About Ron Cris Expertise I welcome all questions about basic automotive repair..Brakes..Front End and Engine rebuilding..I am especially trained in rebuilding Chevrolet v8 Engines.
Experience I have 25 yrs experience a a journeyman mechanic
Question Hello Ron,
I have a 1984 Chevy G20 van with a 305/5.0L. It blew some brake lines the other day, the two that go across the front frame, and lost all brakes. After replacing both lines, it must be bled. I filled the master cylinder and pumped up the brake pedal. Then I realized I forgot to put the cover back on the master cylinder and it blew brake fluid all over. The larger part of the reservoir has a plastic piece in the center bottom, I assume where it sucks the fluid into, and it was out above the fluid level in air while I was pumping the brakes. After correcting my mistake and refilling the reservoir with brake fluid and toppping it with the cap, I had an assistant pump the pedal while I was going to start bleeding the brakes from the right rear, furthest from the master cylinder. I got nothing out the bleeder. Every other wheel the same thing. The pedal would go to the floor first, but pump up good when you pumped it. Then after a minute, it was back to the floor until you pumped it up again. Could it be that I mistakenly let air in the master cylinder and need to bleed that first now? If so, is there an easy way on the vehicle of doing this (i.e. I saw a friend in his garage bleed the master cylinder one time by cracking the brake line beneath it, can this be done?)? I'm just surprised that I opened the bleeders and nothing came out after someone had pumped up the pedal. Thanks for your thoughts.
Answer yes..try bleeding the MC at the lines..
pump up the pedal..then bleed..all at once first couple trys..
then try one at a time...
if you get pressure at each line....the MC is working..
next bleed all the wheels again..+ make sure the brakes are adjusted properly..
good luck..
RC
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R.C.
