How much brake fluid to I need for my '97?

[pothole]

Changing the fluid for an upcoming track day, what quantity do I need?

Thanks

[RandallNeighbour]

I typically use about 1 1/2 liters of this stuff for a full flush:

Amazon.com: ATE 706202 Original TYP 200 DOT 4 Brake Fluid - 1 Liter: Automotive

If you don't have a Motive power bleeder, pick one up. Best thing ever. No more yelling the following at your wife or kid: "pump the brake!" and "hold the pedal to the floor, you idiot!"

BTW, this stuff comes in blue and gold, or at least it used to come in blue and gold. If you can find the blue stuff and the gold stuff, buy two cans of each. You can then flush your system with a contrasting color to what you have in it and when gold turns blue you know you've fully bled that line.

Have you bled brakes on a car before?

[steved0x]

I'm using the ATE Super Blue right now but the fluid Randall suggests is going in before my next track day for a flush (alternating between blue and gold lets you see when the old fluid is out. I use only a single liter and always have some extra left at the end). I've got the bleeder, and I wish I had sprung the little extra for the "Black label" version which comes with a metal cap (instead of plastic), a longer hose, and a swivel. I didn't know what I was missing until I bought the Miata adapter and somehow got the "Black label" version which had those extra conveniences. Interestingly, the Porsche adapter fits the clutch master cylinder size for the Miata as well, double bonus

I had to recruit the kids to do the "pump, release, hold, etc..." on a couple cars because I couldn't get the Motive universal adapter to hold pressure, which makes it even more wonderful to use Porsche adapter

This is the one I have (and it does work just fine)
Motive Products European Brake Bleeder 0100

If I could have a do-over I would get this one instead:
Black Label European Brake Bleeder

Steve

[pothole]

Paying someone else to do this job (do most stuff myself). How much do I need to supply them? 1.5l?

[steved0x]

Originally Posted by pothole

Paying someone else to do this job (do most stuff myself). How much do I need to supply them? 1.5l?

I paid the first time because even though I already had the bleeder and the fluid, I had to have it done that day for a track day inspection and didn't want to chance it if I had trouble as I had never bled brakes before this. I supplied 1 liter and got some back at the end. That was my first flush with the super blue which I guess made it easier for the mechanic to see exactly when the old stuff was out.

If you do other work on the car then you probably would have no trouble doing this. An 11 mm box wrench, the bleeder, and some (well dang it can't remember the size) tubing and you will be all set!

You could give 2 L to the mechanic just in case but I bet the 2nd L wouldn't get opened.

Steve

[pothole]

Don't have a bleeder! Don't even know what it is!

[eicheldp]

Very timely thread, I was planning on doing a flush myself prior to the spring thaw.

I have records that show my brake fluid was flushed 8 years ago by a dealer in Florida (prior to my ownership) I don't think it has been done since. Any idea what color Porsche brake fluid is?

I have been having trouble finding the Blue ATE fluid, but I'll use the gold if I can't find it. Anybody have a source for the Blue?

[steved0x]

I believe the blue can only be sold "for off road use only" and there are some for sale on eBay, and possibly some others. I got mine from MAPerformance.com but they don't seem to have it anymore. It is getting harder to find.

Steve

[LAP1DOUG]

Originally Posted by eicheldp

Very timely thread, I was planning on doing a flush myself prior to the spring thaw.

I have records that show my brake fluid was flushed 8 years ago by a dealer in Florida (prior to my ownership) I don't think it has been done since. Any idea what color Porsche brake fluid is?

I have been having trouble finding the Blue ATE fluid, but I'll use the gold if I can't find it. Anybody have a source for the Blue?

From what I understand, the US Government recently outlawed selling the blue stuff even for off road use, so you can't find it any more. It sure is great that we have a socialist govenment now that is protecting us from ourselves.

[pothole]

Originally Posted by LAP1DOUG

It sure is great that we have a socialist govenment now that is protecting us from ourselves.

You guys have literally no idea! You'd stop calling the Obama admin socialist very, v ery fast if you actually experienced socialism!

[edc]

ATE Super Blue is freely available on the UK. Got 2 tins in a garage for a change. Just watch you don't have any seized bleed nipples.

[pothole]

Ordered a couple of litres from the guys I used for my old BMW track slag - Performance Braking in Scotland.

Really nice guys, would highly recommend for UK Box fans. £7 for a 500ml bottle, so £14 a litre, fpr their own-brand race fluid which gave me flawless performance for track days on my BMW.

About the same price as you can get ATE Super Blue, then (wouldn't surprise if it's actually the same stuff rebadged) but I always like using small, friendly companies where they are at least competitive on price and offer good service.

[eicheldp]

Just found some on e-bay for my "Motorsport" vehicle, similar price to the "Gold". Looking forward to this project when it gets warmer.

[Mark_T]

To do a complete job of the brake bleed you should also bleed the clutch as well, otherwise you still have old fluid in the system due to the shared reservoir.

I will echo what others have said about the value of the Motive Black Label European Power Bleeder. Absolutely worth every penny, especially for the clutch portion of the bleed.

Seized nipples sounds painful. I'll definitely try to avoid that.