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Car Forum / MINI / February 2006

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Brake oil

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RAY - 29 Jan 2006 06:35 GMT
Just a question? Can u use Dot 4 brake oil for the Mini Clubman?
Steve68s - 29 Jan 2006 12:17 GMT
I should think so, I have used it in a 1968 real mini cooper s,

Steve.

> Just a question? Can u use Dot 4 brake oil for the Mini Clubman?
Chris - 29 Jan 2006 15:06 GMT
> Just a question? Can u use Dot 4 brake oil for the Mini Clubman?

DOT4 is the least I would use.  Infact I can't remember the last time I saw
DOT3 on sale!?  I went to my local VW dealer and bought a 1.5litre tin for
about £6 - if it's good enough for them etc etc!  If you can get hold of
one, a Gunsons eezibleed will also help you soooooo much!  The rear bleed
nipples are exactly 1/4" by the way, if you have a problem opening them then
what I did was to use the 'driver bit extender' on a cordless drill and set
it to undo - that cracked them open.

Good luck!

Chris
RAY - 30 Jan 2006 12:16 GMT
Thanks Steve & Chris! So that rules out the brake oil. I have a problem with
spongy brakes. I have changed every thing on the brake system yet they are
spongy. Maybe i am not bleeding them right. Could it be the rear bleeders
which I could not open?

>> Just a question? Can u use Dot 4 brake oil for the Mini Clubman?
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Chris
MiNiFrEeK! - 30 Jan 2006 18:45 GMT
You may have a brake line "bulging" under pressure?

> Thanks Steve & Chris! So that rules out the brake oil. I have a problem
> with spongy brakes. I have changed every thing on the brake system yet
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>>
>> Chris
Chris - 30 Jan 2006 22:15 GMT
> Thanks Steve & Chris! So that rules out the brake oil. I have a problem
> with spongy brakes. I have changed every thing on the brake system yet
> they are spongy. Maybe i am not bleeding them right. Could it be the rear
> bleeders which I could not open?

Spongy brakes can be a few things.  Try not to fit new disc pads and rear
drum shoes at the same time, while bedding in they wont work 100% and may
make the pedal 'feel' spongy.  I normally fit new fronts, let them bed in
for 100 miles or so then fit new rear shoes.  Spongy brakes normally does
however mean air somewhere in the brake circuit.  As you say you couldn't
open the rears then I'd definately suspect them!  Did you try the method I
mentioned to open them - cordless screwdriver?  Dewalt to the rescue!!!

Is your mini an older mk3 or older mini with the brake bias valve on the
rear subrame?  Just wondering if this could need stripping and cleaning?
Later cars are split diagonally, so will probably need bleeding like this.
Haynes is your friend here.  Like I said, I cannot recommend a gunsons
eezibleed enough!   Was the brake fluid you used new?  Even new fluid left
open overnite can be seriously comprimised, If in doubt buy new.

Also, has your car discs front/drums rear?  Or drums all round?  If you're
in south essex I am at my garage at the weekend doing a golf gti engine
swap, you're welcome to bring some fluid and use my eezibleed - or they're
£20ish from halfrauds etc.

Chris
mwalsh@smad.com - 30 Jan 2006 23:02 GMT
I personally wouldn't use an EZ bleed on a dual circuit brake system
with a pressure valve. I had a horrible time with mine and had to
partially dissasemble the system to relieve excess pressure. Then got a
whale of a air lock in the master that required I prime it into an old
can before I could hook it up to the system again, just to add salt to
the wound.

I found a very nice little gizmo at my local motor factors. Naming it
(or the factors either for that matter) won't do you any good 'cause
I'm in the States, but it's bascially a one way valve that fits onto
the bleed nipple. Push the pedal down and pressure from the stuff being
expelled forces a spring loaded ball bearing down into the valve
letting fluid and air into the valve and out of a hole in the end. Let
off the brake pedal and the spring forces the ball bearing against the
opening letting fluid and air into the valve. I personally would
recommend you looking for something along those lines if your working
on a dual circuit system.

Saying that, I have an older Mini with a single circuit system and a
bean can master and the EZ bleed works beautifully on that car.
Ravindra - 15 Feb 2006 12:26 GMT
Hi guys!

Managed to fix the brake problems. It was the bleeders on the rear brake
pumps. Bought a cordless screwdriver but that malfunctioned as soon as I
tried to open the bleeder with  the head. Returned it and bought a similar
kit with  the same head and managed to open it. That sorted out my problem.
Had to further adjust the brakes and now they are o.k.

Now the starter motor won't crank. Bought new bushes and hope to replace
that. Hopefully that solves the problem. Am glad I was able to get the parts
from our mini dealer here in Malaysia.

Thanks again folks. I am really learning a lot from this site. keep up the
good work.

Cheers!
>I personally wouldn't use an EZ bleed on a dual circuit brake system
> with a pressure valve. I had a horrible time with mine and had to
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> Saying that, I have an older Mini with a single circuit system and a
> bean can master and the EZ bleed works beautifully on that car.
 
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