Advice needed to bleed air out of my rear brake lines

[Great Dane Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Great Dane]

In an attempt to change brake fluid today the Prado master cylinder sucked in air.

To change out brake fluid I thought the idea was to suck out the old fluid first from the master cylinder with a turkey baster (or the like) then top up with new fluid then pump brakes and do each wheel until new fluid pushes through whilst topping up. My master cylinder sucked air in when fluid was at the low level mark on the master cylinder, there was still heaps of brake fluid in the master cylinder when it sucked in the air. The car is only 4 years old and appears to be in good condition.

The front brakes bled the air out easily but the rear won't, do I now have to use a vacuum to get the air out?

Any advice from PP members to get the rear lines clear of air would be much appreciated. Can I do it myself without spending too much $$$.

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

Have you tried pressure bleeding them, or gravity bleeding or just having the bleeder undone and pumping the pedal?

I have never had a problem just letting them gravity bleed for a while then followed with a good pressure bleed. Worst case the ABS may need bleeding with a scan tool or similar, but usually not.

[Great Dane Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Great Dane]

Thanks for your advice Andy, just doing a gravity bleed now.
Can't believe I got air in the system, very annoying.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

I hope you have the key turned on.

Gravity is best, but it can be slow especially getting air out once you stuffed up.
You may need to go to an old school bleeding procedure.

[nanbar Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close nanbar]

Take it to a mechanic.

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

Oh yeah, forgot that bit ####, key must be in the on position to bleed correctly.

If you aren't sure it is best to get it checked by someone who knows, brakes, like steering, are the most important part of a vehicle.

[Great Dane Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Great Dane]

Thanks so much you blokes, you have to have the key on!!! What a difference, bled them in 2 seconds so I am now very happy and so is my daughter as she has now been relieved from brake pumping ha ha.

This site has helped me heaps and there certainly are a few regulars that have a tremendous input.

Brake fluid change completed.

Cheers.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Thanks so much you blokes, you have to have the key on!!! What a difference, bled them in 2 seconds so I am now very happy and so is my daughter as she has now been relieved from brake pumping ha ha.

This site has helped me heaps and there certainly are a few regulars that have a tremendous input.

Brake fluid change completed.

Cheers.

The older the vehicle the less I like pumping.
When they are young, pumping is ok.
But don't go too deep.
The normal travel s as far as you should go, it's not common but if you are pushing it in past it's usual travel, the seals may go past some small amount of crap & cause a leak.

I always prefer gravity, no risk of damage, no extra tools or person required.
You can do the other work, while gravity does that job for me, it's like having a free worker in the workshop :-)

Glad you got it sorted.

[Whitey Shockie Maker of the Month Award Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey]

Hey,

Why does the key need to be in the "on" position? Thought you could bleed without the key in??

Best

Mark

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Hey,

Why does the key need to be in the "on" position? Thought you could bleed without the key in??

Best

Mark

Accumulator master cylinder. Traction control.
Or
You can use a scan tool

[Dominator Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dominator]

Is gravity bleeding just leaving the nipple open for a while? I have only e er done pressure bleeding.

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

Is gravity bleeding just leaving the nipple open for a while? I have only e er done pressure bleeding.

Pretty much my friend, but way to do a brake fluid flush. Grab a bit of clear hose the fits snugly onto the bleed nipple (pet store fish tank hose is great) and put the other end into a bottle, really cheap brake flush kit. Start at the furthest bleed nipple from the cylinder and work you way around until you see clean new fluid. No pumping or effort required, and no mess to clean up, winning.