I need to know how to bleed the brake system

PARISS333

MEMBER
2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA
52,300 MILES

I have two cars and I need to know how to bleed the brake system, how to change brake fluid by myself before any thing happen, to be prepared?
I heard about gravity bleeding, how is this and does it work or not?
I heard it need to use a scan tool for bleeding, I don't have it, I just bough two scan code, those little one selling on Amazon, I don't know if it work.

9 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,700 POSTS

As far as gravity fed, yes it works. You open the bleeder at the wheel cylinder or caliper and the fluid will come out. However, it will run the master cylinder dry, so make sure to keep it full all the time. As far as a scan tool, I never heard of that.

This guide should help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-bleed-or-flush-a-car-brake-system

Scan tools are made to open the ABS valves to get all of the air out. This will need to be done at a shop it should cost about $85.00

Let me know if you have other questions.

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Wednesday, August 14th, 2013 AT 8:29 PM

PARISS333

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8 POSTS

Elantra is 2008, I bough it on January 2009, that's the one I would like to do it, has 52400 miles. Also, the reason I want to know how to do it is because I don't know when calipers goes bad, or any brake hose and then I don't know what to do.
About the Gravity way, if I open the bleeder in any way, it doesn't absorb air?
I heard and read on Kia and Hyundai website to push brake pedal several time and hold the last one with some thing, then go and open de bleeder and close, then do it again until no air or fluid come out clean, of course adding new in the reservoir, is this ok? It will not hurt the master seals?
The last : I read about cars with ABS need to use scan tool or will get problems.
I appreciate your reply and teaching, thank you very much.

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Friday, August 16th, 2013 AT 6:28 PM

PARISS333

MEMBER
8 POSTS

Hey, I forgot another issue: My Elantra suppose to replace fuel filter at this miles, and Dealer don't do it, they just want you pump broke to replace the whole thing.
Can you tell me how to replace fuel filter? Is inside the tank, by rear seat. Thank you

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Friday, August 16th, 2013 AT 6:34 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,700 POSTS

If you gravity feed it, no air will get in the system. However, if you pump the brakes with the bleeder open, it will suck air when you release the brake pedal.

As far as pumping the brakes first, that is how to bleed them too. Pump the brake, keep pressure on the brake pedal and have a helper open the bleeder on the wheel cylinder or caliper, which ever you are working with. When the bleeder is opened, the brake pedal will go to the floor and brake fluid will shoot out the open bleeder. Once the pedal hits the floor, hold it there and have your helper close the bleeder. At that point, you can release the brake pedal and do it again if there is air in the system. Keep in mind, until you open the system, there is no air in it.

As far as doing this, the car is still somewhat new and shouldn't need any brake lines or hoses. The calipers should be fine too unless they are sticking or there is some other problem is present. The fluid should still be clean. I know some shops recommend doing this, but I feel it is nothing but a money maker for them. I wouldn't do it unless the brake fluid is visually dirty.

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Friday, August 16th, 2013 AT 6:36 PM

PARISS333

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8 POSTS

Beautiful answer. Thank you. Brake oil on Elantra still look clean, so do you think it will hold for ten years? I don't brake too much, still have 60 % and most hwy drive.
What about the fuel filter, even in the manual is recommended to replace at 52.000 miles, but the Dealer don't do it, they don't care what the manual says?
Can you tell me about transmission filter? Dealer doesn't replace either, they do back flush and I heard is hurt transmission, so people recommend on youtuve replace transmission filter and don't put attention to Dealer. Thank you very much for all your help.

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Sunday, August 18th, 2013 AT 3:51 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,700 POSTS

As far as the brake fluid, it should be fine. I have a 35 year old truck that has never had the brake system flushed. I'm not saying there aren't times it could use done, but usually it doesn't. Make sure it is clean. That is your best defense against problems. If it is clean, let it go. My mechanics teacher always said, "If it isn't broke, don't fix it." That was a long time ago, but it still sticks in my mind.

As far as the fuel filter, that is a maintenance item that I would recommend you have changed. Also, the trans fluid should be changed. I always recommend ever 30K miles for transmission fluid and filter. And I agree with you. I feel the filter should be changed. New fluid has a detergent in it. What happens is the new fluid cleans the dirt out of the old filter and then you have dirty fluid again. Keep in mind, when you service the transmission by removing the trans pan, you don't get all the fluid out of it. However, that is the way it has been done for years.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe

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Sunday, August 18th, 2013 AT 8:29 PM

PARISS333