Brake fluid overfilled - how do I remove?
02-09-2019, 02:36 AM
#1
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Brake fluid overfilled - how do I remove?
Just got done bleeding my brakes using the Motive Power Bleeder (excellent tool) and somehow the brake fluid reservoir has become overfilled. What is the best way to evacuate the excess fluid from the reservoir? I noticed there is a plastic filter over the opening of the reservoir which doesn’t seem to come out in order to insert a pump or syringe of some sort in there. Is there any way to get this out?
Any pointers would be helpful
cheers
Any pointers would be helpful
cheers
02-09-2019, 03:04 AM
#2
You can try to remove the screen by prying with eyeglasses screwdrivers. If you can't, then just hook up an empty bleeder and open one of the bleeder valves to let some fluid out.
02-09-2019, 05:21 AM
#3
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
when you say empty bleeder, do you mean hook up the motive bleeder without any fluid and pressurize? Won’t that introduce air into the system?
02-09-2019, 07:50 AM
#4
Rennlist Member
Not if you don't let the level in the master cylinder get that low. In fact this is the way I use my Motive bleeder, dry. Just hook it up to the master like normal, pressurize, then go to any one calliper and bleed a little fluid off until the level in the master is correct.
02-09-2019, 09:46 AM
#7
Rennlist Member
I keep a few of something like these around the garage, they are invaluable for various fluid projects:
But in a pinch a turkey baster will work. Just be aware that it will drip all over so put lots of towels down. As you probably know, brake fluid eats paint.
One other tip that I learned from someone years ago...clean up brake fluid with Denatured Alcohol rather than using brake cleaner. I put it in a spray bottle. It works great and does not eat up plastic/rubber tubing (like your motive bleeder and syringes) like brake cleaner would. It also works great to clean brake dust and stuff off Porsche brake calipers without marring the powder coating.
But in a pinch a turkey baster will work. Just be aware that it will drip all over so put lots of towels down. As you probably know, brake fluid eats paint.
One other tip that I learned from someone years ago...clean up brake fluid with Denatured Alcohol rather than using brake cleaner. I put it in a spray bottle. It works great and does not eat up plastic/rubber tubing (like your motive bleeder and syringes) like brake cleaner would. It also works great to clean brake dust and stuff off Porsche brake calipers without marring the powder coating.
Trending Topics
02-09-2019, 09:57 AM
#8
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I keep several turkey basters around for this purpose.
They’re only $1 from Dollar Tree.
They’re only $1 from Dollar Tree.
02-09-2019, 11:44 AM
#11
Rennlist Member
No turkey B use a shop paper towel to absorb a smallish amount.
If more than a paper towel full head to dollar store or your favorite super market.
If more than a paper towel full head to dollar store or your favorite super market.
02-09-2019, 12:00 PM
#13
Drifting
I use a large plastic syringe. Around here you can get them at farm supply stores inexpensively.
+1 for turkey basters too. I have two, one for brake fluid and one for coolant. I store them in empty gallon water jugs, which are also good storage containers for the waste fluids. I have found that a zip tie around the rubber bulb can help the parts stay connected though. Prior to that I had problems with the bulb separating from the plastic tube.
+1 for turkey basters too. I have two, one for brake fluid and one for coolant. I store them in empty gallon water jugs, which are also good storage containers for the waste fluids. I have found that a zip tie around the rubber bulb can help the parts stay connected though. Prior to that I had problems with the bulb separating from the plastic tube.
02-09-2019, 12:04 PM
#14
Drifting
One other tip that I learned from someone years ago...clean up brake fluid with Denatured Alcohol rather than using brake cleaner. I put it in a spray bottle. It works great and does not eat up plastic/rubber tubing (like your motive bleeder and syringes) like brake cleaner would. It also works great to clean brake dust and stuff off Porsche brake calipers without marring the powder coating.
02-09-2019, 05:54 PM
#15
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the tips everyone. I have a fluid pump here which I willl try first assuming I can get the mesh out without damaging it. I assume it can be removed? Failing that I will try the empty bleeder. Thinking out aloud I actually need to go back and re-bleed one caliper as one of the nipples is rounded and needs to be replaced so that should take care of it. That’s a good tip, and I will remember it for the future.