Been trying to sort the brakes out on my MK4 3i today. It was origionally fitted with ABS, but prior to me purchasing it someone had cable tied it all up, but left it connected.

I have removed it all and made up two new brake pipes to come out of the master cylinder and join up with the two brake pipes left over from removing the ABS stuff. I connected it all up, but could only get the rear drivers side and front passenger side brakes to bleed.

Am I right in thinking the front outlet on the master cylinder forces the fluid out and the second outlet is like a return? Or should they both force fluid out when the brake pedal is depressed? The reason I ask is because i am trying to work out if I have connected the pipes around the wrong way from the master cylinder and this is why it won't bleed up.

I have also disconnected the pipes from the master cylinder and on depressing the brake pedal, the first outlet forces fluid out and the rear does not seem to do anything. Is the master cylinder shot?

Hope that makes sense. I would be glad of any advice because its proper pissed me off today!!!!

 

If there's only two holes in the master cylinder for brake fluid, then it sounds as though it is a diagonally split system.
The master cyl may be shot or just need bleeding first, very often forgotten!!
Get a helper tp ress the brake pedal and hold down, then put your thumb over the hole in the master cyl where pipe would go keep there whilst pedal is released, now remove thumb repeat a few times, the suction caused by the returning pedal will soon get it working, it's possible the spring is broken in the master cyl, there's two, but these are cheap enough.
tabetha

 

What did you do with the two other ones? If nothing, no wonder only two wheels are braking.

Anyway... From the engine compartment, you have four brake lines going to the wheels, one line for each wheel brake. At the master cylinder, you have two brake outlets, one for each diagonal system. One outlet you need to split and connect to front left and rear right brakes. The other outlet you need to split to the front right and rear left brakes. This is called a diagonally split system. So, if you get a hydraulic failure, the car would still brake with one front and one rear wheel.

Most cars have a brake master cylinder with four outlets to more simply connect one to each brake. The mk4 Escort ABS master cylinder only has two outlets and therefore they need to be split externally.