VW 2 year brake flush

[pudding]

Had this done today at the dealer today and I'm impressed.

They activated the ABS pump to clear out the accumulated gunk from the solenoid valves, and they also flushed the clutch through.

The result is sharper brakes and the clutch feels waaaaaaay better.  Lighter and smoother.  It's a Helix clutch, so heavier than OE, but recently it's been getting heavier and heavier, as well as feeling a bit grindy after taking up the bite.  The dealer said the fluid that came out of the clutch line and the slave cylinder was black and filthy, so that's probably why!

Just thought I'd mention it because it's well worth doing 

[leebes]

How much did that cost to have done?

What fluid did they put in?

[Chris_R]

How much did that cost to have done?

What fluid did they put in?

Its one of the things they do on the fixed price service list - £64

That's not bad really considering having two people for an hour doing it yourself plus fluid and VCDS, doubt the fluid is anything special but would likely be to the correct spec for the electronic gizmos etc.

[pudding]

Yep, £64.

I agree it's not bad value to be honest.  For a cheaper DIY flush, you can do the ABS bit if you've got VCDS but I wouldn't know what to do with it tbh.  VAG have a special machine to do it.  I think it pulses the solenoid valves at different frequencies to give them a good clear out.

Fluid will likely be Quantum or VAG branded DOT4.  What ever they've got in the big barrels out back.

I honestly didn't think a fluid change would do much, and wasn't expecting to feel any improvements, but both the clutch and the brakes feel very noticably better.

[david25]

Had this done today at the dealer today and I'm impressed.

They activated the ABS pump to clear out the accumulated gunk from the solenoid valves, and they also flushed the clutch through.

The result is sharper brakes and the clutch feels waaaaaaay better.  Lighter and smoother.  It's a Helix clutch, so heavier than OE, but recently it's been getting heavier and heavier, as well as feeling a bit grindy after taking up the bite.  The dealer said the fluid that came out of the clutch line and the slave cylinder was black and filthy, so that's probably why!

Just thought I'd mention it because it's well worth doing 

Did you ask them for this full treatment? Or is it standard at this garage?

[horsemeat]

For that money I think I'll be taking it to the dealer next time! Worth it to save the leg workout alone tbh

[leebes]

Spoke to Newark VW yesterday about this. They charge £59 (cheeky £5 saving), but they do not activate the ABS/ ESP via VCDS as they say the fluid change in brakes and clutch flushes it out anyway under pressure from the machine they use.

When I mentioned about getting the accumulated 'gunk' out of the solenoid valves....blank faces!!! Oh dear!

[Paradox1]

Spoke to Newark VW yesterday about this. They charge £59 (cheeky £5 saving), but they do not activate the ABS/ ESP via VCDS as they say the fluid change in brakes and clutch flushes it out anyway under pressure from the machine they use.

When I mentioned about getting the accumulated 'gunk' out of the solenoid valves....blank faces!!! Oh dear!

Shocking!!

[grey golfster]

I'm going to say it again....a FVWSH is meaningless tosh!

 IMHO of course....

[Shoduchi]

I'm going to say it again....a FVWSH is meaningless tosh!

 IMHO of course....

Agree! A dedicated VAG specialist is much better to keep our cars in top shape.

[leebes]

Had this done today at the dealer today and I'm impressed.

They activated the ABS pump to clear out the accumulated gunk from the solenoid valves, and they also flushed the clutch through.

The result is sharper brakes and the clutch feels waaaaaaay better.  Lighter and smoother.  It's a Helix clutch, so heavier than OE, but recently it's been getting heavier and heavier, as well as feeling a bit grindy after taking up the bite.  The dealer said the fluid that came out of the clutch line and the slave cylinder was black and filthy, so that's probably why!

Just thought I'd mention it because it's well worth doing 

What dealership was this done at Pudding?

[pudding]

Had this done today at the dealer today and I'm impressed.

They activated the ABS pump to clear out the accumulated gunk from the solenoid valves, and they also flushed the clutch through.

