Audi brake fluid topping up

Stephen Phelan

Hi all. Earlier on today i got a warning light and car telling me to stop and the 3 beeps , on pressing the check button on dash the car was telling me to check brake and hydraulic fluid levels . As far as i know these are both the same thing and i top this up in the brake fluid reservoir up to the left beside where the battery is with DOT 4 brake fluid.

My question is can i just top the fluid up or would the system need to be drained , filled with new fluid and the brake system purged/bled

The car is a Audi A4 1.9 tdi 130 bhp sport 2002 reg

visual

The fluid can be topped up without anything else needing to be done.

The drop in fluid is most likely because the brake pads are worn. The system draws down more fluid the thinner the pads get because the caliper piston moves out more. When new pads are fitted they are much thicker and push the caliper piston back in futher forsing the brake fluid back up into resovior.

If there is no leaks in the brake system it be worth checking for wear in the brake pads.

The only time you need to bleed the system is when there is a possibility of air entering the system below the resovior bottle. Replacing a caliper or flexible brake hose etc...

Brake fluid doesn't evaporate or get consumed by the car but it does adsorb moisture it recommend to change out every few years
to do that you will need to bleed all 4 wheels and while keeping the brake fluid topped up.

GTE

I am planning on getting a special brake bleeder for my VAG in the next week.

It can be bought from Halfords, you fill it with brake fluid and it works off the air pressure in your spare tyre (deflated somewhat I believe).

Saves a lot of hassle from what I have been able to research.

I am just planning on doing a fluid replacement as it has been 2 to 3 years since it was last done.

JoeySully

bbk wrote: »

I am planning on getting a special brake bleeder for my VAG in the next week.

It can be bought from Halfords, you fill it with brake fluid and it works off the air pressure in your spare tyre (deflated somewhat I believe).

Saves a lot of hassle from what I have been able to research.

I am just planning on doing a fluid replacement as it has been 2 to 3 years since it was last done.

EZIBLEED i guess you mean, I have had bad experiences with them TBH. Mostly involving spraying brake fluid all over the engine bay. Take care to select the correct cap. some of them are very similar and will blow off the top when pressurized. Over-tightening caps on reservoir or bottle can also cause air leaks.

I use Visableed now instead just need a friend with a strong leg

visual

I use to use my finger and a small spanner when I was stuck.

get some one to press the peddle while I hold my finger on top of caliper nipple open nipple while peddle is being depressed and close it.

A bit messy but worked.

The 5 euro tube and bottle allows for one man opperation. Simple cheap and its all that is needed.

Stick the tube on the caliper nipple open nipple a little and pump the brake. When there is no bubbles in the clear rubber tube and fluid in the catch bottle job is done. Tighten nipple and jobs a good one. No need for anything fancy

Chimaera

Halfords do a little tool for this which has a one-way valve at the end of the bleed tube which stops air being drawn in when you release the pedal.

Your brake fluid should be changed every 2 years really as it readily absorbs moisture from the air which will degrade its performance. I'd be a little worried if the fluid has dropped far enough for the sensor to pick it up - I doubt pad wear would trigger this from a normal fluid level starting out.

It's also an idea to check your clutch since it operates from the same fluid reservoir as the brakes.

Stephen Phelan

I topped up both Power Steering and Brake fluid over 2 weeks ago and have done over 700 miles allot of which has been on secondary roads which would involve a good bit of braking and all seems to be good !! . The 3 beeps and warning lights have not come on again since topping up , i guess the fluid was just a little bit low . the guy i bought the car from said the front pads had been changed a few months ago and brake fluid was changed so maybe after doing this the system just needed a topping up , i have not noticed any leaks since topping up so i don't think any fluid is escaping from the system.

debabyjesus

Stephen Phelan wrote: »

I topped up both Power Steering and Brake fluid over 2 weeks ago and have done over 700 miles allot of which has been on secondary roads which would involve a good bit of braking and all seems to be good !! . The 3 beeps and warning lights have not come on again since topping up , i guess the fluid was just a little bit low . the guy i bought the car from said the front pads had been changed a few months ago and brake fluid was changed so maybe after doing this the system just needed a topping up , i have not noticed any leaks since topping up so i don't think any fluid is escaping from the system.

Pretty sure the power steering takes a green mineral fluid G002 something like that... Did you put dot4 in the there? Could rot the seals if you did.

Stephen Phelan

Jasus no !! I put the G002-??? in the power steering reservoir and DOT 4 in the brake fluid reservoir . All fluids bought from Audi garage so correct specs assured !!