Frothy Brake Fluid Help

[Urtwob]

Hi guys,, before I start may I just restate my absolute gratitude to all you guys in this IH8MUD Forum.

I recently changed a rear brake Left hand side brake calliper. I bled the system as best I could. Vehicle drove well for 2 days, but then developed a very spongy (2 push) brake pedal. I have tried to bleed the system at least 5 to 6 times at this point.

But Found a small weep or leak at a small union welded to the chassis behind front right hand wheel. Fixed the problem with my local car mechanic. Then he and I started to try bleed thoroughly again. Could not get 2 push pedal problem sorted.

However upon my last couple of tries to bleed I concentrated on the Front Right hand calliper as closest to MC. Master Cylinder. But all I am getting for the last 6-7 bleed attempts is a thick Frothy Creamy fluid being pumped through my transparent evacuate tube from bleed nipple to my jar or container.

I can confirm I Never let Reservoir run dry.
My method was to have brake pedal pressed at least 3 times and then press solidly on pedal, I quickly nipped the bleed nipple open for about 1-2secs and nip closed again while the chap in car kept pushing down on brake pedal. I was careful to nip close nipple before all fluid run out of nipple to ensure no air intake.

I have carried out the accumulator test and was getting 35-40 seconds until switch off after pressing the brake pedal 40 times in rapid succession.

I just can’t get the system to push through clean clear fluid now.
I have gone around all of the brake fluid lines and the other calipers. The front left got a new calipers about 9 months ago.

Has anyone any ideas what might be causing this thick frothy discharge out of the bleed nipple.

A massive thank you for any help guys.

 

[frawstme]

Are you following the FSM process? Im half asleep and havent had my coffee yet but you mentioned only bleeding one side during a bleed, that's not the correct process

BLEEDING ( 1999.8 - ) | Repair Manual | BRAKE | BRAKE FLUID (w/ ABS...

Comprehensive information on BLEEDING ( 1999.8 - ) in the Repair Manual BRAKE BRAKE FLUID (w/ ABS) section for the LC100 service manual.

lc100e.github.io

That's the FSM page associated with it. The order of which you bleed the lines apparently matter.

Frothy is caused by air being in the lines, which is the same issue that's causing the soft pedal. It doesn't sound like there's anything inheritly wrong with your brake system, just needs to be properly flushed

 

[2001LC]

Post in thread 'brake bleed question'

Feb 17, 2025

can air travel from one line to the others?

Each line is independent.

YES! In 98-99 ( 3 brake line, with only one line to rear), one can move air in rear line, from one side to the other. But would be difficult to do, without trying.
NO! In 00-07 (4 brake line, each independent).
Yes! If reservoir gets to low. Air can go in one or more lines.

I would just start over flush and bleed, without fancy tools. Using only Toyota brake fluid.

I have flush and bleed procedure written up a few places. I'll write it up again, here:

First read and understand how to properly...

• 2001LC

• 
• 

 

[Urtwob]

Are you following the FSM process? Im half asleep and havent had my coffee yet but you mentioned only bleeding one side during a bleed, that's not the correct process

BLEEDING ( 1999.8 - ) | Repair Manual | BRAKE | BRAKE FLUID (w/ ABS...

Comprehensive information on BLEEDING ( 1999.8 - ) in the Repair Manual BRAKE BRAKE FLUID (w/ ABS) section for the LC100 service manual.

lc100e.github.io

That's the FSM page associated with it. The order of which you bleed the lines apparently matter.

Frothy is caused by air being in the lines, which is the same issue that's causing the soft pedal. It doesn't sound like there's anything inheritly wrong with your brake system, just needs to be properly flushed

Thanks for replying frawstme, much appreciated. Yes we did go through the prescribed process a number of times, it was only late on yesterday that I decided to focus on just 1 bleed nipple to see if I could get any sign of a solid clear fluid coming through. Hands up, this is probably not an idea at all but I was running out of desire to live at that stage. I take your point and will go back to FSM Process.
I don’t have a functioning TechStream just now, is it essential to have TechStream to go through the ABS Bleed process?

Ps I am in Ireland. Right hand side drive on an old 1998 LC100 4.2. This is why I’m having TechStream issues as due to “Region” issues I couldn’t get any AHC data to show up on the system. So am midway through reinstalling on an old Windows 7 platform.

