I've already asked some questions on this topic. All were answered very satisfactorily, but here's one more. Is there any preference for running the engine while bleeding the brakes? Would using the servo assist, be preferred or is it better to just use the pedal?

Just thinking about the effort used in braking without servo and the fact that I'd be much more used to the "feel" of the brakes with the engine running.

Thanks in advance.

 

No difference in bleeding just feel

 

So good,
I have never tried bleeding the brakes with the engine running, but would be inclined not to, principally because with the engine running, the ABS unit has power and is operating, and I am not sure how it would react to the sequential loss of pressure in the circuits as you bled them. Also, not sure the servo is helpful or relevant to replacing fluid in the hydraulic circuits. Once upon a time, brake bleeding advice used to start with "pump the pedal to exhaust the servo before commencing bleeding". I feel sure the factory would have stressed it if it was necessary to run the engine.
A good tip before starting to bleed is to close your eyes, and press the pedal several times, trying to remember how it feels. X300s have a soft pedal even when correctly bled, and it is worth having a datum point to compare your efforts with. Many unhappy hours have been spent trying to achieve a rock hard pedal, when this is not in fact attainable.

 

Good idea.

And, with brakes applied hard, measure the distance from the pedal to the floorboard as well.

You're correct about X300 pedal feel.

It is natural, I reckon, for a person to be hyper-aware after brake repairs/flushing/bleeding. The perception of a problem after brake repairs is very common. Ask anyone who has been in the auto repair industry .

To verify what I knew to be true I used my own family members as test subjects.

For many years, when we all still lived nearby one another, I did all the serving on family members' cars. Over a period of months I would return a car to a family member and claim that I had performed some sort of brake repairs when, in fact, I hadn't gone anywhere near the brake system. In each case, *without fail*, I'd get a phone call describing a concern that "the pedal is soft" or "the pedal is low".

Cheers
DD