AHC Bleeding

[parnoren]

Quick question before I tackle the bleeding of the AHC this weekend:

Which would you bleed first, the Actuators or the Accumulator?

Thanks,

Pär

[parnoren]

Update:

Just did the bleeding/removing of the Active Height Control fluid. I bled the Actuators before the Accumulator, but noticed I needed to start the engine and raise the AHC to high in order to bleed the Accumulator.

In order to not get squished while doing the rears, I drove each wheel up on a small car ramp while doing the bleeding of that wheel. That way I hope made the suspension go all the way down each time. I did the same for the front wheels.

I noticed the color of the AHC fluid was different between the cans. The first can was totally clear, while the second and third had a red tint to it. I will ask the dealer next week if this is normal. Same part number and name on the can.

I'll take it for a ride later.

Pär
Vancouver

[1loudLX]

Par, where did you get the instructions to do it? the FSM?

[adam4x4]

I just did the same and noticed the AHC fluid I bought had the red tint also. Last can I had did not have this tint. I'm positive it is no big deal but am curious to know why the switch. Let us know what you find out.

[parnoren]

Originally Posted by 1loudLX

Par, where did you get the instructions to do it? the FSM?

A combination of the online FSM and the findings from this forum. The only thing I couldn't get an answer on is how to bleed the Accumulator, but it seemed to work the way I did it. I also bled the accumulator until the fluid level was in line with the Max line at "N".

Pär

[parnoren]

Originally Posted by adam4x4

I just did the same and noticed the AHC fluid I bought had the red tint also. Last can I had did not have this tint. I'm positive it is no big deal but am curious to know why the switch. Let us know what you find out.

Maybe Toyota decided to add a tint to the fluid to prevent the tank being filled with fluids which don't belong there.

Pär

[parnoren]

I checked with the master mechanic at the dealership and has noticed the same thing. Sometimes pink and sometimes clear. He doesn't know why. Maybe it isn't important, but if anybody finds an answer, please post it here.

Pär

[wileypost]

Do you all get your fluid at the dealership? Is that the only place to get it? Mine is running a little low and I haven't been able to find it anywhere else.

[parnoren]

As far as I know, the dealership is the only place where you're sure to get the correct fluid for the AHC. I think Lexus of Seattle in Lynnwood is cheaper than the one in Bellevue.

Sorry, I see you might be closer to Portland and they are even cheaper than the Seattle Dealerships. Plus there is no tax.

I used almost 3 cans for the job.

[Serge]

I will be doing the AHC fluid flush this weekend. I found a short write up on this board that mentioned that 1 can is enough. You are saying that you used three. Would you say the one can is not enough for sure?

Serge

P.S. I bought my one can of fluid at Lexus of Seattle in Lynnwood for $27.54 tax included

[parnoren]

I just wanted to make sure I got all the air out of the actuators AND the accumulator (lots of air bubbles when doing the accumulator) without letting the tank go dry which will cause all kinds of problems (according to other posts.) I think I could have done it with two, but I bought three in case. I did have to take some out of the tank to bring it down to the max line when I was finished.

[adam4x4]

Buy the fluid at Toyota. Same part number and with 25% off, it runs about $16 per liter (can).

Why pay Lexus more for the exact same thing?

[Serge]

When I was buying coolant at Toyota I also asked for the AHC fluid. The parts monkey didn't know what I was talking about.

Serge

[hoser]

I wouldn't blame him. AHC didn't come out till 2006 for the LC's and not many of those have reached 60k miles, the maintenance interval.

[dfrelich]

Originally Posted by Serge

I will be doing the AHC fluid flush this weekend. I found a short write up on this board that mentioned that 1 can is enough. You are saying that you used three. Would you say the one can is not enough for sure?

Serge

P.S. I bought my one can of fluid at Lexus of Seattle in Lynnwood for $27.54 tax included

I'm going to do the flush this weekend. I want to be sure how much I will need? I do not see definite answer in this thread or elsewhere. How much is it in a can? I'm thinking a CAN will be much smaller than a bottle? My local dealer quoted me $26.35 for 2.5 liter bottle.

I asked them to order two to be on a safe side. Before I pick it up this weekend, how much do I really need? One 2.5 liter bottle is enough?

[parnoren]

I think they only come in 2.5L cans. No bottles.

I don't think one can will be enough if you're going to flush the actuators AND the accumulator.

I used 2.5 cans but I had a lot of air in the accumulator.

Make absolutely sure you check the level in the tank regularly so you don't let it go dry.

[dfrelich]

Originally Posted by parnoren

I think they only come in 2.5L cans. No bottles.

I don't think one can will be enough if you're going to flush the actuators AND the accumulator.

I used 2.5 cans but I had a lot of air in the accumulator.

Make absolutely sure you check the level in the tank regularly so you don't let it go dry.

Thanks. I'll go with 2 cans then. I have a friend coming over for BBQ so he'll help me keep eye on the tank for me.

Me wonder if I should use pump instead of raising the truck high? I can keep the truck low and work with hand pump brake bleeder. I would think it works the same way?

[dfrelich]

I did the fluid change yesterday. It was easy to do. Took me total of 1 and half hour to do it. (could have been less)

Savings of $275. My Lexus dealership wanted $325 to do the flush. So I bought two cans of 2.5 liter AHC Fluid from my local Toyota parts dept for $26 and some change for each can. (Toyota Part #08886-01805)

While the instructions above are very clear. One thing I wished I knew was... what I needed to begin with.

Listed below are items you need.
- 3 feet of 3/16" ID clear tube
- 1 Gallon Jug (I used oil jug after I did my oil change)
- 10mm Box Wrench
- Large Drip Pan
- Disposal Gloves
- Shop towels

If you are careful, we can do it with one 2.5l can, but I had to use more.

I lost my wrench when I was cracking open one of the actuator w my truck set at "HIGH". As I was scrambling to find my wrench, I took 11mm wrench by mistake (it was sitting next to few other wrenches because I did not know what size I needed to begin with). In the process of trying to find the right wrench, the hose came loose. It was a good while before I managed to close the bleeder. Man, it was a messy clean up.

Anybody wants to buy remains of my 2.5l can? About 2.2 liter left. I'm in Maryland.