Its me again, the novice mechanic! Sorry but need help again! Went to bleed my system today and when I took cap off reservoir I notice it has a sort of black rubber lining that can be pulled out. Without sounding stupid I am kind of wondering what purpose does it serve? When I want to bleed the system i am not sure how the fluid gets in there if this rubber liner is in place? Sorry if this is a stupid question but can't seem to work out what it does. Oh and by the way, the lack of fluid is why my brake siezed on! (see earlier post).
It is supposed to keep air away from the fluid. It is easily removable, and collapses like one of those little collapsible cups for camping. As the level of the fluid goes down, air comes in above the plastic divider, and that way the fresh (usually humid) air is not in contact with the fluid.
Thanks Denny, that makes sense. So basically I fill up reservoir as normal, bleed any air bubbles out and put plastic divider in (in squashed position) on top of full reservoir. Thank you again
Just tried to bleed system (haven't got pump, just using pedal pump method) but can't get any pressure. There is about an inch of fluid in pipe on bleed nipples but no matter how many times I pump the fluid doesn't budge, am I supposed to have reservoir cap on whilst doing this? I didn't think so as I will need to top up as fluid comes through. Have jammed braked lever in down position overnight to see if that budges the air pockets. Finally (sorry!) what fluid should I be using, I've only got DOT4. Does it matter if its not the one in manual?? Thanks.....again!
I don't know about a 99, but my 06 uses dot4. I always use a large plastic syringe and fill empty brake or clutch through the bleed nipple on the slave cylinder (caliper). Then bleed as usual.
