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SILVER Star
I've seen this post by @IndroCruise but I'd like to know what other members experience is on this particular aspect of AHC.
Some backstory... I decided that at 207k miles it was time to replace the original globes on my '07 LC. My AHC pressures are well within spec. I got a good deal on globes from Impex and did the job along with a fluid flush on New Year's Day. I accidentally overshot the bleed so the fluid level was just under minimum at N height. Not enough to be alarmed about, but I did drive gently and didn't put it in HI for the last couple weeks out of caution.
Right away I noticed that it was taking an exceptionally long time to go from LO to N. What was normally done by the time I got to the end of my street, now was the end of the block. And the difference in ride quality I was expecting with the new globes just wasn't there. I figured air was still in the system so I immediately ordered up a fresh 2.5L can of AHC fluid to bleed it out again.
Got on it today. Did a drive earlier so I started with a warm truck. First thing, I couldn't find the 10mm wrench I use for bleeding. Classic car guy problems. Anyway, as per usual I followed the ABCs of AHC thread and got to bleeding. I did not suck the old fluid out of the reservoir as it had only been in there for less than two weeks. I just added to the reservoir and got to bleeding. A good amount of air was coming out of the system so that was a good sign. I got to the right front bleeder and found my 10mm bleeding wrench hanging out.
After the bleed the fluid level was spot on in N so I ran some tests. Here's the time from LO to HI. Without me in the seat, from the time I shut the door until the light stopped flashing.
That seemed like way too long to me. I still had extra fluid so I decided to bleed it again. More air came out, especially from the accumulator. Ran the test again.
What the hell. I still have more fluid left in the can so might as well give it a third bleed. After the third bleed I was out of fresh fluid but the level was right on the MAX mark at N height on the reservoir. I ran the test again, forgot to screenshot it but it was around 56 seconds. So I tried it from LO to N.
That seems reasonable, I think? I tried it from N to HI and once again forgot the screenshot but it was at 24 seconds. That seems odd, 19+24= 43 but it takes a lot longer to go straight from LO to HI. So I ran the LO to HI test again for giggles.
In any case, my ride quality does feel very much improved. If I had a 55 gallon drum of AHC fluid I'd keep pumping it through there but at roughly $70 a can delivered this could expensive really fast. Maybe I'll plan on replacing the pump the next time I need to do a fluid flush(?) I'm curious to know what others have experienced, what are your times?
Some backstory... I decided that at 207k miles it was time to replace the original globes on my '07 LC. My AHC pressures are well within spec. I got a good deal on globes from Impex and did the job along with a fluid flush on New Year's Day. I accidentally overshot the bleed so the fluid level was just under minimum at N height. Not enough to be alarmed about, but I did drive gently and didn't put it in HI for the last couple weeks out of caution.
Right away I noticed that it was taking an exceptionally long time to go from LO to N. What was normally done by the time I got to the end of my street, now was the end of the block. And the difference in ride quality I was expecting with the new globes just wasn't there. I figured air was still in the system so I immediately ordered up a fresh 2.5L can of AHC fluid to bleed it out again.
Got on it today. Did a drive earlier so I started with a warm truck. First thing, I couldn't find the 10mm wrench I use for bleeding. Classic car guy problems. Anyway, as per usual I followed the ABCs of AHC thread and got to bleeding. I did not suck the old fluid out of the reservoir as it had only been in there for less than two weeks. I just added to the reservoir and got to bleeding. A good amount of air was coming out of the system so that was a good sign. I got to the right front bleeder and found my 10mm bleeding wrench hanging out.
After the bleed the fluid level was spot on in N so I ran some tests. Here's the time from LO to HI. Without me in the seat, from the time I shut the door until the light stopped flashing.
That seemed like way too long to me. I still had extra fluid so I decided to bleed it again. More air came out, especially from the accumulator. Ran the test again.
What the hell. I still have more fluid left in the can so might as well give it a third bleed. After the third bleed I was out of fresh fluid but the level was right on the MAX mark at N height on the reservoir. I ran the test again, forgot to screenshot it but it was around 56 seconds. So I tried it from LO to N.
That seems reasonable, I think? I tried it from N to HI and once again forgot the screenshot but it was at 24 seconds. That seems odd, 19+24= 43 but it takes a lot longer to go straight from LO to HI. So I ran the LO to HI test again for giggles.
In any case, my ride quality does feel very much improved. If I had a 55 gallon drum of AHC fluid I'd keep pumping it through there but at roughly $70 a can delivered this could expensive really fast. Maybe I'll plan on replacing the pump the next time I need to do a fluid flush(?) I'm curious to know what others have experienced, what are your times?