A6 / S6 (C5 Platform) Discussion Discussion forum for the C5 Audi A6 and S6 produced from 1998-2004

Flushing brake system, bleeding master cylinder and ABS pump (w/ ESP)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-05-2012, 10:35 AM
  #11  
AudiWorld Newcomer
 
YzRacer212's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for the writeup! I tackled this job myself yesterday and today and ran into a little trouble when my pressure bleeder pushed an air bubble through. I ended up using a combination of the pressure bleeder (with 29psi) and cycling though the test in VCDS. It took over a quart of fluid to get all the bubbles out, some of them were very deep in the system so I had to let a lot of fluid purge before I saw the bubbles. The ABS light remained on but I had a solid pedal so I took it for a drive and the light went out, everything is working fine now!

I had tried using the ABS basic settings to set off the pump, but that didn't work, I ended up going through the output test where you press and release the pedal and it checks each wheel. Moral of the story it to take your time, avoid air bubbles, and if you get one be patient while purging them out.
Old 04-17-2012, 03:22 AM
  #12  
Audiworld Junior Member
 
Timwa Tumble's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: South West UK
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

do you need to login to do this basic setting. if so is it the login for the car or the one you use for doing the steering wheel set up?
Old 04-23-2012, 08:21 AM
  #13  
AudiWorld Newcomer
 
YzRacer212's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Timwa Tumble
do you need to login to do this basic setting. if so is it the login for the car or the one you use for doing the steering wheel set up?
I did not have to login, but the basic setting did not work for me. I went through the output test step by step while it actuated the pump and all the valves.
Old 04-30-2012, 02:16 PM
  #14  
Audiworld Junior Member
 
Timwa Tumble's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: South West UK
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

basic setting did not work for me either. how do you do the output test?
Old 05-07-2012, 06:54 AM
  #15  
AudiWorld Newcomer
 
YzRacer212's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Redneck Truck
When I disassembled my right rear caliper I lost a lot of fluid and I think air got into the master from the top. After a lot of bleeding with a pressure bleeder and by hand, but I've still got a spongy pedal. I'm aware of how to use VAG COM basic settings to bleed the ABS pump, but I'm not aware of any special procedures for the ESP, and I don't know how to bleed the master cylinder. Could anybody make/find me a brief writeup on the job?
Just make sure your pressure bleeder is full, and I also went to the effort of getting all the air out of the pressure bleeder tube, so that only fluid would be going into the master cylinder. I used up to 29 psi and up to 2 quarts of fluid.
Old 01-24-2013, 05:02 PM
  #16  
Audiworld Junior Member
 
dcaron9999's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by YzRacer212
Just make sure your pressure bleeder is full, and I also went to the effort of getting all the air out of the pressure bleeder tube, so that only fluid would be going into the master cylinder. I used up to 29 psi and up to 2 quarts of fluid.
How did you prevent air from going through your power bleeder tube - did you fill the tank with fluid, then fill the tube itself? How did you manage to then screw the bleeder lid top the fluid reservoir without spilling?

Im up to my third brake bleed, and two bedding sessions. I still have a soft pedal, with too much travel. No leaks anywhere. Brand new pads and rotors.
Old 01-24-2013, 05:38 PM
  #17  
AudiWorld Super User
 
jcman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 2,700
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default This member is probably long gone by now

Originally Posted by dcaron9999
How did you prevent air from going through your power bleeder tube - did you fill the tank with fluid, then fill the tube itself? How did you manage to then screw the bleeder lid top the fluid reservoir without spilling?

Im up to my third brake bleed, and two bedding sessions. I still have a soft pedal, with too much travel. No leaks anywhere. Brand new pads and rotors.
Time warp questions from May of 2012 get very few replies
Old 01-28-2013, 01:18 AM
  #18  
AudiWorld Newcomer
 
YzRacer212's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by dcaron9999
How did you prevent air from going through your power bleeder tube - did you fill the tank with fluid, then fill the tube itself? How did you manage to then screw the bleeder lid top the fluid reservoir without spilling?

Im up to my third brake bleed, and two bedding sessions. I still have a soft pedal, with too much travel. No leaks anywhere. Brand new pads and rotors.
It has been a while since I have been on here, and a while since I did the job! If I recall correctly, I was able to mostly fill the reservoir, then connect the power bleeder. I believe I was somehow able to apply a little pressure, and release a couple of times. When new fluid flows into the reservoir, I was able to get the air to come up the power bleeder tube. Eventually I would have the air bubbles all locate far upstream on the tube or even all gone into the bleeder tank. Once that was squared away, I could apply some good pressure with no fear of inducing any air into the system.

Any air induced into the system can be difficult to remove, as well as frustrating. It took me almost 2 quarts to get the air out, probably because I didn't take my time to start with.
Old 01-28-2013, 10:00 AM
  #19  
Audiworld Junior Member
 
dcaron9999's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by YzRacer212
It has been a while since I have been on here, and a while since I did the job! If I recall correctly, I was able to mostly fill the reservoir, then connect the power bleeder. I believe I was somehow able to apply a little pressure, and release a couple of times. When new fluid flows into the reservoir, I was able to get the air to come up the power bleeder tube. Eventually I would have the air bubbles all locate far upstream on the tube or even all gone into the bleeder tank. Once that was squared away, I could apply some good pressure with no fear of inducing any air into the system.

Any air induced into the system can be difficult to remove, as well as frustrating. It took me almost 2 quarts to get the air out, probably because I didn't take my time to start with.
Nice technique. Will definitely give this a try next time.

I think I actually solved my problem. The brake booster pushrod (sitting behind the brake pedal) needed a little adjustment, to allow it to exert longer stroke into brake booster. My allroad now stops after 1.5 inch pedal travel and what seems like less pedal effort.
Old 01-15-2014, 12:31 PM
  #20  
AudiWorld Super User
 
Airbag's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: In my Garage
Posts: 2,337
Received 75 Likes on 74 Posts
Default

another post to keep this one fresh and an additional question ..

I bleed my brakes every year and add new fluid . i put a master in about 4 years ago just because i as doing so much brake work at the time and the car has 400,000km on it.

So the problem now is everytime i get in and start the car the pedal goes right to the floor when i press on it to take it out of park. a coupleof pumps and its back up and is fine for weeks , sometimes if it is reeally cold out it will do it again , always good once i pump it back up for the rest of that trip. not spongy at all just goes to the floor until i pump it up ..

bad master ? thoughts ? again i bleed every single year alternating between gold and blue with no bubles ...


Quick Reply: Flushing brake system, bleeding master cylinder and ABS pump (w/ ESP)



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:48 PM.