 

[frawstme]

Thanks for replying frawstme, much appreciated. Yes we did go through the prescribed process a number of times, it was only late on yesterday that I decided to focus on just 1 bleed nipple to see if I could get any sign of a solid clear fluid coming through. Hands up, this is probably not an idea at all but I was running out of desire to live at that stage. I take your point and will go back to FSM Process.
I don’t have a functioning TechStream just now, is it essential to have TechStream to go through the ABS Bleed process?

Ps I am in Ireland. Right hand side drive on an old 1998 LC100 4.2. This is why I’m having TechStream issues as due to “Region” issues I couldn’t get any AHC data to show up on the system. So am midway through reinstalling on an old Windows 7 platform.

I have a 2000 MY RHD from japan, and live in America. I was able to get Techstream to pick mine up with the Amazon kit for like $30. I did have to install a Japanese language pack into my windows operating system, though.

however it's my understanding that Techstream is not necessary for brake bleeds. Tech stream just actuates the brake controller which can be done by pumping the pedal (a lot more than 3 times though). The only difference is needing two people or doing it on your own with Techstream

The above linked thread is interesting though, I didn't know the 98 model year had a different brake system than mine. That's worth reading through

Edit: timmy the tool man has a really good video on 100 series brake bleeds

 

[Urtwob]

I have a 2000 MY RHD from japan, and live in America. I was able to get Techstream to pick mine up with the Amazon kit for like $30. I did have to install a Japanese language pack into my windows operating system, though.

however it's my understanding that Techstream is not necessary for brake bleeds. Tech stream just actuates the brake controller which can be done by pumping the pedal (a lot more than 3 times though). The only difference is needing two people or doing it on your own with Techstream

The above linked thread is interesting though, I didn't know the 98 model year had a different brake system than mine. That's worth reading through

Edit: timmy the tool man has a really good video on 100 series brake bleeds

Cheers my friend. Would you happen to have a link for “Timmy the tool man”. Is this on this MUD Forum or is it on you tube.?

 

[frawstme]

Cheers my friend. Would you happen to have a link for “Timmy the tool man”. Is this on this MUD Forum or is it on you tube.?

well here's his channel..

https://www.youtube.com/@TimmyTheToolman/search?query=brake

.. I can't find the video that I watched on the 100 series though. It may have been a different person that made them and I'm misremembering, or it may have been one of the videos where he is replacing calipers and does the brake flush alongside the calipers

Amazon.com

and incase you need it in the future here is the techstream device that i got, it includes techstream on a disk

 

[2001LC]

Three rules:

1. Do not mix brands of brake fluid. Using Toyota Brake fluid is best (only fluid I use).
2. Never lift foot off brake pedal, while bleeder open.
3. Keep resevoir fluid level above low line.

Tip:
Make sure to evacuate accumulator a few times. Then set level.

 

[Urtwob]

well here's his channel..

https://www.youtube.com/@TimmyTheToolman/search?query=brake

.. I can't find the video that I watched on the 100 series though. It may have been a different person that made them and I'm misremembering, or it may have been one of the videos where he is replacing calipers and does the brake flush alongside the calipers

Amazon.com

and incase you need it in the future here is the techstream device that i got, it includes techstream on a disk

Cheers Sir, this is all very helpful. I already have the Mini VCI J2534 cable and it is working well for me. So I had TechStream up and running on a MacBook platform and it was all functioning but it did not have the AHC Suspension Parameter on the TechStream program. I later found out that this was because Indocruise had set the program based upon it functioning in a North American format. While I being in Northern Ireland needed a program set up for Europe. But in fact I later found out that I could select Japan as the “Region” or the “Area”. But sadly when I did this Indocruise program no longer worked in that while I changed the region the program began asking me for an activation key. So this is as far as I have gotten too, still haven’t worked out how to sort out this “Activation Key” issue.

I did watch that Video on YouTube and indeed in the video the guy does say and use TechStream to finish The Brake Bleeding Process on the 1998 LC100.

I might have to set down my spanner’s this evening and go back to my old HP Laptop which is set up solely for the TechStream program and with the aid of my AI Friend try to get TechStream up and running again so as I can get this Brake Bleeding sorted on my cruiser.

 

[frawstme]

Cheers Sir, this is all very helpful. I already have the Mini VCI J2534 cable and it is working well for me. So I had TechStream up and running on a MacBook platform and it was all functioning but it did not have the AHC Suspension Parameter on the TechStream program. I later found out that this was because Indocruise had set the program based upon it functioning in a North American format. While I being in Northern Ireland needed a program set up for Europe. But in fact I later found out that I could select Japan as the “Region” or the “Area”. But sadly when I did this Indocruise program no longer worked in that while I changed the region the program began asking me for an activation key. So this is as far as I have gotten too, still haven’t worked out how to sort out this “Activation Key” issue.

