W203 Brake Fluid change

[jimboom]

Hi, I am looking for some info and advice on changing the brake fluid on my 2003 C220CDI (W203) estate.

I also intend changing the front disc pads at the same time, looking at the posts this looks pretty straight forward. (I have already bought Mintex pads for the job).

I have looked in my owners manual and service book for the correct spec brake fluid for my motor, but can't find it listed. Any ideas please? Also do I have to use MB fluid or can I use a reputable make such as Castrol? ( MB dealer 20+ miles away). How much fluid should I buy?

Advice please on any problems I am likely to encounter bleeding system with ABS pump (never done one with ABS)?

Lastly would it be better to pressure bleed the system with a Gunson Eezibleed kit, so that the crud that may have built up near the master cylinder does not move on to the ABS (with possible dire consequences!). I have only ever bled a system conventionally.

Thanks in advance for all the advice offered.

Jimboom.

 

[duncanh]

I do mine with a vacuum pump.

First I suck all of the fluid out of the reservoir, refilling it with fresh fluid (I use any standard DOT4 fluid, it does not need to be Mercedes supplied).

I go to the furthest bleed nipple and suck out fluid till it comes clean, keeping the reservoir topped up. I do the same for the other corners.

The advantage is that no air can enter through the nipple as the pressure is always sucking out.

This device has been invaluable on a number of cars and motorcycles over the years. The pump I use is

http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=8017&frostProductName=Tune-up%20&%20Brake%20Bleeding%20Kit&catID=14&frostCat=Brakes&frostSubCat=&subCatID=

I hope this helps.

 

[wireman]

Open the caliper bleed nipples when you push their pistons back to keep the old fluid from getting sqirted back to the master cylinder via your ABS unit. If the bleed nipples are getting rusty about their heads put new ones in, it can be difficult to remove a broken one.

Do it at two year intervals.

 

[jimboom]

Hi, Thanks for your replies, they are appreciated. Has anyone had any experiences with the Gunson Eezibleed system please? Are there any pitfalls in using this system? Finally I take it that I can renew with any Dot4 fluid ( that my local motor factors stock) and it will not affect the braking efficiency of the car? Thanks again for your views.

 

[Cole@MBS]

Hi, Thanks for your replies, they are appreciated. Has anyone had any experiences with the Gunson Eezibleed system please? Are there any pitfalls in using this system? Finally I take it that I can renew with any Dot4 fluid ( that my local motor factors stock) and it will not affect the braking efficiency of the car? Thanks again for your views.

Got one myself, takes mins to set up and never had a prob, brill and simple!!

 

[television]

And yes any dot4 fluid

 

[David Nock]

I'm sure that Dot 4 is a universal fluid spec for all car brakes where Dot 4 is specified (Dot 5 being a higher boiling point fluid, sometimes specified for supercars). The exception to this is the fluid spec for a lot of Citroens and some Rolls Royces which use a different type of fluid altogether. You will see that the container will list the above 2 exclusions.
I would invest in a known brand like Castrol fluid.

 

[wireman]

Once had an ezibleed but threw it out after its cap burst off (at 15psi) all over a newly restored big healy.

If you must use one be very carefull not to allow this to happen to you, make sure the cap fits to the reservoir very well and the resevoir is firmly attached to the master cylinder.