Brake Fluid Flush 101: How, When, & Why! 

I think I'll always do maintenance on my own cars no matter how rich I get. No better feeling that fixing something that driving around town knowing you did it

Beautiful mustache Sir. So beautiful it made me cry a little. Thank you for sharing your mustache with our eyes.

My man! Loving this E46 service series :) You seem to be getting better with every single video, hope you keep it up :)

Great video, clear and concise instructions plus a bit of humor. Thanks

Loving this e46 series ! Can never be enough e46 content..

I love how you make car maintenance so simple

Great incisive video on how to correctly bleed the brakes using a pressure device. Exactly what I needed to flush my BMW e39 540i. Subscribed!

I like the way you did this video, 1st one ive seen. Show n tell perfectly!

Thanks for the how to!! I just completed my first flush using a similar bleeder kit!!

Great video as usual but this one is super good. It’s a quick step by step guide to doing brakes yourself. Can not improve on this video you covered everything. I’m so glad you talked about the fluid level vs brake wear at 6:50 it really helps letting as many people as possible know this. 👍

You did an excellent job on this video. Thanks!

Very clearly explained. Thanks!

way cool man. thank you. going to have mine changed today. I never knew it was necessary.

great video! Thanks for the info.

Like this video - straight to the point with good advice 👍

Great video. I use the same bleeding tool. Using this tool, I would recommend always bleed the clutch on a manual too. Works the same easy way. Cheers from Gemany, BMWs home country!

Wow man you made that job look so easy for a 1 man job, THANKS I love my BMW even more when I can do some of the work on it myself.

Thanks for the awesome video. Will be doing this soon.

WELL DONE BROTHER

When I bought my 3-Series, not only that my brake fluid was as dark as yours, but the whole system was clogged with big white chunks of deposits. It was probably never changed in 20 years. It took a lot of effort to clean the master cylinder, abs pump, and the pistons in the calipers.

keep up the hard work 👍

Excellent work, 5 star ..thanks

Thanks for the video! Just a thought, when you disconnect the silicone rubber connector at the brake bleeder nipple it causes a mess because the pressure in the collection bottle pushes the used brake fluid back up the collection hose. Instead, loosen the cap on the collection bottle after closing the brake bleeder to release the pressure without the danger of spewing brake fluid. Also with the loosened bottle cap the fluid in the drain hose will gravity drain back into the bottle when you pull the silicone connector off

Great video. Thanks!

I'm second! I liked knowing the part about bottle level. Now I know why.

Before anything, take a marker and mark the current fluid level. Then at the end, fill it ti that level so you know it’s not over full.

Thanks, great info.

I have had the same fluid since 2008 - brakes work perfectly... I might change it for fun one day... but it gives me the impression, it's going to last another 10 years yet.

Great video

Really enjoy your content ! Straight to the point , informative and I can tell you pay attention to detail. Going to try this on my 528i E39.... would you mind telling me all the tools used for this brother? Do i need to buy the pumps? I am def looking forward to more videos and content with help my E39! lol

Couple of comments. First, I admire your tools! Second, You mention that brake fluid absorbs moisture. This is true and the propensity to absorb moisture increases as the DOT rating increases - Dot 2, 3 and 4. The reason moisture in the fluid is bad is because it will eventually corrode/rust the internals of the braking system. i.e., result in rusted and frozen calipers and/or slave cylinders, and even the master cylinder. Finally, when I bleed a brake system I compress the calipers and/or slave cylinders to remove as much old fluid as possible. Thanks for your posting.

Very informative video - I'll keep this one open till I'm ready to change brake fluid! On the pressurized collection bottle problem - is there any reason that bottle should be pressurized? would it work better if you leave the cap of the collection bottle a little loose?

knocking it out of the park bud. FYI, only england and old english territories drive on the left, all other european countries also drive on the right like we do. Hell, you have a lot of days off! I love it! That bmw is going to be better than new when you're done with it

Its funny how much auto maintenance knowledge my father shared with me from his decade+ of working on cars professionally (also from his lifelong hobby of working on cars and bikes). It has allowed me to do most if not all the work on any of the cars I've owned with great success. The money I've saved from troubleshooting my own vehicles and the time we've got to spend working on cars together has been irreplaceable. The one thing that truly baffles me is for years he was adamant that no matter what, brake fluid is not a consumable. So long as you do your brakes correctly and don't introduce air into the system, brake fluid doesn't go bad. He actually refused to help when I told him I was just going to bite the bullet on the next brake job and flush out the fluid for some fresh because "I was in for more trouble that it was worth". He's a great mechanic and knows how to work on anything so the brake fluid episode from nearly 20 years ago just baffles me...he changes the shit out on his motorcycles religiously so I don't know where the caveat with cars applies in his mind and he ain't telling, lol.

