Type and how much brake fluid for pressure flush - P80 and P2

[scot850]

I have only done one brake flush on a P2 and been a while on the P80 as the dealer did it last and as the car is garaged and does very low kms, it does not get as much moisture in it according to my tester. If I recall correctly on the 02 XC70 I flushed the brakes on with a pressure bleeder is used 2 liters of fluid but I now can't recall. Does anyone do this regularly and how much fluid should I buy for a flush?

Second question. P80 V70 and 06 XC70 both state to use Dot 4+ brake fluid. For some reason all I can find is Dot 3 or 4 locally. Dot 4 is not the same as Dot 4+ with different viscosities and boiling points. Strangely, a picture on a Volvo parts sight shows a can of Volvo brake fluid for a P2 which states Dot 4 only on it's front??

Now you have Dot 5.1 which some manufacturer's like Land Rover use. This supersedes BOTH Dot 3 and Dot 4 as well as Dot 4.1

Now there is a newer fluid which in turn supersedes all of those and is compatible that Bosch supplies:

Bosch brake fluid

Strange thing is this is cheaper than Dot 5.1 from Rock Auto than I can buy Dot 5.1 locally!

Any thoughts on either or guidance is appreciated! I have both Volvos and the old 4 Runner (Dot 3) all needing brake flushes this year!

Neil.

[P80GLT]

2 litres will be more than enough to allow you to flush all the old fluid out.

Dot4+ seems to be difficult to find now but after a lot of searching my local Mercedes Benz dealer stocks it by the pallet load...

The MB part# for anyone struggling to find DOT4+ is A000989560509 which supersedes part# A000989560511

DOT4Plus.jpeg (77.66 KiB) Viewed 647 times

[abscate]

I use the Pentosin DOT 4 from FCP, you know why…

You can flush to clean on all four calipers with 1 liter , just barely. It also helps if you Turkey blaster out all the old fluid from up top , too. I always have 2 liters on hand , just in case I’m under pressure. Brakes can bleed you dry, drum roll , please

[scot850]

Yike, and the puns keep coming................!

My very helpful parts friend at one of the local Volvo dealers got back to me quickly. He says they now only use the newer Volvo part numbers on all the Volvos which is a Dot 5.1 so backwards compatible and also has a longer life span and less prone to moisture absorption. Volvo part number is listed below in his reply:

Ours is all the same, we only supply one type and its for DOT 4 & dot 5.1 systems, min wet boiling point is 347*F so looks like it’s the full 5.1 spec but this would reduce if mixed with a dot 4 fluid. These are interchangeable and both glycol based fluid, our part# is 32214962 for an 800ml can and goes for $39.45 (CDN).

Much appreciate your wise inputs guys! I think I'll try the new Bosch product as being a good Scot, price helps at $14/liter. 6 liters from Rock auto with shipping to Calgary is $105 CDN which is affordable!

Neil.

[MoVolvos]

.
In recent history did complete flush on an 00 S70, 03 Odyssey, 03 S80 T6, 03 GS300, 05 GS430 & 08 C30. Flushed the entire system usually with 2 Liters. Have definitely mixed over the year but now trying to stay with one brand at a time. The following all worked fine over the years especially if you find it on sale at Walmart, Big Box Automotive or Amazon.

Only saw 2 rear brake calipers with a little rust otherwise no issues really with the old fluid. Most brake systems are bullet proof in terms of contamination and moisture intrusion. Besides brake fluid is not rocket fuel critical.
.
Johnsen's 5034 Premium Synthetic DOT-4 Brake Fluid - 1 Gallon
Super Tech Dot 4 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid, 32 fl oz
Lucas Oil Products 10826 Synthetic Brake Fluid for All with DOT3 Brake Fluid Applications 32 Ounce
Prestone Dot 4 Brake Fluid 32 fl oz
Valvoline 601458 Synthetic DOT 3 & DOT 4 Brake Fluid, 32 oz

[scot850]

Thanks for the info and for me the confirmation that 2 liters is about the right amount. The systems only get corroded by lack of flushing due to moisture absorption over time. We are advised in our area to flush every 3-4 years. You can of course now buy cheap brake fluid testers, but I don't know how accurate they are. Come to think of it I may have one! If I have and can find it I will try and see what it tells me.

The Volvo handbooks list Dot 4+ not Dot 4. They have different viscosities and boiling points. In regular driving you may not notice a big difference other than a softer pedal with Dot 4.

I have purchased the Bosch product I mentioned above as it is a fluid that is backward compatible for Dot 4+ which seems to be impossible to find in North America. Volvo as I mentioned here now supply Dot 5.1 for all applications.

Neil.

[abscate]

I usually do 2 cars on a weekend because I hate opening a new can for 100 mL of fluid. Replace any bleeders that aren’t pristine while you do this, too.

[BlackBart]

I hate this. I have brand new (opened) containers on the shelf. But...brand new is probably a couple of years old at least. And each car gets a different type.

[BlackBart]

Question on a Motive bleeder type tool -

What is the reservoir cap diameter on a P2? Do you measure to the outside of the male threads?
I also have a 60's car with a 70mm cap - I don't see that on their site, although they imply the Miata adapter might work.

[scot850]

I'll check my Motive bleeder tool. I used it on a 02 P2 so hopefully I can get you an answer.

Neil.