Anybody out there use any of they gadgets available to change brake/clutch fluid in Protégés? Last time I changed the fluid it was pain in the *** to get all the air out of the system. I used a big funnel and a friend to loosen and unloosen the bleeder valves. I had to drive the car few days before I could finally get all the air out of the system, cause I guess I got air in the master cylinder some where. In the garage we use to have this big container that looked like a bug sprayer thing that would push fluid though the system with a pump air free. It screwed to the top of the master cylinder. Any suggestions on or where to get brake fluid change equipment or experiences appreciated.
Thanks

 

I’ve never had a good experience with speed bleeders. As was the case I believe from a recent thread on this forum on the subject of speed bleeders. I’ve got the bleeding part down I’m just looking for a device for changing the fluid in the entire system that makes the process more efficient with out letting air in during the exchange. In the motorcycle world we use a big syringe to push fluid though the system and then a sealed bottle to suck fluid back though so that the system is full of new fluid and no air gets in. Works so well you usually have to bleed off a little fluid.

 

www.miata.net/products/pmisc/motive_bleeder.html

 

This is exactly what I was looking for:

See all the info at this site: http://www.motiveproducts.com/additional_info.htm
Thanks

 

what you are looking for is called a PRESURE BLEEDER....the pic above is one.....you can get them from many tool companies such as SNAP-ON or others that cater to the automotive maintenance professional. its a matter of how much do you want to pay...and how often will you really use it to justify the cost.

seems to me....if the one above works well at all....all you would really need to do is go to any garden store and buy a bug sprayer and then find the correct top to adapt to the top of the resivoirs.....good luck.

 

Anybody know how to completely change the fluid in an ABS brake system, or does the dealer have to do this?

 

Actually, that's not a bad idea. I'm sure you read before that many lower cost vehicles (Protege) come with over aggressive stock ABS systems. The Protege is one of them. Since I switched to the Racing Beat springs from the Eibach springs, I've noticed that the front end hasn't kit the bump stops once yet. The ride and handling is much improved on rough road surfaces, which there are plenty of in the Chicago area. One side benefit I've noticed is I haven't gotten the occasional ABS kicking in on dry but rough road surfaces. With the Eibachs, I'd get the ABS kicking in every now and then when braking on rough, but dry, roads. I think that's why Speed Channel (Vision) banned ABS in the World Challenge Touring series. Only a few of the cars came with ABS systems suitable for racing. Maybe pulling the ABS fuse during the summer and putting it back during winter would work?

 

so did you disconnect the abs? i'd like to know how it changed the feel of the brakes. thanks

 

if they only allowed you to turn the abs on and off when you want to...................
i never really felt i needed the abs but I guess there is no harm in having it. i never slam on my brakes and lock up the wheels anyways especially in harsh conditions. but i like to know that i can and FEEL the brakes working. whereas the abs kinda vibrates under hard braking. i don't know if i'm describing the feeling currectly. this is the first car i ever driven with abs.

 

Seeing how some of you have done this already, how did you get all the fluid out of the clutch system? My old car has a cable clutch so I never have had to worry about it before. I have a pressure bleeder and have bled brakes many times before so I am assuming ther must be a bleed valve down there somewhere, but I don't have my repair manual yet so I don't know where. Any info you can share would be greatly appreciated. Also, how much fluid did you go through to flush the whole system, brakes and clutch?
Thanks-Karl

 

There is a clutch cylinder (known as the "slave" cylinder) located on the transmission. On my 99 (which has a slightly different tranny than a 2001) it is located on the front side of the tranny, next to the engine and right behind the radiator. It will be cylindrical, about 4" long, and there will be a bleeder screw on it. It will have an accordion-looking rubber boot on one end (this covers the hole in the tranny for the clutch actuating lever).

It should be bled just like a brake line, and I assume you know how to do that since you have a pressure bleeder

 

Thanks for the info carguycw- mine is in the same spot you described. Of course I could have just followed the line from the reservoir down to the clutch... But why think when you can just ask!