Very clear and concise lesson. Thanks.

I was here from the begging with another Harry Balls account(yt ban me lol) i said it then, glad i find it, this channel is awesome, you will get 100k in a no time for sure. Great editing skills in this one 😁

Great video on a badly overlooked maintenance. If your hard up for cash and don't want to spring for this tool, Auto parts who have these will rent the pump to you and refund your money back once returned. Man, the times we live in. See how he has the towels where he works, brake fluid is an effective paint stripper. If yo do spill on paint, Soapy Wooder, sorry, soapy water, is best. I like to open bleed screws and push fluid out there when pushing pistons in, instead of back through the system so they get some new fluid in the system after declining a system flush, unless it has fresh fluid already of course. Older GMs were bad about the old fluid messing up the ABS unit valves. Remember the days when all we had was little test strips before the electronic moisture detectors, one end for brake fluid the other for coolant? I still have some, LOL.

Brake Fluid: you can depend it leaking out when you service it. MUST HAVE ON HAND: Blue shop towels, old torn tshirts, ETC. You cant skip the dry air test. You can figure out what adapter o-ring works best. Pressure up to 12psi. 15 psi is gonna bust the typical 7 year old car seals.

Greetings from Canada

Good info

Thanks

Thanks!

informative personal~

I wish I could use one of those pressurized bottles, I have the old school square style one that you take off the metal lid, 1974 Oldsmobile Toronado

Afte watching few minutes I noticed the thumbnail. I'm still here, but I have to ask, thank you for not sucking on the bleeder calves.

When should you bleed the breaks, After or before changing calipers,drums,rotors? Or all? Does it damage the new caliper when bleeding the breaks after?

Also wear safety googles. They look goofy and ugly but if that fluid gets in your eyes you may find yourself in the emergency room. Also watch when you take that hose off so the spray doesn't go everywhere. Brake fluid is bad for your paint. I am not sure how bad DOT 4 is vs DOT 3 but I know either one is poisonous and corrosive. It is not corrosive as in "I'm melting" but it is not good for you or your paint! I have no idea how bad modern brake fluids are on paint but I do know don't get it on there and if you do, get a wet sponge or rag and wipe it up quick. Also treat it like coolant and don't let your pets lick any of it if it spills. I like to let my cats roam outside but I am cautious when I do my brakes not to let them near and to watch them more closely if they get near so they don't lick any. It has a bittering agent but I would not trust it to stop them from consuming a harmful dose since it does not take a lot.

Great video, you look like my buddy named Pete he is a mechanic as well; same thick mustache

Good story line

I have heard from someone recently who had their car at the dealer for service. Service manager recommended fluid flush and the owner said he had never heard of this in 40 years of owning vehicles. I think with leases you probably never get to the point where the fluid is compromised enough initially. When that ABS module goes out you will wish you had the fluid flushed. They are not cheap to replace since most need proprietary (dealer) software to function for specific vehicles.

Do you need to pump the air frequently or is once enough? Cheers

3:29... For all of you who say you will never use the 9 mm in a wrench/socket set...lol That's not the only place... you'll need a 9 mm on some cars to hold the piston in place on a McPherson strut.. that's also a 9 mm...☝️

I would like to see you do clutch bleed. I have an e46 manual and need to get it done on my car. Would like to see your tricks.

I never suck fluid out of the master cyl. I just use a 1 man bleed kit and trust me, that master cyl will go low plenty fast. Pump and fill, pump and fill. Works like a charm.

Thanks for another informative video. I saw in your other recent videos that you jack up the E46 in the centre of the sill area to place jack stands both front and rear at the same time. Does the E46 have a jack pad in the centre as well? My two E36's only has jack pads front and rear. I got to get myself a bleeding tool like yours, my wife just runs when she hears me calling from the garage to come pump the brake pedal.

Dude! Your ‘stash game is so good, it looks fake 🎉🎉🎉🎉

30 psi?! That's about TWICE the recommendation. Whomever is reading this, do NOT push 30psi through your brake lines.

mandatory wrench drop.. sometimes multiple drops are required

One day can you make a video of your camera gear and how you set up everything in order to film? Also where can I get that type of hood camera stand that you used for the engine shots in the other videos?

