Ok this might take a bit to explain so please bear with me....

I own a 1982 Mercedes 380SEL....

I recently put a new disk rotor on the back right wheel. during this proceedure I also changed both rear break pads. After I put everything back together I tried to bleed the break lines....The back right break line seemed to bleed correctly. Then I tried to bleed the left rear break and noticed that there was no fluid comming out of the bleeder only air. I checked the reservoir under the hood and noticed that it seems to be broken up into two sections, which I am guessing one is for the right side of the car, and one for the left, or perhaps one for the front breaks, and one for the rear breaks, but I dont really know for sure.....Anyway....The reservoir section closest to the front of the car is totally empty. How can I get fluid into that section? There is only one cap on the reservoir for replacing break fluid and you would think that it would level out as you add more, but it doesnt. Am I missing something here? Is my master cylinder damaged? Is the empty part of the reservoir where the fluid ends up at the other end of the break system? I am really lost here and I really could use any help that anyone can offer me. Id really like to fix this myself and not take it to a shop or the Mercedes dealership because I would feel like I lost the battle. (I try to fix any car problems myself, I actually enjoy it as I find it challanging)

I aquired this car only about two months ago and also noticed that the break calipers were different on each side, very similar, but definitly different in fact each bleeder screw from the left and right side was a different size and I almost wonder if this vehicle may have had break problems previously.

Anyway can anyone help to explain to me what I am doing wrong here? Perhaps some one could email me the info on changing break fluid from a mercedes tech manual or CD..... (ebgallery@ebgallery.com)

P.S. I noticed that when I pump the breaks the car engine surges, is that normal? Also when I took apart the back left calipers hardly any break fluid came out, while about 1/3 of a cup came out of the right rear breaks.

Thanks

Erik

I forgot to add that the left caliper had silty mud like stuff, build up right at the rubber seal where the two calipers fit together and the break fluid flows. Im sure that silty mud cant be good to have in the break line.

Common problem with these systems. You have to top the fluid up really high in order to get it into both chambers. While one may look normal, the other one can run dry. They are seperated for a reason. The mud is water saturated fluid mixed with contaminants such as rust and corrosion.

I rebuilt my front calipers after they had been neglected for years by previous owner. No amount of bleeding would have flushed the jelly I found in the bottoms of the caliper bores after removing the pistons.

This is why it's good "preventive Maintenence" to bleed the entire brake system every two years..... also flush the cooling system every two years

Thanks Q....You helped me solve my problem with getting break fluid into the second section of the reservoir....I was able to bleed the breaks and almost everything is fine, except now I have a new problem. However I am going to start a new post for this one. It will be titled....Breaks hum and get hot.

Thanks.

Filling the rear reservoir is tricky and it's tough to see the level. Look at the inside extreme rear of the reservoir. You should be able to see a different level or slight color difference between about the rear half-inch and the rest of the reservoir.

Fill the reservoir to almost the bottom of the fill hole, then slowly move it laterally back and forth and watch the inside rear for the rear reservoir to fill. If you fill the fluid to over the bottom of the fill hole air cannot escape and the rear reservoir will not fill!!!

BTW, it's brakes, not breaks.

Duke

Yeah, I remember something about two seperate circuits in your car. Gotta bleed one at a time or something?

Either way, bleeding brakes is not very fun. Wish I bought a power bleeder when I did mine (wore my poor friend's leg out).