Have you ever heard the term bleeding your brakes? It is a common procedure in your cars. It is basically removing air and some brake fluid from the hydraulic brake system in your vehicle. Sometimes, when there is no brake fluid coming out when bleeding, it can be alarming.
Fret not; we have got you covered. As you peruse this article, you will know how brakes work. You will also get enlightened about what bleeding is and how it works. Moreover, you will know the causes and reasons for no brake fluid coming out when bleeding.
So read on and know everything about brakes and their bleeding.
How Do Brakes Work?
For you to understand brake bleeding, it might help you to know how brakes work.
When you press the brake pedal when you want to stop, several actions take place to bring your vehicle to a halt. A hydraulic pump exerts pressure against the hydraulic oil or brake fluid. All this occurs inside the brake lines.
Liquids don’t compress easily, so when you apply force on one end of the brake line, you feel it at another end.
Moreover, when you apply pressure on your brake pedal, you apply pressure to the calipers on the other end. That happens via the hydraulic pump.
The caliper dangles a pair of brake pads placed on the sides of a brake rotor which gets attached to your car’s tire and wheel. This caliper works on a mechanism to squeeze your brake rotor and makes your vehicle come to a halt.
What is Brake Bleeding?
Over time, several things could go wrong with your brakes. Your brake pads, brake rotors, calipers, brake lines, and the hydraulic pump wear out. So, it is necessary to service your brakes regularly.
You can replace your brake rotors with one of the top 5 brake rotor brands. Moreover, you can check out the DuraGo rotors too.
Brake bleeding is one of the crucial brake services that your mechanic will perform. Brake bleeding removes extra air and brake fluid from your hydraulic pump. But why does the air enter your brake system?
When the mechanic opens your brake system, a connector detaches and allows air to enter. Moreover, when installing a new brake line or caliper, your mechanic needs to bleed out the air from these new components. Furthermore, worn-out brake pads cause air to enter your brake system too.
You must be wondering why air entering your brake system is bad, isn’t it? Air in the brake system makes your hydraulic brake fluid dysfunctional. Moreover, it prevents your caliper from squeezing the rotors to ensure your vehicle halts. You will feel like your brake pedal merely sinks to the floor.
Brake bleeding is thus the process of removing this excess air to ensure the brake system functions properly. Read ahead to know how does brake bleeding occurs.
How Do Brakes Bleed?
A mechanic opens the bleeder screw located on the caliper systematically. They then drain out this air and some brake fluid. You or a mechanic’s assistant might have to pump the brake pedal properly. That is well-timed action that your mechanic must do in such a way that the bleeder screw isn’t open when the pedal gets released.
Moreover, your mechanic needs to be super careful not to release more air into your brake system.
While brake bleeding isn’t complex, it is a crucial procedure. Your mechanic will raise the vehicle above ground on a jack stand to do this procedure. Some brake fluid must come out to remove any air bubbles. Here’s a guide for you if your floor jack cannot hold the pressure.
What are the Reasons for No Brake Fluid Coming Out When Bleeding?
When your mechanic is servicing your brakes, you might be wondering why no brake fluid coming out when bleeding. There are some reasons for this, as listed below.
Incorrect Bleed Procedure
If you or the mechanic does the bleeding procedure incorrectly, brake fluid will not come out.
In order to have the perfect bleed procedure, you must ensure it is a two-person job. Moreover, it is necessary to locate the bleeding screw while pressing the brake pedal. Your mechanic should do the bleeding process patiently to ensure the oil gets out.
Furthermore, your mechanic should repeat the process minimum of 3 times per wheel to ensure no air is inside your brake system.
Bleed Screw Fault
Your mechanic will find the bleed screw on top of the brake caliper. It is the valve that enables you to bleed the air off your brake fluid.
The bleed screw often gets exposed to dirt, heat, dust, and mud. It has plenty of chances to corrode and spoil. It causes them to get blocked, and your mechanic finds it difficult to bleed your brake system properly.
Flex Hose Fault
Your brake system’s flex hose delivers brake fluid from the reservoir and hydraulic pump to the brake caliper. If the hose is torn, worn out, or cut, there will be no pressure in the brakes, and the bleeding will be unsuccessful. Moreover, it causes brake fluid leaks and engine oil leaks.
Caliper Fault
If your calipers, the main braking instruments, fail, there will be no brake fluid coming out when bleeding. You will find some common problems your calipers can have listed below.
- Sliding pins/rails seizure
- Caliper Piston seizure leading to creaky noise
- Leaky brake seals
- Brake caliper sliding pins
Caliper Incorrectly Fitted
Suppose you removed your calipers. You need to ensure you fit the new ones correctly. Ensure you place it on the correct side. Incorrect placement will make it difficult for you to locate the bleed screws.
How to Fix No Brake Fluid Coming Out When Bleeding?
Now that you know the cause of no brake fluid coming out when bleeding, you might be wondering how to fix it.
One of the foremost steps to fix this is to ensure your mechanic does the bleeding process properly. Despite a proper procedure, if there is no brake fluid coming out when bleeding, there are few things to consider.
- Check your brake fluid and ensure you use the specified brake fluid for your car
- Avoid mixing brake fluids
- Ensure equal distribution of brake fluid to your calipers
- Check for leakages in oil seals and brake caliper pistons, and engine pistons
- Check the pipes that deliver brake fluid to rear brakes if there isn’t any pressure there
- Replace any faulty flex hose to ensure your brake calipers function properly
Moreover, you can consider investing in a rust converter to prevent corrosion of the metal parts of your brake system.
Endnotes
Brake bleeding is a necessary process to remove any air from your vehicle’s hydraulic pumps. It is a crucial step in servicing your car that your mechanic must undertake.
Suppose you notice there is no brake fluid coming out when bleeding. Your mechanic needs to examine your vehicle’s brake system thoroughly. That ensures all worn-out calipers, brake lines, flex hoses, and other components get replaced to ensure proper brake bleeding.
So, peruse this article to know about brakes, their bleeding, and about no brake fluid coming out when bleeding. Ensure your mechanic fixes your vehicle’s brake system to have a jolly ride in your car!
