Bleeding brakes

[Paul_zx6r]

Fitted a complete r32 setup on my car this weekend and the brake pedal goes straight to the floor, I've bled the system about 4 times and there's no air bubbles coming out of the bleed nipples, anyone got any ideas what the problem could be?

[bacillus]

Did the master cylinder empty of fluid?  If so you will need vcds to do an abs bleed.

[th3_f15t]

I have the exact same problem. The issue is you now have air inside your lines and ABS pump, as mentioned above. Be careful you don't get air into the clutch cylinder as it's a dual system on modern cars.

The official VW way to bleed the system is mostly at the reservoir and then finish off at each caliper. You'll be best to get it towed to a main dealer or VW specialist independent and have a full brake fluid change as they will purge the system fully. I'm having my car towed to AmD Tuning to rest of the work carried out. If I had VCDS and a reservoir bleeder I'd of dine it all myself, lesson learnt for next time I guess.

[Paul_zx6r]

Did the master cylinder empty of fluid?  If so you will need vcds to do an abs bleed.

no the master cylinder never emptied, I was very conscious of checking all the time

[Paul_zx6r]

I have the exact same problem. The issue is you now have air inside your lines and ABS pump, as mentioned above. Be careful you don't get air into the clutch cylinder as it's a dual system on modern cars.

The official VW way to bleed the system is mostly at the reservoir and then finish off at each caliper. You'll be best to get it towed to a main dealer or VW specialist independent and have a full brake fluid change as they will purge the system fully. I'm having my car towed to AmD Tuning to rest of the work carried out. If I had VCDS and a reservoir bleeder I'd of dine it all myself, lesson learnt for next time I guess.

aww great, did you pay much to get it sorted?

[jason_rmh]

Did you bleed the clutch also?
See the guide here

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/wiki/brake-fluid-and-clutch-bleeding-and-flush-mk5-vw/

Jas

[skard]

Were they new or used discs and pads?

Have you road tested it?

[th3_f15t]

I'm still awaiting getting it sorted. If you can still change gear smoothly then you shouldn't need to bleed the couch, not sure whether this gets done in a full brake fluid change + bleed.

[Paul_zx6r]

Were they new or used discs and pads?

Have you road tested it?

they were new pads but used discs

I have road tested it and can change gear fine but have no breaks unless I pump them up

[Paul_zx6r]

Did you bleed the clutch also?
See the guide here

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/wiki/brake-fluid-and-clutch-bleeding-and-flush-mk5-vw/

Jas

thanks for the guide, I didn't bleed the clutch, I've taken it down the road and it changes gear fine so not sure if there's air in that part

[Andy]

had the same issues--i road tested it and bled the master cylinder and bled the brakes 4 times till they were right

[Paul_zx6r]

had the same issues--i road tested it and bled the master cylinder and bled the brakes 4 times till they were right

Were the calipers free from bubbles the first time you bleed them before road testing it and bleeding the master cylinder?

[jason_rmh]

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

[Andy]

There was still air in mine on the first road test I did and were the same as yours...

[jason_rmh]

Paul, did you get this sorted? I'll be doing the same thing soon.
Jas