Wasted $80 on a 'professional' brake fluid flush machine

Tbh, I thought I was being smart buying one of those power bleeders from the tool truck. Figured it would save time on flushes. Ended up pushing air into the ABS module on a 2011 Focus. Had to take it to the dealer to get the module bled with their scanner. $80 for the tool plus $150 for the dealer visit. Just use a vacuum pump and a buddy on the pedal next time.

2 comments

2 Comments

the_john7d ago

Bet your bottom dollar the dealer didn't even use that machine. They likely just cracked the bleeder screws at each caliper while running the ABS pump cycle from their scan tool. Those $80 power bleeders are fine for basic brake jobs on older cars without ABS or simple systems, but on anything with electronic stability control you're asking for trouble. Your vacuum pump idea works way better on modern stuff, and I've had the best luck just gravity bleeding them overnight with a hose on each bleeder.

uma_baker887d ago

I always thought vacuum bleeding was risky, but your gravity method honestly makes WAY more sense for modern systems.