Topic: What did you do to your car today?

[PJungnitsch]

Yeah pumping the brakes to bleed can be problematic, I stripped the seals from a master cylinder once doing that. Went to a pressure system after, but that can have an issue sealing on the different master cylinder reservoir designs

[ArticSteve]

You having an assistant pump the brakes?


Always risky on an older vehicle.  I have used compressed air to suck the fluid out (really quick), but preference is a pressure bleeder.  Attach to reservoir, apply no more than 10 psi and open up the bleeder.  Close bleeder and then remove from reservoir, fill, and repeat.

[rrocket]

Yeah pumping the brakes to bleed can be problematic, I stripped the seals from a master cylinder once doing that. Went to a pressure system after, but that can have an issue sealing on the different master cylinder reservoir designs

I have a vaccum bleeder that seems to work well.

For the Lexus, I'd use the software.  You'd hit a button...and the software would cycle the pumps and bleed the brakes!  Was awesome!

[EV Dan]

You having an assistant pump the brakes?


Always risky on an older vehicle.  I have used compressed air to suck the fluid out (really quick), but preference is a pressure bleeder.  Attach to reservoir, apply no more than 10 psi and open up the bleeder.  Close bleeder and then remove from reservoir, fill, and repeat.

Cool. What do you get 10 psi from?

[rrocket]

^^10 PSI is what my Phoenix bleeder required.  I think I sold it to someone on this forum??

I use a pneumatic bleeder now....works well.  Also use it for oil changes, draining diff fluid, etc.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07LGTGMWN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[ArticSteve]

Yeah pumping the brakes to bleed can be problematic, I stripped the seals from a master cylinder once doing that. Went to a pressure system after, but that can have an issue sealing on the different master cylinder reservoir designs

^^
One needs to buy a cap that fits their vehicle's reservoir and then drill a hole and install the gauge.

Oddly, the one in the pics fits all 944 Porsches, almost all Fords including Mustangs and F150s.  Does not fit the MDX for sure and haven't bothered to check the Nissan.

[ktm525]

Yeah pumping the brakes to bleed can be problematic, I stripped the seals from a master cylinder once doing that. Went to a pressure system after, but that can have an issue sealing on the different master cylinder reservoir designs

As long as you don't go to the wall it is fine. If your helper cannot be trusted then a thin piece of wood will limit travel.


You can build a pressure bleed unit with a garden sprayer if you want About $10 if you have the proper master cylinder cap.

I usually use my mityvac and suck fluid through the bleeders. Yes some air is sucked but it is coming from the bleeder threads and hose fit. Not the system. This is the fastest for me as the suction is on the bleeder so everything in one spot.

[rrocket]

Also...if you're just solo and do work on cars yourself, buy yourself some SpeedBleeders.  Had them in a couple of cars (and particularly bikes)...worked awesome.  http://www.speedbleeder.com/

They also make a simple one man bleeder tool with a small check valve in it that works.  Have never used one...but hear those work well too.
https://www.motionpro.com/product/08-0143

[EV Dan]

Thanks for the idea, Steve and KTM!

[ArticSteve]

Cool. What do you get 10 psi from?

AS mention a 10 buck garden sprayer.  I went to take a pic of it, but it's MIA at the moment.  The key point is that the nozzle on the garden sprayer must be the same size as the fitting on your gauge so it accepts the same clear flexible tubing.

[bridgecity]

^^10 PSI is what my Phoenix bleeder required.  I think I sold it to someone on this forum??

I use a pneumatic bleeder now....works well.  Also use it for oil changes, draining diff fluid, etc.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07LGTGMWN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You sold it to me. Still sitting in the case in the garage unused  .  I find it so easy to use the pump method that I’ve never tried it to be honest. Guess I should with respect to what AS and KTM said.

[bridgecity]

Should also mention, this is the best thread on this forum. Little , just members talking about their repair ventures and others helping out.

[rrocket]

 Still sitting in the case in the garage unused 

[EV Dan]

I could make something like this out of a garden sprayer. Unfortunately unlike a threaded cap shown here, mine (Toyota) has a weird design and I don't see how I can attached a fitting to it...
https://www.amazon.ca/Orion-Motor-Tech-Vacuum-Bleeder/dp/B08H4GXBN3/

For now I will stick with my vacuum pump, when it's time to do brake fluid on Venzaurus, I believer around 50k mark.

[rrocket]

I don't see how I can attached a fitting to it...

Been there, done that!!

I bought an OEM cap and threaded a small aquarium type barb fitting to it!!

[EV Dan]

I don't see how I can attached a fitting to it...

Been there, done that!!

I bought an OEM cap and threaded a small aquarium type barb fitting to it!!

Mine has some weird plastic thing in the middle of it and virtually no room left. If you get a chance plz post a picture of the inside of your modded OEM cap.

[HeliDriver]

Well, may or may not have been the service center’s fault.

Of course it's their fault.

He said he brought the car in two weeks previous to have a leaky tire fixed.

Who else is taking and putting the wheel off??

That’s why every shop tells you to come back for a retorque after 100 km.

Even properly torqued nuts can come loose.

[PJungnitsch]

Yeah, that cap thing can be a problem. Good if you can get one, sometimes not that easy. And some masters have press fit caps too. Get it wrong and the engine bay takes a bath with pressurized brake fluid. Ask me how I know 

Like that suction machine idea. Think I have a hand pump that does the same thing, but capacity is an issue

[Firm]

I have a Mityvac, and I am not a huge fan of it...So if I can get a helper I prefer the old school pump method. They key though is having a helper than can control their foot and use a steady slow motion, not just slamming it to the floor - difficult to get such a helper sometimes 

The other thing I've run into is the brake booster sometimes needs to be run in order to get a complete bleed....no idea why exactly, but I've had two different vehicles that wouldn't bleed properly for me at all, tried it with the engine running to activate the booster and they bled fine.

[HeliDriver]

You having an assistant pump the brakes?

Yeah, had my wife help out this time.

Anyway, not her fault.  Went back for another look and found brake fluid all over the right rear caliper and lower control arm. Oops, didn’t tighten the bleed screw enough. 

Got her help again and started from scratch. Just took it for a drive and pedal feels great now!

Also a comment on that board thing: VW ALLdata service manual says push the pedal right to the floor. Been doing that since I did the first bleed maybe 10 years ago and haven’t had a problem yet.

I’ll probably invest in some kind of pressure bleeder if I ever do this again, but I’m kinda thinking I might not ever do this again.