Brake lines removed - now need to refill up fluid. What's next?

[RubAVeeDubDub]

Hi all,

So as a result of needing both new rear bushes, rear wheel bearings and the front lines repaired (cracks in the rubber as it's off a passat) on my Bora 4mo, I've obviously had all to drain all my brake fluid. I removed most fluid by just opening the value and pushing down on the brake pedal. The rest of the fluid just dripped out when I removed the lines from each hub.

Now that I've had everything fixed - I need to put the fluid back in the system and have it working again. From what I've been reading, it seems that it's not as easy as it was in the olden days where I would just put fluid in the reservoir and use a one-man bleed kit to push fluid through the system until no air bubbles came out of each of the lines/wheels.

I've read that the abs pump can get air in it and the only way to push it out is using a VCDS/VAGCOM ?

What's my next steps? Fluid in reservoir, seal lid, pump brake pedal (plus keep topping up reservoir) until all fluid comes out without air bubbles on each brake pedal?
How do I know if I need to run the ABS pump?
Clutch will obviously be done after the brake lines? --> Open bleeder valve and keep running fluid until no air bubbles?

Appreciate any help with this - including both what to do next AND where to get a VCDS capable of running the ABS pump (more than willing to consider alternative VCDS' to RossTech)

Thanks folks!

[Euro Remaps]

With the modern ABS systems you cant just bleed the brakes the old fashioned way by using the pump the pedal system as this would damage the seals in the abs system.you need a brake bleeding system that sucks the fluid through from the reservoir like this
one.
1L AIR Brake Bleeder KIT Pneumatic Clutch Vacuum Hydraulic Free Express Shipping | eBay

[Euro Remaps]

you do not need vag com to bleed brakes...the only time you need vag com to do brakes is to release the rear calipers on later vag's..

[Transporter]

With the modern ABS systems you cant just bleed the brakes the old fashioned way by using the pump the pedal system as this would damage the seals in the abs system.you need a brake bleeding system that sucks the fluid through from the reservoir like this
one.
1L AIR Brake Bleeder KIT Pneumatic Clutch Vacuum Hydraulic Free Express Shipping | eBay

If you really care about your car, you wouldn't pump (push) the air with whatever moisture it contain into your brake fluid. use a proper brake bleeder that has at least the diaphragm.

[dylan8]

Is the reservoir low/out of fluid?
If so will need a power bleeder and vagcom/rosstech. Can avoid doing the vagcom if you can do a sketchy drive and get it to trigger the abs under heavy braking... Bit risky if not bleed right because of the abs

[RubAVeeDubDub]

With the modern ABS systems you cant just bleed the brakes the old fashioned way by using the pump the pedal system as this would damage the seals in the abs system.you need a brake bleeding system that sucks the fluid through from the reservoir like this
one.
1L AIR Brake Bleeder KIT Pneumatic Clutch Vacuum Hydraulic Free Express Shipping | eBay

This is the first I've heard of needing a brake bleeding device and I've done brake bleeds on ABS cars according to the manufacturers own service manual. This is more of a volkswagen thing for sure.

If you really care about your car, you wouldn't pump (push) the air with whatever moisture it contain into your brake fluid. use a proper brake bleeder that has at least the diaphragm.

I got the brake fluid out of the car by pushing on the pedal. It only touched the floor a few times after most of the fluid had been removed. Do you think I've damaged the diaphram or any seals?

Is the reservoir low/out of fluid?
If so will need a power bleeder and vagcom/rosstech. Can avoid doing the vagcom if you can do a sketchy drive and get it to trigger the abs under heavy braking... Bit risky if not bleed right because of the abs

I needed to disconnect all the brake lines so yep all fluid is gone. Removed some with pushing the pedal with a hose on the end of the drivers wheel and the rest just dripped out when I removed the front lines and disconnected the rears.

Can I get a rosstech equivalent VAGCOM for less than $500? Flippen expensive for a tool I might only use a few times.


With all this complications, I have decided that once all the work I need to do on this car is completed, I'm going to tow her to a VW mecahnic to finish the brake bleeding. I don't want to risk any damage and not having brakes! Any mechanic suggestions in the eastern suburbs?

[Umai Naa!!]

Not sure what compelled you to push all the fluid out.

[dylan8]

Not sure what compelled you to push all the fluid out.

This.

I would have left it there. And bleed new fluid through rather then run it dry

[RubAVeeDubDub]

Not sure what compelled you to push all the fluid out.

Ummm the fact that it wouldve just billowed out when I removed the front brake lines and/or when I disconnect the rear brake lines?

[Umai Naa!!]

Would've been a trickle at worst.

You'd barely lose 100ml of fluid in swapping a brake hose over, and itd take about 30secs to bleed to air out of that line.

[RubAVeeDubDub]

Would've been a trickle at worst.

You'd barely lose 100ml of fluid in swapping a brake hose over, and itd take about 30secs to bleed to air out of that line.

I figured that I might as well change the fluid anyway. I dont know when it was last done and I've owned it for around 20 months so it was nearing its expiry date anyway. Wasn't aware that VW love to be complex - I was born and raised on older cars that didn't have super complex computers. This whole ABS pump system is still surprising to me as I've read multiple service manuals for ABS cars that never said anything about having to run the ABS pump and/or use a power bleeder. Strange.

So regret buying my VW it's ridiculous.

[RubAVeeDubDub]

While I have everyone's attention:

- Recommended VW mechanic in Eastern melbourne? Near Rowville, Ferntree Gully, Boronia etc most preferred

- Alternative to $500 Ross-Tech VCDS/VAGCOM cable?