A Look into the DSC Brake Bleeding Routine

[FaRKle!]

It's pretty commonly mentioned that there's a "DSC bleed" that's sometimes needed on these BMWs, but I didn't see any information out there actually showing the process. On the surface it sounds pretty simple, use a scanner device or ISTA to activate the DSC module and bleed fluid, but the routine is actually more complicated than that. I'll show you below what the routine looks like in ISTA.

Originally Posted by Index

0:00 Intro and prework
0:53 ISTA connecting to car
1:30 Finding the DSC bleed routine in ISTA
2:14 DSC bleed procedure intro
3:35 First internal DSC activation
4:49 Rear axle DSC bleed
6:52 Front axle DSC bleed
7:31 Last internal DSC activation
8:13 Finishing the procedure
8:39 Closing remarks

And if you need a refresher on brake bleeding in general:

Originally Posted by Index

0:39 Amount of fluid for change
1:05 Bleeding tools I like using
2:28 Getting to the brake fluid reservoir
2:59 Brake fluid reservoir overview
3:17 Pressure bleeder installation and operation
3:59 Bleed nipple overview
4:42 Bleeding the brakes
5:14 Refilling the brake fluid reservoir mid-bleed
6:15 Bleeding the rest of the corners
6:41 Closing up the brake fluid reservoir and engine compartment
7:23 Brake fluid disposal

[RugbyBro]

Thanks for this! This has been the impetus for setting up ISTA for me, so appreciate the walk thru on this specific function

[jim1013yyf]

I did this with a Foxwell NT530 handheld - exact same procedure. Highly recommend to have another person help out during the process.

[m4forum]

I did this last weekend .... thank you for putting this together. I just noticed you need to press the brake pedal hard in order to avoid getting the error message. With the good tips was straight forward.

[dvq]

Can this be done solo?

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by dvq

Can this be done solo?

Yup, I do it solo all the time.

Open bleed screw, hurry to driver's seat and press on brake pedal, then hit continue on laptop, pump the pedal a few times, then hurry back to caliper to close the bleed nipple. Hahaha.

[m4forum]

I have done it solo. NP.

[dvq]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

Yup, I do it solo all the time.

Open bleed screw, hurry to driver's seat and press on brake pedal, then hit continue on laptop, pump the pedal a few times, then hurry back to caliper to close the bleed nipple. Hahaha.

Good to know did you have to make any changes due to aftermarket calipers like AP racing? Or even with multiple bleed nipples on OEM fronts?

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by dvq

Good to know did you have to make any changes due to aftermarket calipers like AP racing? Or even with multiple bleed nipples on OEM fronts?

No changes needed for BBK or multiple bleed nipples (the stock calipers have multiple) since the DSC bleed is to be done after and before a regular/conventional bleed. So you only need to use one of the nipples on a multi-nipple caliper when doing the DSC bleed. In the regular/conventional bleed is where you make sure to get fluid out of both bleed nipples.

[sc_tr0jan_m3]

Damn wish I saw this thread before doing a flush.

What about for the dct clutch. Is there a similar bleed function that we need to follow?

[JamesGames]

Been bleeding my brakes myself for the 5 year+ i've owned the F8X never did this following the manual bleeding procedure.. just a traditional power bleeder attached to the reservoir and me running around all 4 corners bleeding and refilling the reservoir before it dips and air enters the lines.

What exactly does this DSC bleed procedure do? Basically uses the computer to individually bleed the corners? (really asking, because I literally skipped this twice now). Or how does one know they need to do this procedure?

[drroc]

Originally Posted by JamesGames

Been bleeding my brakes myself for the 5 year+ i've owned the F8X never did this following the manual bleeding procedure.. just a traditional power bleeder attached to the reservoir and me running around all 4 corners bleeding and refilling the reservoir before it dips and air enters the lines.

What exactly does this DSC bleed procedure do? Basically uses the computer to individually bleed the corners? (really asking, because I literally skipped this twice now). Or how does one know they need to do this procedure?

I have done several bleeds and also skipped this test. I am pretty sure this step is to just unsettle and loosen up any bubbles that might be trapped in the lines.

[F82///M]

Originally Posted by drroc

I have done several bleeds and also skipped this test. I am pretty sure this step is to just unsettle and loosen up any bubbles that might be trapped in the lines.

Originally Posted by JamesGames

Been bleeding my brakes myself for the 5 year+ i've owned the F8X never did this following the manual bleeding procedure.. just a traditional power bleeder attached to the reservoir and me running around all 4 corners bleeding and refilling the reservoir before it dips and air enters the lines.

What exactly does this DSC bleed procedure do? Basically uses the computer to individually bleed the corners? (really asking, because I literally skipped this twice now). Or how does one know they need to do this procedure?

You don't need to do this if air wasn't introduced in the system, aka don't bleed brakes without fluid in the reservoir.

In the video while he's running ista, there are instructions on the right side of the screen. States it's only done if dsc unit or brake master cylinder were removed or one of the lines in between were disconnected. Sounds like anything downstream as in replacing soft lines or calipers for example, isn't affected and there's no need for bleeding dsc.

I'm surprised by the suggested brake bleeding sequence in ista. Rear left, front left, front right, rear right. Sounds like great deal of German engineering went in that one and it kind of makes sense when working on the driveway. Much faster lifting whole side of the car instead of front-rear or each corner individually. I think we're all doing RR,RL,FR,FL

[mike082802]

think this is needed after swapping over to steel lines?

[m4forum]

before removing the lines keep brake pedal pressed so it avoids lines getting empty and potential need to run the procedure which isnt that difficuly after the video from FaRKle

[drroc]

So I swapped to a BBK and had one line empty for quite a while while I was dealing with issues with the manufacturer over two weeks. I didn't even depress the brake pedal. I flushed the fluid when I got everything sorted out, and things appear to be fine. Maybe the DSC module never got any air in it and I lucked out.

[m4forum]

I really dont know about that but running the procedure is simple after the explanation we got.

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by drroc

So I swapped to a BBK and had one line empty for quite a while while I was dealing with issues with the manufacturer over two weeks. I didn't even depress the brake pedal. I flushed the fluid when I got everything sorted out, and things appear to be fine. Maybe the DSC module never got any air in it and I lucked out.

Did you have the cap open to the brake fluid reservoir too? If not, then that's probably why the fluid didn't just drain out. Same effect as putting a straw into a cup of water, sealing the top off with your finger and lifting the straw out (and the water inside stays).

[drroc]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

Did you have the cap open to the brake fluid reservoir too? If not, then that's probably why the fluid didn't just drain out. Same effect as putting a straw into a cup of water, sealing the top off with your finger and lifting the straw out (and the water inside stays).

Yes, I had the cap closed, so it would have prevented a complete drain of the system.

[torpeteo]

Great post!

Curious if you ran the power bleeder dry and just refilled the reservoir?

Thats always my preference, but not sure if on the front or rear axle circuit there is a risk to run the reservoir dry.

[TTM0TION]

Great info.

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by torpeteo

Great post!

Curious if you ran the power bleeder dry and just refilled the reservoir?

Thats always my preference, but not sure if on the front or rear axle circuit there is a risk to run the reservoir dry.

I never put fluid in the pressure bleeder (I don't want to clean it). I fill the reservoir till full, push it through till it reaches the "min" line, take the pressure bleeder off, refill the reservoir full of fluid again, then reconnect the pressure bleeder to push again. You never want to run the reservoir completely dry!