I did watch that Video on YouTube and indeed in the video the guy does say and use TechStream to finish The Brake Bleeding Process on the 1998 LC100.

I might have to set down my spanner’s this evening and go back to my old HP Laptop which is set up solely for the TechStream program and with the aid of my AI Friend try to get TechStream up and running again so as I can get this Brake Bleeding sorted on my cruiser.

Well I'm glad to be of some help at least. When I installed techstream global, I had multiple region options. Could do NA, JP, EU, and I think another. I'd assume that EU is the option that you need to be using.

I still don't think it's fully necessary to use it, though. It literally just pumps the brakes for you instead of having a second person do it in place of the computer

 

[Urtwob]

Three rules:

1. Do not mix brands of brake fluid. Using Toyota Brake fluid is best (only fluid I use).
2. Never lift foot off brake pedal, while bleeder open.
3. Keep resevoir fluid level above low line.

Tip:
Make sure to evacuate accumulator a few times. Then set level.

Thank you 2001LC. Appreciate your responce. Can you confirm for me if I do indeed need TechStream to bleed the brakes on my 1998 4.2 LC100. It does have the brake accumulator and it is AHC. Just to confirm my cruiser identity. Hello from Northern Ireland.

I can’t confirm that I haven’t mixed brake fluids as I don’t know what previous owner had in the system. But I’m concerned now about this viscous creamy oil that is coming out of the bleed nipple. My troubles are all post a rear brake calliper which began to leak so was changed for a new one. After fitting new calliper and bleeding The cruiser drove for two days with no problems but I did acquire a spongy / 2 press pedal that was not there before. However the following day I lost pedal almost completely. Which leads me to my current problem with completing the bleeding process thoroughly.

 

[BullElk]

No techstream needed. Just simply attach a hose to the bleed valve and then secure other end to a container. Turn on vehicle to build pressure, sit in seat and pump out the fluid until brake pressure is gone. Repeat several times at each corner until your old fluid is out and your new clean fluid appears. No need for Techstream or to make things complicated. And from experience, this does not have to be done very often at all to have perfectly working brakes. I've done this once on my 507K mile LX and have never had any brake issues with all original braking system.

 

[Urtwob]

well here's his channel..

https://www.youtube.com/@TimmyTheToolman/search?query=brake

.. I can't find the video that I watched on the 100 series though. It may have been a different person that made them and I'm misremembering, or it may have been one of the videos where he is replacing calipers and does the brake flush alongside the calipers

Amazon.com

and incase you need it in the future here is the techstream device that i got, it includes techstream on a disk

Cheers Sir, this is all very helpful. I already have the

Post in thread 'brake bleed question'

Feb 17, 2025

can air travel from one line to the others?

Each line is independent.

YES! In 98-99 ( 3 brake line, with only one line to rear), one can move air in rear line, from one side to the other. But would be difficult to do, without trying.
NO! In 00-07 (4 brake line, each independent).
Yes! If reservoir gets to low. Air can go in one or more lines.

I would just start over flush and bleed, without fancy tools. Using only Toyota brake fluid.

I have flush and bleed procedure written up a few places. I'll write it up again, here:

First read and understand how to properly...

• 2001LC

• 
• 

apologies 2001LC I’m reading on an iPhone and truthfully not too tech savvy, but I didn’t pick up on the link you posted in earlier post. I have read thoroughly now.

No techstream needed. Just simply attach a hose to the bleed valve and then secure other end to a container. Turn on vehicle to build pressure, sit in seat and pump out the fluid until brake pressure is gone. Repeat several times at each corner until your old fluid is out and your new clean fluid appears. No need for Techstream or to make things complicated. And from experience, this does not have to be done very often at all to have perfectly working brakes. I've done this once on my 507K mile LX and have never had any brake issues with all original braking system.

Excellent, thank you for your reply BullElk.

Well I'm glad to be of some help at least. When I installed techstream global, I had multiple region options. Could do NA, JP, EU, and I think another. I'd assume that EU is the option that you need to be using.

I still don't think it's fully necessary to use it, though. It literally just pumps the brakes for you instead of having a second person do it in place of the computer

I am using the “TechStream in 5 minutes” download from the IH8MUD Forum. It did give me the option to change regions but for some reason it activated the need for an activation key.

 

[2001LC]

Tech Stream is NOT needed, to flush or bleed.