Subaru order, although fluid dynamics would dictate that it shouldn't matter.

jason7579

Just a quick thanks for all the help and advice. Brakes are now all bled and just need to book in the MOT fingers crossed.

Only issue I had was the brake light on the dashboard after... The float was sticking, a little poke or two resolved that.