Need explanation on how to flush brake system with denatured alcohol?
jim larson said
Dec 9, 2012
I've bleed brakes before; but just not sure about how to flush the whole system with denatured alcohol. Could someone explain? It's my understanding that you must do this when changing to silicone brake fluid. Thanks.
Lost in the 60s said
Dec 9, 2012
I would think you would need a pressure bleeder for that and a LOTof alcohol. I don't see it getting completely flushed with the pedal method.
Are you replacing ALL the wheel cylinders too? If they are old, the silicone will seep past the cups, much like trying to get synthetic oil to stay in an old engine with old seals.
Chris R said
Dec 9, 2012
You wont get it clean doing it that way. The only way I trust a change over like that is to remove and pretty much dissassemble every component and clean them by hand using the alcohol, including the master cylinder, wheel cylinders, calipers, etc. Then you have to flush the alcohol through the steel lines which can be done in a few different ways.
Bowtieman427 said
Dec 9, 2012
I did this on my Vette. Took all calipers off and re-ringed them and flushed. I was putting in a new MC at the time too. all lines drained and blew out with air to clean out as much brake fluid as I could. Then filled with the lines with denatured alcohol flush many times cleaned by hand and blow out with air. When all done I filled lines with Si and flushed. put system together filled and bleed everything with Si and seems to be ok. It has been about 10yrs now.
I've bleed brakes before; but just not sure about how to flush the whole system with denatured alcohol. Could someone explain? It's my understanding that you must do this when changing to silicone brake fluid. Thanks.
I would think you would need a pressure bleeder for that and a LOTof alcohol. I don't see it getting completely flushed with the pedal method.
Are you replacing ALL the wheel cylinders too? If they are old, the silicone will seep past the cups, much like trying to get synthetic oil to stay in an old engine with old seals.
You wont get it clean doing it that way. The only way I trust a change over like that is to remove and pretty much dissassemble every component and clean them by hand using the alcohol, including the master cylinder, wheel cylinders, calipers, etc. Then you have to flush the alcohol through the steel lines which can be done in a few different ways.