Hi. so i noticed my brake pedal a bit stiff after i refilled my brake fluids but did not bleed the brakes. Would this be the main cause of a stiff brake pedal? thanks

Can you do a video on checking/changing the fan clutch, as these are common failure points and most people don’t realise it’s reverse thread etc.....

Thanks for the vid! Should I do the brake fluid flush before or after I change my pads and rotors?

Dropped a like👍 Most of Europe have LHD cars and drive on the right btw

Did you ever take a moisture sample from the caliper bleed port after letting some fluid out then take the sample? If so what was the moisture content then? Does moisture that gets absorbed by the fluid at its weak point, the cap area, then transfer down thru the lines like a worm? Or do you think that the moisturized fluid stays up mostly in the reservoir area?

Excellent video!!! A brill tool to service the braking system!!! But please remember that brake fluid is a very toxic liquid!!!! Will take the paint off your car before you can say shit!!!! Regards Ian 👨‍🎤🇳🇿👍

I never use a fluid tester cuz there is one overlooked flaw: water sinks in brake fluid. So way before the tester will even indicate the presence of moisture in the master cylinder, water present in the system will have already sunk to the lowest point, which is at the calipers. I as a rule change out the fluid on a time basis regardless of what the tester shows me.

Nice one.. Not just for the car ,,,motorbike well ..I was wondering why my motorbike's brakes failed when it got to hot..Thnx

I find that compressing the calipers while the bleeder is open and removing the fluid from thr caliper cylinders is a good idea. That fluid needs to be replaced and will not if you don't compress the calipers.

a tip for you though drill a small hole at least 2mm on the cap of that catch bottle so You dont pressurize it when using the pressure bleeder so You avoid 3:46

I have one of those bottles but the cap that goes onto the reservoir wouldn't seal and I got fluid seep out and food the area.

I'd recommend using a clear tube

How much old dirty brake fluid was left in your ABS modulator? On ABS cars they tell us to exercise those channels/valves with a bidirectional scan tool to flush those out too without introducing air bubbles in there. Overall the system should be fairly well sealed and should not let water in, almost as hermetically as AC refrigerant circuit?

Cheers! Question: Will this flush the ABS pump as well? Meaning no need to run the pump manually through the procedure with the diagnostic tool?

My Acura recently went for a 20k mile service and was told it needed a brake flush. I was surprised as this is the 4th Acura MDX I’ve had and never been recommended this before even though each vehicle has reached 35+K in three years. The way I use the car and location has not changed. I question where it needs changing yet? Any advice or thoughts?

Straight out Valvoline DOT4 was already at 2% what's your experience with fresh fluid?

Bow chicka bow wow brake flush

Thought he was talking to me because my names Alec. I was shook

I’ve been starting to work on my car myself, is this concept the same for most cars? Sorry if that question is dumb lol I have a 2015 camaro and I’ve had it for about 3 years but I have not yet had a brake service done especially from Chevy dealers cause it’s expensive lol but I do wanna try myself, just a tad nervous I’ll screw it up.

most of europe is actually LHD, only the brits are RHD. so its mostly the same for all of the procedure.

I have a question, is there any way you can link those tools in the comments and @ me? I want to purchase them for use

dont need to use the diagnostics to bleed ABS/DSC module?

I believe there is a step to pump the brake 3 times and hold down to get all the fluid bleeded out.

Could we get one for the coolant system? :)

will this procedure work for hybrid car?

That catch bottle should be vented properly so it isn't being pressurized.

He didn't test the new fluid to show the device is good or bad...overall, great video!!

I couldn't get past the Cheech Marin mustache.

are you not supposed to pump the brakes when draining?

I put power steering fluid in my brake fluid what should I do lol

When you change the brake pads, shouldnt you be competent enough to keep an eye on the brake fluid reservoir, and drain as necessary?

What if one never change the brake fluid for the last 10 years, and there are seem to be No brake failures, given that there are No leaks in the brake system?

Service the brakes first, then bleed. That way you don't have to remove and waste new clean break fluid.

How accurate are those amazon pens really?

Does this affect the clutch pedal also?

I won't change and flush the brake fluid if the paddle does not feel spongy. I only replace the brake fluid in the reservor with DOT 4, NOT DOT 3.

What you said is right, but the tester may be a trash. Dip it into new brake fluid it would be the same

There are reviews on Amazon stating that this tool reads even new brake fluid as bad.

If it doesn’t exactly change drivability of the car, why do it?

my brakes are soft---is that becuse I have ignored this DRAIN /FLUSH BRAKE FLUID notification?