Props to PADDO's AHC fluid replacement method!

[NJNeal]

Tried doing this today. Screwed it up. Center accumulator gave me about 400ml. Front about 600. Rear about 700. Started the truck and had to drive back and forth in driveway to get pump to engage. Lost a ton of fluid in the driveway. Rear bleeder felt closed but wasn't. Now it's at minimum but AHC is off and won't reset. I am at a loss how to proceed.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Need help gents, I don't know if I destroyed my AHC, made a mistake

Here were my steps,
1. I used a fluid extractor to remove the old AHC fluid on the reservoir (was about 1 liter of it that I took out) on LOW height mode.
2. Bled the the Globe at the front, driver side, got 1 liter.
3. Poured 1 liter of new AHC fluid onto the reservoir.
4. Turned on the engine for 30 seconds and turned it back OFF - this is the part I got confused (really don't know why I did this)
5. I Inspected that the reservoir and saw there was no more of the new AHC fluid that I just poured, so I poured bottle #2 all 1 liter of it, then took this photo (I hope it didn't sucked air to an extent I destroyed it?)
6. Then bled all remaining 4 spots including the accumulator and got 1 liter of old and dark brown AHC fluid.

All in all I was able to get approximately 3 liters of old AHC fluid give or take.

Bottle #3 (1 liter hasn’t arrived yet - today is its scheduled delivery by fedex.

Questions:
- is my AHC now blown?
- the current state of the AHC fluid reservoir level is between the LOW height and the HIGH height.

**I haven’t started the engine yet since my mishap. the 2nd bottle of new AHC fluid hasn’t circulated yet in the system and remains in the middle of the HIGH and LOW height level settings on the reservoir.

any insights and inputs are very much appreciated. thanks.

 

[bamabrock]

Need help gents, I don't know if I destroyed my AHC, made a mistake

Here were my steps,
1. I used a fluid extractor to remove the old AHC fluid on the reservoir (was about 1 liter of it that I took out) on LOW height mode.
2. Bled the the Globe at the front, driver side, got 1 liter.
3. Poured 1 liter of new AHC fluid onto the reservoir.
4. Turned on the engine for 30 seconds and turned it back OFF - this is the part I got confused (really don't know why I did this)
5. I Inspected that the reservoir and saw there was no more of the new AHC fluid that I just poured, so I poured bottle #2 all 1 liter of it, then took this photo (I hope it didn't sucked air to an extent I destroyed it?)
6. Then bled all remaining 4 spots including the accumulator and got 1 liter of old and dark brown AHC fluid.

All in all I was able to get approximately 3 liters of old AHC fluid give or take.

Bottle #3 (1 liter hasn’t arrived yet - today is its scheduled delivery by fedex.

Questions:
- is my AHC now blown?
- the current state of the AHC fluid reservoir level is between the LOW height and the HIGH height.

**I haven’t started the engine yet since my mishap. the 2nd bottle of new AHC fluid hasn’t circulated yet in the system and remains in the middle of the HIGH and LOW height level settings on the reservoir.

any insights and inputs are very much appreciated. thanks.

You should have put fluid to replace what you extracted before bleeding globes and shouldn't have started at all without having enough fluid.

 

[NJNeal]

In my experience, even when you really screw it up the system corrects itself with some driving. Ask me how I know.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

In my experience, even when you really screw it up the system corrects itself with some driving. Ask me how I know.

How? thanks.

-Paul

 

[apdxyk]

Just pour in another 0.5 litre and start the engine for a couple of minutes, check the level again, add more only if necessary and drive it. You are fine.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Just puur in another 0.5 litre and start the engine for a couple of minutes, check the level again, add more only if necessary and drive it. You are fine.

thank you for the encouraging insight. I will do that within the day it's a bit challenging if you have a 10 month old baby to take care of and a truck to toy around, the little princess always win.

Btw I measured the current height of the truck:

 

[apdxyk]

Good avoir-dupois system Metrology! I prefer mm Lord Kelvin would be proud of you, as metric system don't really matter as long as you are consistent.
Check the level of the fluid before and after you start the engine, check the levels again after changing heights as well. Add fluid only if necessary. Otherwise it is wasted and makes it harder to measure the gradation differential later on (but it doesn't hurt functionality). The fluid in the tank doesn't really work, it is a fluid-air buffer, you have to have enough of it, but it doesn't curculate downstairs into the working hydrolics.
Of course, don't start the engine, if the fluid level in the expansion tank is too low. It takes a minute or two to 'refuel' the system.
It is too early in Oz where Mr PADDO resides. Personally, I don't think you messed up anything yet.

Added: nice distance to the garage door, yet another metrological achievement. Be careful with those doors, otherwise you'll be on the market for a good buffer. Clean and neat garage, an oasis of emptiness, my hat is off to you...

