Question:

I'm getting ready to bleed the brakes on the 01 I30 tonight and wanted to do a little bit of snooping first... make sure there isn't something special I have to do for the ABS, etc... (Is there? I can't find anything...)

One thing I keep reading is "Don't let the reservoir run dry or you'll have big troubles" or "... or you're in for a lot more work."

Nobody ever goes into what you have to do if that happens. Is it just a matter of starting over and bleeding everything all over again?

 

Most brake work usually involves simply replacing rotors and pads which, if done properly, doesn't require you to bleed the brakes because you haven't introduced any air into that closed system. Now if you let the brake fluid reservoir drop too low air potentially gets in and then you're faced with a longer job because you now have to bleed all four lines.

Why are you bleeding the brakes by the way?

 

Well, two reasons really. I had planned to flush and replace the brake fluid when I did the pads and rotors because it was pretty dark looking, and I know it's been about 50K since it's been replaced. However, I had to replace both rear calipers due to seizing so now it's a gotta instead of a wanna.

 

Well, then you have no choice. Bleed them and be done with it. At this point you have to.

 

Agreed.

However my question remains -- what is the procedure if the reservoir is accidentally run dry? I came VERY close to doing it last night with the rears -- close enough that I may have sucked air through it.

 

Brake fluid is Hydroscopic by nature (absorbs water). It should be changed at every brake job to maintain the system internals. The moisture it gradually absorbs over time also reduces it's boiling point.

Changing the brake fluid is one of the most overlooked maintenance tasks on most cars.

 

The procedure is that you fill the resevoir and then bleed the brakes. You just want to ensure that no air is in the system.

 

Nothing to worry about if you run the reservoir dry, the only thing that will result is that u will have to start the bleeding process all over again since you introduced air into the system. Nothing special about it except it'll take you more fluid/time to complete the job.

 

you should always bleed the brakes after doing maintenance. You should be opening the bleeder valves when compressing the piston. It is not a good idea to force fluid backwards through the ABS pump. Probably won't hurt it but it still is not a good idea. If you have high mileage, try not to press the pedal to the floor during bleeding, you make the master cyclinder go to untraveled rough places in the bore that usually ruin the seals.

 

True enough but most people don't because they are scared of the process. I was just interested in the OP's reasons.

 

Speed bleeders make the process a snap for one person....