Doing a flush & bleed but how much brake fluid is really in a brake system?

[Clicker]

So as routine maintenance I flush brake fluid like every car guy does but today I managed to break a bleeder screw which stopped me short of a full 4 wheel flush.

In total between the 3 wheels I collected about 200ml of old fluid which made me wonder how much is actually in the lines, hoses, manifold blocks and such.

It's an old 2002 Tundra and the reservoir is pretty small. I was unable to find any info on-line so what do you guys think.

 

[Mitch Rapp]

@Mike Overlay
@2ASteve

 

[Frack N Cylons]

I think @Pogue is the Tundra guy

 

[Carolinatlc]

We bled my son's 2005 Tundra recently after replacing the front calipers. Ended up using a little over 1/2 a quart total and things looked nice and clear. We probably bled more than was needed to completely flush. I always buy a quart just in case. I use the old quarts contents for the bleeder bottle the next time it's needed.

 

[Pogue]

Depends on the car really. Different size reservoirs, different sized pistons/bores the the calipers. A quart will flush just about any passenger car/light duty truck…as far as dry capacity I have no idea, that’s not something I encounter often.

 

[Clicker]

I guess it was easier when they sold colored fluid but that got regulated away. It's sorta hard to tell in this case since I've flushed or changed it a few times and the old fluid looks still okay.

Appreciate the responses gentlemen.

 

[2ASteve]

Sorry I was MIA all day and evening in Murder Beach.
Shopping no less got new britches that fit.
I always buy it by the gallon, Your use may very, quart should be good.
Buy a dollar store roaster bulb and suck the old fluid out add the fresh and gravity bleed all 4 at the same time by cutting some tygon tubing sliding up on the bleeders and loosen so they leak into empty drink bottles etc.
Let it sit a while and keep a check on the reservoir level and top as necessary.
Once you have clear fluid lock all bleeders and cap the reservoir and softly try the brake pedal, 3-4 soft pumps you should be good.
Never touch the brake pedal till the end.
Total time about 30-50 minutes,
Bonus one man job with no stuck antilock cups and light on.

 

[Infamous1]

Vaccum out resivior, top it off with new fluid and bleed. Start at farthest wheel away until fluid is clear. Gravity bleed works but is slow, vaccum or have a helper pump for you and work your way around. Top off to the full mark. Like was said earlier, a quart will do 99% of all vehicles. I don't know how much it really helps longevity but I have seen alot of crud come out of systems. I flush all my junk at around 100k miles for what its worth.