 

[OEMGUY0720]

thanks @apdxyk sharp eye I designed it that way to maximize all available space in my garage. if you notice right in front of the windshield of the LX, (there's also one on the left of the photo) a tennis ball hanging - these are my markers for both cars to be parked closest to the garage door w/o hitting the rear bumpers when it closes. There's also a blue tape on the garage floor to indicate the parking line for the front tire of the other car (there's also one on the drive side of the LX). measured and squared up, precision parking.

My tools are squared up spaced on the wall, I like to see them right away w/o digging in a tool box.
My 10yo daughter have memorized their resting spots, when she helps out when I scrutinize the cars and my RC cars.

Tools:

Detailing stuff:

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Update:
I was able to get a chance to top up the AHC fluid and cycled from N to L to H to N to L for about 3 cycles. Wasn't able to take it out around the neighborhood for testing. So far parked on the garage, no errors / blinking light on the dash.
There is about 11 or 12 graduation difference between L and H setting.

Levels on the reservoir are back to its initial setting prior to me draining the old AHC fluid using the fluid extractor and bleeding it on all 5 points. Thanks to this thread and to all who helped. @apdxyk @NJNeal and to @PADDO for the comprehensive how-to in troubleshooting our AHCs.

I have this much new AHC fluid left, should I just pour it all in the reservoir or leave it as it is? (approx 180mL)

 

[Ramathorn15]

You're fine. If anything you introduced some air into the system and may have to do another bleed. The level should be between the min/max marks in the N position on flat ground. Looks like your a bit below the min notch from the photos.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

You're fine. If anything you introduced some air into the system and may have to do another bleed. The level should be between the min/max marks in the N position on flat ground. Looks like your a bit below the min notch from the photos.

Good catch! I just topped it up earlier before leaving and drove it now for a quick grocery run. Oh boy the suspension rides way smoother now. And no errors in the dash! Day and night difference. Glad I did it and thankful for all your help here in mud.

Old AHC fluid:

 

[l3n0x]

How much fluid did you use? I'm hitting my head against the wall as I've only bought 2.5L, and not sure if I should start the procedure or rather not until I buy a second can.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

How much fluid did you use? I'm hitting my head against the wall as I've only bought 2.5L, and not sure if I should start the procedure or rather not until I buy a second can.

I have drained a total of almost 3 liters. I wanted to get the 2.5L can AHC fluid but found out that packaging has already been phased out. So went ahead and ordered 3 quantities of the part # 08886-81221 (1 liter AHC fluid).

 

[apdxyk]

In US they have phased out the very convenient 2.5 litre cans, you can buy them elsewhere. And that is all you need for drain and fill.

 

[LXINMT]

Just did this with no mechanical experience whatsoever. Great write up! My reservoir was very low to start, just sucked all that up, put 2L in and bled about 1.5. Topped off another .5-.75 at the end and she is purring. Tested it from low to high and got about 9 grads on an 06 w 200k. Doubt this flush had ever been done, stuff was black.

 

[mtan]

thanks to @PADDO i had bled my system already. I had 8 graduation mark before bleeding the system and now im on 10/11 graduation mark.

after i started up the car i went back to N mode, it did blink but when back to L. drove the car maybe 200 meters after and did the N-L-N mode. and dash light went back to N that time. Is there something do i need to worry about?

 

[nothappening]

Hi, thanks @PADDO for the procedure. I've just finished it and do have some concern about potentially introducing air to the system. When I was on the front left side my tubing slipped off the bleeder screw, mayhem ensued, and I wasn't able to close the bleeder screw before the fluid had stopped flowing. I'm not sure how long it was open and not flowing, 3-5 seconds maybe... is this something I should be concerned about? The rest of the procedure went according to the write-up.

Thanks guys!

edit: I see it's probably nothing to worry about according to post #27 here: replacing AHC globes/accumulators

 

[SouthSide]

Hey gang- new to the forum here. Just purchased a 2000 LX 470. Overall in good cosmetic and mechanical condition, but noticed the rear is leaning about 1" (rear passenger is about 1" lower than driver side). First looked into torsion bar adjust, but noticed the AHC levels are very low even in the L setting. My AHC does work even with low fluids- assuming there is enough in the lines to raise & lower. So first on the list will be an AHC flush with new fluids to FSM min/max.

The posted instructions seem pretty straight forward for DIY. I am a bit unclear on the bleeding- the diagram notes 5 areas with fluid bleeders (height control accumulator + 4 dampers), but the instructions only refer to bleeding on the LH side. I assume the LH is "left hand" or drivers side? As PADDO's method notes, both sides will lower when bleeding front & rear on LH side. Could someone clarify if bleeding is ALSO required on the RH right hand/passenger side?

*PADDO if you see this, I am also in Charlotte. Would love to connect! Send PM- I would rather pay for your expertise, especially since you are nearby- rather than me pissing away time & money from my newbie trial & error. So probably looking at torsion bar adjust or re-indexing after AHC fluids, would love some help.

Also- thanks to all the members for all the valuable input! This site has quickly become my "go to" resource for 100 series!

 

[OwnerCS]

Great write up! Thank you.