You can do it but you'll need someone to help you bleed the brakes.
First thing I'd do is make sure all the bleeder screws will open at the calipers. If so, you can proceed...if not, well.....
Get a turkey baster or some other thing to suck out the old brake fluid from the master cylinder. After doing that, fill with fresh DOT 3 brake fluid.
Have a helper sit in the drivers seat and start at the right rear caliper. Open the bleeder screw slightly and have your helper apply pressure to the brake pedal. Make sure your helper doesn't release the pedal with the bleeder screw open. Have him/her "hold" the pedal down until you've tightened the screw. Otherwise it will draw air into your brake system.
Close the bleeder and tell your helper to release the pedal. (You'll want to collect the old brake fluid in some kind of container.) DON'T LET THE MASTER CYLINDER RUN DRY OF BRAKE FLUID! Occasionally check the brake fluid level and keep bleeding the right rear caliper till it pumps out clean, fresh fluid. Go to the left rear caliper...do the same. Then the right front then the left front.
Again, Don't let the master cylinder run dry of brake fluid.
After you are all done, get some brake cleaner and spray down all the brake fluid that might have gotten on the calipers, pads, wheels, etc.
The key thing(s) is to flush out the old fluid, make sure the master cylinder stays full during the bleeding process, that your helper "holds" the pedal down until you've tightened the bleeder screw.
Do this and you'll be fine.
Good luck!
most people never flush their brake fluid. manufacturers have service intervals anywhere from 2 to 5 years for brake fluid.
A brake fluid flush is designed to remove moisture from the brake fluid. Most cars can be driven many years without this service, only have it done if you know for sure that there is moisture in the fluid or if in the owners' manual they suggest that you have this done at certain times.
MOISTURE IN YOUR BRAKE FLUID. FLUSH SYSTEM WITH NEW FLUID.
yes definitely
After having problems with seizing wheel cylinders and other brake problems due to moisture in the hydroscopic brake fluid, I started flush clean fluid through the brake systems of my vehicles every 2 years... Have not had a single corrosion (or any brake problem for that matter) since...
Brake fluid can corrode your water pump. If you didn't start the engine after installing the brake fluid, then pump the reservoir empty, flush it with water and refill it with proper coolant. If you DID start it, you need to flush the whole cooling system.
Change and flush the transfer case fluid immediately.
Flush with a lot of water and call a doctor.
Most UK vehicles, the recommendation period is two years for mineral brake fluid. Silicon fluid should not need changing as it does not absorb water.
Not an answer - an additional question. My Toyota dealer tells me my brake fluid is dirty (on my newly-acquired 2005 Corolla), and he wants to charge me $175.00 to flush my brake fluid. That strikes me as outrageous! What is involved other than draining fluid and replacing it just like changing the oil? My (non-mechanic) husband asks how the brake fluid can get dirty in the first place. It's not running through the engine like oil does . . (Also he wants $175.00 to flush the transmission . . .)
You should flush and replace the brake fluid in your brake system every two years. You can change your own brake fluid, but service facilities now do this with brake flushing machines. If you find have a brake fluid leak or you have to bleed your brakes, youll have to restore the brake fluid in your master cylinder to its proper level. Here are some things that you should know about buying and using brake fluid
By bleeding your brakes as you would normally. Just run enough brake fluid through to fill the reservoir 2 times.