Help - rear brakes not working

daboss2000

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Hi all,

A few weeks ago I lost brake fluid - on closer inspection the brake pipes that feed both rear brakes (between ABS pump and calipers) had corroded and leaked.

Yesterday I had all of these pipes renewed and then power bleed by a local garage I know. They spent ages trying to bleed it and constantly topping up the reserviours. Had good flow to all except the rear drivers side where there seemed to be a lot of air.

Anyway, front brakes all working great but rear brakes read 0% on the test machine.

Can anyone help out - I am thinking:-

1) Master cylinder failure - would anyone know part numner and best place to buy from?

2) Carry on bleeding and try and engage ABS on a test drive - it might clear itself?
3) ABS pump fault but no ABS light on.

The car is a 2008 W204 C200 Kompressor (1.8l petrol)

I am based in Yorkshire - does anyone know a good independent garage that can be trusted as i dont really want to start replacing things for the sake of it.

Thanks very much - really apprecaite any support and advice
 

LostKiwi

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In some cars you may need to cycle the ABS pump using diagnostic equipment. Smarts are known to have this issue from time to time.
 
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daboss2000

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Thankyou- does anyone know if this is the case on my particular model?
 

mikestrivens

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John Laidlaw

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There are a few in Leeds like Scott’s who get decent reviews
 
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daboss2000

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Thanks that’s helpful.

Does anyone have any technical knowledge on the issue I.e do you need to engage abs when bleeding and if so does this need to be done using Star?
 

EmilysDad

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Thanks that’s helpful.

Does anyone have any technical knowledge on the issue I.e do you need to engage abs when bleeding and if so does this need to be done using Star?

In your case, ie where the ABS block has lost fluid, then the answer is probably yes. I'm sure there will be other generic kits that do the job. I believe even the iCarsoft MBII will modulate it.
 
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daboss2000

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In your case, ie where the ABS block has lost fluid, then the answer is probably yes. I'm sure there will be other generic kits that do the job. I believe even the iCarsoft MBII will modulate it.

Thanks - does anyone else know if I have to use Star to bleed the brakes where the system has been drained or can I just bleed manually with ignition on maybe???? Can’t seem to find the answer anywhere
 

LostKiwi

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Thanks - does anyone else know if I have to use Star to bleed the brakes where the system has been drained or can I just bleed manually with ignition on maybe???? Can’t seem to find the answer anywhere
If the ABS unit has been drained of fluid then it will almost certainly require the pump cycling to drive the air out. Ignition on will make no difference at all.
The exception to this is SBC equipped cars (which yours is not) which have a totally different set of procedures when working on brakes.
 
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daboss2000

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If the ABS unit has been drained of fluid then it will almost certainly require the pump cycling to drive the air out. Ignition on will make no difference at all.
The exception to this is SBC equipped cars (which yours is not) which have a totally different set of procedures when working on brakes.

Thankyou - is the only way to cycle the pump via a speacialist machine (I.e STAR)? Is it worth trying to manually bleed again and see what happens first
 

EmilysDad

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Thankyou - is the only way to cycle the pump via a speacialist machine (I.e STAR)? Is it worth trying to manually bleed again and see what happens first

No harm in trying, but think the pump needs cycling to bleed it properly. As above, machines other than STAR will do it.
 
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daboss2000

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Thanks for all the replies. Bled and bled again today with power bleeder and by manual method. Absolutely certain that all the air was out but then same problem again, brake pedal really spongy and rear brakes not really working (rust on rear brake discs still there after test drive). Will book it in for Star bleeding as suggested, hoping it’s not the master cylinder
 

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