Yups we've got plenty of MoTul here...

 

And how do we get our hands on a factory manual ??

Thanks,

Andy

 

Buy, borrow or steal, I guess. Or bring it somewhere when the brakes need bleeding where they have a manual, a PS2 system tester and a competent mechanic.

Sol

www.perfectpowerinc.com

 

An aweful lot of if's in that post--if you have replaced your brake lines; if you have air in the system; if you have boiled the fluid. I'm not disputing what the service manual says.

But I will say this--if you are changing brake fluid that you haven't yet boiled, and if you're using a motive power bleeder, then you shouldn't have a problem doing it yourself. I've lost count of how many brake fluid changes I've done on my 01 Turbo--at least 4 per year.

It's very unlikely to find the Ps2 tester outside of a Porsche dealership--so good luck with your beg, borrow or steal theory unless you're truly a cat burglar.

I just didn't want the original poster to get the wrong idea. If you're doing a rountine brake fluid replacement and not "mucking" around with the rest of the brake system or lines, don't worry, you can do it yourself.

 

You do not need a PST2 to do a brake fluid flush. Our local group does brake fluid changes all the time at out work on cars days in the San Jose area. If you replaced the ABS/PSM then you need the PST2 to open the valves in the control unit. We do not mess around with the control unit for a routine brake fluid change.

 

I'm gonna raise the:

 

Sharkster,
I hope that flag is not directed at me.

Sol

 

Heya Sol it was only in jest You posted some interesting info but I've changed my brake fluid so many times and the same goes for others without any trouble so this was news to me.

 

With all the discussion of changing brake fluid...

How often should brake fluid be changed? Is there a general rule of thumb by mileage or time for example?

Thanks.

 

I change for every other track event--hence at least 4 times a year since I do at least 8 each year. Book is every two years. So in "normal" street use, not often but more often than some people might think.

 

I bleed pretty much for every event.

 

Since becoming a member of 6speedonline, my posts have been informative and helpful to others. They are based on knowledge and experience I've gained working on 911s for 30 years. I only post when I can be helpful and nobody else has piped up with the correct answer or information. Although there are a lot of know-it-alls on the website, I still check in and post when I think I can be helpful. When I do, invariably I get some 'devil's advocate' who wants to debate. Sometimes I play the game. I can't do it any more. I have cars to prepare for Road America and am getting frustrated arguing with people ignorant on the topic of discussion.
As for bleeding brakes, if it is just a fluid change, go ahead and do it yourself. However, many of the people here take their cars to the track and/or are putting on steel braided brake lines. If air gets in the system from a line or component change, or, fluid is boiled at the race track, then you must use the correct procedure or your brake pedal may go to the floor at an inopportune time despite just having been bled one lap ago. All the 996 Turbos, except the GT2, must use this procedure. BTW, Perfect Power has the factory manuals and the Porsche System Tester for those who need this important job done right. I tried unsuccessfully to post the pages from the manual as an attachment. I will try again when I have a chance, but the mix of text and pics seemed to make it difficult to format.



Sol

 

I'll repeat what I said before Sol.

"You posted some interesting info but I've changed my brake fluid so many times and the same goes for others without any trouble so this was news to me."

With that being said, I enjoy learning something new everyday. I had just never heard that information before so thanks for sharing it.

 

Thanks Alex. As I said, changing brake fluid that needs to be changed to a higher temp fluid, or to get rid of moisture is fine. It is dangerous to bleed brakes that have boiled at the track or had components replaced. It is a fluid change, though, and NOT a system bleed that most people are doing at home. BTW, when I post, I mean to be informative rather than interesting.

Sol

 

So, Alex, when are the local guys going to give me some money so we can buy a PST2 for the local group. I have already asked Peter if I can buy the 3 that they have since there is the new tester, PIWIS.

Sol, nothing personal and you have a lot of info and I also learn something new every day. I am far from a mechanic, but I have the Boxster and 996 shop manuals. You do not need a PST2 to do a routine brake fluid change. If you replace the ABS/TC/PSM unit then yes, but only after a conventional brake fluid change.

Our shade tree group only does conventional changes, like Porsche says you should do every 2 years.

I also called Peter Smith on the phone and he confirmed. He is the shop manager at my local dealer and a PCA tech advisor. 408-244-5400. He told me to give out his number if anyone had a question.

This is the best I could do, for a C4 with PSM. If a turbo is different then I could not find it in the shop manual in my brief search.