Hi Guys struggling to get my brakes to bleed.

The calipers have been off for around 4 months while I did some other work on the car. the system is completely drained, well as much as has naturally dripped out the caliper pipes.

So I've filled the reservoir and bleed each corner in the order in the service manual until fluid comes out, and no air bubbles.
Tested pedal, straight to the floor.
Went round each corner again, and the same thing.

I asked a few mates, and they said some of the modern cars need software to open up the ABS for bleeding.
This is not in the Jag Service manual, however does sound likely.
in that case I was looking at one of these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303310232150

Anyone else had something similar, or a better solution??

For the price of the tool I think trailering to a local specialist would be a better (and Cheaper) idea, but I doubt any of them think this is essential work at the minute!

Only thing odd I have noticed is the fluid isn't flowing a lot, when I've done other cars, one pedal pump moves about 5 x more fluid than the Jag does.
And the fluid I have managed to collect is almost black.
Ignition off currently, got to confirm everythings plugged in before I connect the battery back up, don't want to throw any fault codes as I don't have a reader.

 

I think by leaving the pipes open you may have caused a bigger problem. Being the system was left open for a long period it has absorbed water and most likely contaminated it. I would also thing the "black fluid" might be hose material or seals. Also there is a specific way to bleed the ABS system. The method in the manual only talks about normal brake fluid changes and not a full system drain. At this time I would take it to a Jaguar specialist and see what they say. Maybe the only way is a pressure bleed of the system. Good luck.

 

I've left the pipes open on other cars for much longer than this and never had any issues, by black I just mean very dirty, it probably hasn't been changed for 10 years since new.

I would take it somewhere but the country is on hold at the minute.

 

As JT said, you probably need to bleed the ABS and a complete flush is warranted. Per the link you sent, that tool should do the trick. It says it will bleed ABS systems. The scanner should allow you do do other things as well so it's a worthwhile shade tree mechanic investment.

See this video and it will show you what an ABS bleeder does (different model, same process or close to it but process would apply to the LR scanner).


You will need the ignition on and the ABS light will probably come on, so the tool will allow you to clear the codes as well.

 

And I'll repeat what JT said as well. You have contaminated your brake lines leaving them open and there is no doubt the lines have water in them. Full brake flush is standard maintenance every 2 years on Jaguar.

 

I would assume you have air in the ABS module. If that's the case you most likely will need to get a tester to plug into your OBDII port and do an auto bleed of the ABS module. There are a few youtube how to's on the web but it all goes back to whether you have air in the module. Once that is cleared up then bleeding is done by the normal process.

 

Thanks Guys, I've ordered the scanner. Not worked on modern cars much, had more cars without then with ABS.
Not sure how I've manage this long without a scanner!

I know you are supposed to change brake fluid every 2 years, but from my experience in the UK this does not happen, people get away with as little servicing as possible, and it is rarely offered as a service, you have to ask.
I've done fluid changed after 2 years and its still pretty clean, not dark brown.
Another example of this is diff fluid, my other car Lexus, say change every 2 years, did it when I first bought it, fluid was black, after 2 years I checked it and it was still like new, previous owners had not done this for at least 5-10 years!

 

Let us know the outcome please. It will help future and current Jag owners.

 

Agree with what has been said other than the 2 year interval. Brake fluid does not really go bad unless heat cycled frequently such as continuous hard braking or track use. However it can become contaminated with moisture. I use a fluid tester and have done fluid changes on all of my cars. I have found some makes do have a 2 year limit and some have gone as long as 4 years.

 

 

ok, I fixed it...that’s what I get trusting predictive type on my mobile.

 

It sounds here like you did not bench bleed the master cylinder of air before doing the rest of the system. I think you would need to be sure it is working correctly. One reason why no other car seemed to behave the way you've described would be that their master cylinders held fluid despite open pipes and your jag's did not because something's wrong with it. I suppose it could also just be the reservoir too but if that were the case you'd probably see evidence of brake fluid leaking from before. A failed master cylinder can internally leak with no visible indication from the outside.

 

Will do Thumbs up

And yeah it's been on a track day, snetterton so 130+mph stop to about 50 ish each lap. but I would be very surprised if the brake fluid has been changed every 2 years

If it doesn't work then I'll have to send it to a garage, god knows if I can do that at the minute.

Can you buy rebuild kits for the master cylinders? SNG do not have any on their website.

TBH I always try and avoid bleeding brakes for all the reasons in this thread! and spilling fluid everywhere.

 

the tools available to bleed brakes now are easy to use and can be done without the help of another person and a clean jar and no need to pump the pedal. You can get suction bleeders and pressure bleeders. It's not a difficult or expensive job imo. You don't have your make/ model year in your signature so no way to help you look for a MC rebuild kit but not sure you need one. You can probably rent one from an auto parts store (possibly here in the US only), or just buy it, use it and re-sell it.

 

Make and model in sig now Thumbs up

Yeah I should probably get a pressure bleeder, haven't heard about them until now, never fancied a mityvac.
Scanner arrived today, so lets see.

I was rushing to get the car done for a trip round Scotland in May, but thats not happening and I'm working from home for the foreseeable, so pointless need in the jag on the road, might as well leave it in the garage

 

bite your tongue!

 

Anyone know if you can get a master cylinder rebuild kit for a 2010 XKR?
Can't find one for sale on the internet, have poped a message over to SNG, local main dealer is corona closed.

 

I wasn't able to find any rebuild kits. The master Cylinder is part C2C35765 and fits all XK models from 07-14. I assume yours is leaking? Might be best to get one from a wrecker (eBay)

 

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...433854&jsn=429

 

I saw that too but since he was asking for a kit ($20 vs $110) ....