No Brake Fluid Coming Out When Bleeding

The brake system is an extremely vital component of every vehicle. However, a malfunction in the system can be highly disastrous. Although your brakes can be very sharp the first few years after acquiring the car, the performance can drop over time.

Air in the brakes’ hydraulic lines is usually to blame when there is a delay in the supply of brake fluid to the caliper. Bleeding the brake lines ought to rectify this issue; however, if you have no brake fluid coming out when bleeding, carefully find out why and how to fix the problem below.

Causes of No Brake Fluid Coming Out When Bleeding

Several factors are responsible if no brake fluid is coming out when bleeding your car’s brake system.

Neglecting this issue may result in a more severe problem. Identifying the following causes and rectifying them as soon as possible will help resolve the problem.

Incorrect bleeding process

Bleeding the brake lines may seem extremely easy until a novice messes up the entire process. Unfortunately, this may be common with DIYers starting out doing their car repair themselves, especially for the first time.

Therefore, you may not have the correct outcome if you fail to bleed the brake lines appropriately.

Hence, no brake fluid may come from the port in the caliper. If this is the case, ensure to find out how to bleed the brake system correctly or contact an expert auto mechanic to do the job.

Defective brake flex hose

The brake flex hoses are designed to supply brake fluid to the caliper from the brake master cylinder and reservoir.

However, a cut in these components will automatically hinder the pressure in the brake system that enables the bleeding. Besides this, brake fluid can also leak through the cut in the flex hoses.

Meanwhile, a clogged brake line can also hinder the brake pressure too.

Broken bleed screw

The bleed screw sits on top of the vehicle’s brake caliper, which is a tough place for the component to be. This is because of the heat and dust it is exposed to from the brakes and wheels, respectively.

Excess corrosion will eventually make it difficult to remove the bleed screw when you need to perform the bleeding exercise. The component can break due to the rust, thereby blocking the bleeding process.

Solutions to No Brake Fluid Coming Out When Bleeding

Experiencing difficulty getting the brake fluid out when bleeding the brake system is a temporary issue; hence, you shouldn’t panic over it. Doing it right can help you remedy the situation.

Nonetheless, the following recommendations will help you rectify the issue.

Bleed the brake system correctly

Bleeding the brake system will work better with two people performing the task. While you bleed the brake, let your partner depress the brake pedal in order to provide the pressure necessary in the brake circuit for the bleeding.

Carefully locate the brake system’s bleeding screw while your partner depresses the brake pedal and holds it down for a while. Once you locate the bleeding screw, carefully unscrew it and allow the oil to drain out. After that, you can tighten the bleeding screw again.

Use the recommended brake fluid

Sometimes, using a brake fluid different from the recommended type of fluid can affect the bleeding process. So, endeavor to use the appropriate brake fluid for your car’s brake system. You may also have to avoid mixing multiple types of fluids.

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Vehicle manufacturers recommend specific brake fluids for different vehicle makes and models in their product line. If you don’t know the type of brake fluid to use, kindly consult your auto mechanic for professional advice.

Replace faulty caliper sliding pins

If you notice that a wheel or caliper fails to bleed, you may have faulty caliper sliding pins. So, ensure to replace the components, and you will be good to go. The pins are relatively cheap, even though they can affect the bleeding process in a wheel or caliper.

Replace defective brake pipes

Since clogged or defective brake pipes can also be a culprit to no brake fluid coming out from bleeding, replacing the pipes will definitely fix this issue. You may also have to check for a faulty or torn flex hose to ascertain whether this is the issue. If it is, simply replaces the component.

FAQs

Why do I have no brake pressure after bleeding brakes?

The presence of air within the brake lines is one of the common reasons why you don’t have brake pressure after bleeding your car’s brake system. Meanwhile, you may also lack brake pressure if a piston sticks in the master cylinder’s bore during a brake system bleeding exercise. Lastly, brake leakage can be another culprit to the lack of brake pressure in your car.

Is brake fluid bleeding necessary?

Under normal circumstances, your car may not need a brake fluid bleeding exercise. This is because the brake lines may not have air bubbles in them. However, if your master cylinder’s fluid level drops due to worn-out brake pads, air may get access into the system. In this case, you need to bleed the brake fluid in order to get rid of the air bubbles.

Can you just top off the brake fluid?

Topping off your car’s brake fluid anytime may not be ideal. The reason is that overfilled brake fluid reservoir may do more harm than good. So, if you have a brake fluid level at the minimum line or above it, there’s no point topping it off. Conversely, if the fluid level is below the minimum line, ensure to refill as soon as possible. However, the content must not exceed the maximum line that is designed to help you gauge the fluid input.

When should you bleed your brakes?

Expert auto technicians recommend that you bleed your car’s brakes every 2 to 3 years. Therefore, it is very important to take note of the last time you bled your brake system so that you can keep track of the schedule. Also, ensure to contact an expert auto mechanic to do the job when necessary. However, if you’re a DIYer, it will be pretty easy for you to do the job.

How much does it cost for brake fluid flush?

A brake fluid flush is estimated to cost around $90-$120. However, several factors are responsible for how much you would pay for a brake fluid flush exercise. Some of the factors include the type of fluid you choose, your vehicle’s make and model, as well as the auto mechanic you contact to perform the task. If your car needs a brake fluid, ensure to consult an expert auto mechanic for the budget.

Related Post: How much does a transmission fluid flush cost

Final Thoughts

Enough of struggling with the issue of no brake fluid coming out when bleeding; just implement one or more of the recommendations above to fix the problem. In any case, ensure to carefully identify the exact cause of the problem without shadow-boxing to fix the brake bleeding issue.

However, do not bleed your brakes if you’re not a DIYer. Even though the process can be quite easy, missing a step can alter the bleeding process.

So, ensure to contact an expert auto technician to do a clean job. It will only cost you a few dollars.