AHC fluid replacement cost (6 Viewers)

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Joined
Aug 29, 2011
Threads
112
Messages
512
Location
Santa Barbara, CA
Can anyone in the brain trust here tell me what a reasonable cost is to have the AHC fluid replaced? My '14 LX is about to turn 60,000 miles and I need to get that done. Don't really want to have the dealer do the whole 60,000 mile service- just the AHC fluid. I had my mechanic do the rest of the work as he is a retired BMW mechanic but he doesn't have the reset tools for the AHC. I am in Santa Barbara for reference.
Thanks in advance for your help.
 
Can anyone in the brain trust here tell me what a reasonable cost is to have the AHC fluid replaced? My '14 LX is about to turn 60,000 miles and I need to get that done. Don't really want to have the dealer do the whole 60,000 mile service- just the AHC fluid. I had my mechanic do the rest of the work as he is a retired BMW mechanic but he doesn't have the reset tools for the AHC. I am in Santa Barbara for reference.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Have your mechanic do it. The only tools needed are a wrench to open the bleed screws, a tube to route the bled old fluid to a container and a pump to lift the new fluid into the reservoir. It’s honestly as simple as bleeding brakes, easier since you don’t have to have someone pumping a pedal. You can find the procedure on here and print it out for your guy. The hardest part might be finding fluid in stock (get the canned stuff, not the stuff in the plastic bottles).
 
$150 in fluid plus 1.5 hours labour, for a decent shop. $250 in fluid plus 6 hours labour, plus $8k in replacement parts afterwards for a garbage shop.

Jokes aside, use some pb blaster or liquid wrench on the bleeders a day in advance.
 
Last edited:
There is nothing to reset. You will get the "Check AHC system" error when you start the car after each bleed but that will clear as the fluid is circulated. Two 2.5 liter tins should be plenty to flush out the system.
 
$150 in fluid plus 1.5 hours labour, for a decent shop. $250 in fluid plus 6 hours labour, plus $8k in replacement parts afterwards for a garbage shop.

Jokes aside, use some pb blaster or liquid wrench on the bleeders a day in advance.
I usually charge 2.0 hours (dealer). I bet it’s been a year since I’ve done an AHC bleed. Definitely hit those bleeders with some penetrating oil!

Buy the AHC fluid that comes in the steel can. Don’t count on it being in stock locally.

Closely follow the bleed procedure in the repair manual.

Also, do not let the reservoir go dry. Check it often while you’re bleeding.
Once again, do not let the reservoir go dry.
Backlight the reservoir while you’re doing this process. It can be hard to see the true fluid level since the plastic will be stained red. Be certain of how much fluid is in there.

A hand transfer pump helps with getting the fluid into the reservoir and also helps afterward when adjusting the fluid level.

After you’re done bleeding set the system to low and set your fluid level.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom