Brake bleeding using diagnostic tool

[HT281]

Morning all,

I'm going to change the brake fluid on a 2003 Focus with ABS. I've got a sealey pressure bleeder which I've used a couple of times with great results.

I have borrowed an autcom cdp tool which allows you to cycle the ABS valves to purge all the fluid from the ABS system.

I believe you preform the pressure bleed first to renew the fluid, then connect up the cdp to perform the brake bleed of the ABS.

Do you need to use the pressure bleeder when you bleed the ABS using the cdp tool or not?

[GreenV8S]

HT281 said:

I have borrowed an autcom cdp tool

Can't the people you borrowed it from tell you how to use it?

[HT281]

Hi GreenV8S,

Thanks for your reply.

I know how to use the autocom as it has a demo mode you can use to familiarise yourself with.

The autocom isn't normally used for brake bleeding, but it is capable hence why i'm keen to use it and learn.

I just need to know whether you need to connect up a pressure bleeder at the same time and what pressure to use.

[drmotorsport]

Why do you need to purge the ABS system? Unless there's a fault with the system you can just change the brake fluid the same as any non ABS car.

[HT281]

I wanted to ensure the fluid in the ABS modulator assembly was thoroughly flushed out.

The autocom demo mode states you should have 4 litres of brake fluid to hand to do a full ABS bleed.

In the end I just used the pressure bleeder on its own and used almost a litre. Would have been nice to flush the fluid out the clutch while I was at it, but you have to take the battery and air filter box out to get anywhere near it.