The result is sharper brakes and the clutch feels waaaaaaay better.  Lighter and smoother.  It's a Helix clutch, so heavier than OE, but recently it's been getting heavier and heavier, as well as feeling a bit grindy after taking up the bite.  The dealer said the fluid that came out of the clutch line and the slave cylinder was black and filthy, so that's probably why!

Just thought I'd mention it because it's well worth doing 

What dealership was this done at Pudding?

Inchcape Colchester mate.

I asked them to activate the ABS and do the clutch and the service advisor nodded like it was standard practice. 

I did a search on this subject a while back, and I found the info below from this site and VW are actually supposed to activate the ABS as standard practice.

When I collected the car, he said the fluid came out all black and nasty, and both pedals are markedly better, so they did a good job in my book!

Ive found some info in the technical manuals, it does say each caliper needs bleeding 5 times!! This ties in with what Maxitrol said.

Pre-bleed:
- Connect Brake filler/bleeder unit VAS 5234 .

Bleeding sequence:
1 - Bleed left front and right front brake caliper together
simultaneously
2 - Bleed left rear and right rear brake caliper together
simultaneously
- With bleeder bottle hoses attached, leave bleeder valves
open long enough that brake fluid exits without bubbles.

The hydraulic unit must be bled again with tester VAS
5051 via function "Basic settings" .

Initiate basic setting (to bleed brake system):
VAS 5051 , connecting and selecting functions 45-3,
Connecting Vehicle Diagnostic, Testing and Information
System VAS 5051 and selecting functions .

- Then bleed brake system

Bleeding (normal):
Adhere strictly to work sequence when bleeding brake
system.
- Connect Brake filler/bleeder unit VAS 5234 .
- Open bleeder valves in prescribed sequence and bleed
brake caliper.
1 - Left front brake caliper
2 - Right front brake caliper
3 - Left rear brake caliper
4 - Right rear brake caliper

Use suitable bleeder hose. It must fit tightly on bleeder
valve so that no air can enter brake system.

- With bleeder bottle hose attached, leave bleeder valve
open long enough that brake fluid exits without bubbles.

Subsequent bleeding
A second technician is required to assist:
- Depress brake pedal forcefully and hold.
- Open bleeder valve at brake caliper.
- Press brake pedal down onto stop.
- Close bleeder valve with pedal held down.
- Release brake pedal slowly.

This bleeding procedure must be performed 5 times
per brake caliper.

Bleeding sequence:
1 - Left front brake caliper
2 - Right front brake caliper
3 - Left rear brake caliper
4 - Right rear brake caliper

A road test must be performed after bleeding. During
this, at least one ABS regulation must be performed!

Jas

[pudding]

I'm going to say it again....a FVWSH is meaningless tosh!

 IMHO of course....

Only if the dealer is a crap one. 

[grey golfster]

I'm going to say it again....a FVWSH is meaningless tosh!

 IMHO of course....

Only if the dealer is a crap one.

Well, yes, of course....... Probably...
But then not all the mechanics at a specific dealer will be good, or bad. Even the good ones have bad days etc etc etc...

I was really referring to the "gold standard" that some folks believe exists when see a FVWSH car.

I'm with the above comments re trusted specialists,
and as for paying £149/hr to a VW stealer in London!?!

[pudding]

I'm going to say it again....a FVWSH is meaningless tosh!

 IMHO of course....

Only if the dealer is a crap one.

Well, yes, of course....... Probably...
But then not all the mechanics at a specific dealer will be good, or bad. Even the good ones have bad days etc etc etc...

I was really referring to the "gold standard" that some folks believe exists when see a FVWSH car.

I'm with the above comments re trusted specialists,
and as for paying £149/hr to a VW stealer in London!?!

I totally get it, and it frustrates me too that some people would turn down a great car, just because it doesn't have dealer stamps, or a wad of VW headed invoices.

It's unfortunately how Brits have been indoctrinated.  I think a lot of people believe franchised dealers are VW themselves and their car will serviced by the people who assembled it!

Some of it comes down to circumstance.  I'm lucky enough to have found a decent dealer that is a 5 min walk from work, and I get on with the parts people too.  My trusted indie is 150 miles away, so I don't get many opportunities to go up there.  Big jobs like suspension, clutches and mapping I always take to him.