Jim Morton

Hello all.

I know that I have read many threads mentioning the various power brake fluid bleeders. Seems like a more recent consensus has been reached.

Please weigh in as I would like to purchase one prior to a much needed fluid change.

I would prefer a unit that does not need to have a whole lot of fluid inserted just to make it work.

Thanks !

Jim Morton
<img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

Martin S.

The Power Bleeder can work well...but you have to read the instructions or there will be brake fluid everywhere...that was my experience. I will try it again.

STLPCA

Jim
"Power" bleeders come in 2 basic flavors - pressure & vacuum. Pressure bleeders (e.g., Motive) get filled w/at least some pressurized fluid which is forced into the MC, through the hoses & out the bleed screw. Vacuum bleeders (e.g., Vacula) suck fluid out the bleed screw & do not require any fluid in the unit, but the MC must be kept filled.

I've used both types & find the Motive pressure bleeder to be the easiest & best I've used & at $45 is a bargain. I've now done flushes w/it on a 993, Boxster, BMW & Volvo - all w/o any problems & w/barely any spillage. I just don't know why some 'listers have reported difficulties.

Ray Calvo

Tend to agree w/ Martin & Dan; I've used vacuum hand pump bleeders till my hands broke out in blisters w/o any luck.

Had a hand-built pressure unit made up of an air tank, a metal bolt-in tire valve with no guts, and an extra reservoir cap. I drilled a hole in the cap, bolted in the valve, and attached this to an air hose connected to the air tank. Only problem was a few times I forgot to unscrew the reservoir cap and refill the reservoir. You got it - I drained the whole reservoir, got air throughout the brake system, and had to redo all my efforts!!!!

The Motive unit is great; as you approach the last wheel, turn it on its side with the fluid supply hose at the top, and it stops adding fluid. My only aggravation is that the supply hose is darn stiff, so you have to turn the pressure unit as you're screwing on the cap/hose unit.

Steve-95 C4 Cab

I used the Motive pressure bleeder with a slightly different procedure which others here have used. Drained some of the fluid out with a turkey baster, then added new fluid directly to the reservoir. I then pressurized the dry Motive unit and began the bleeding procedure.


Really quite easy but, as Ray says, check after each wheel to see if you need to add more fluid to the reservoir.

BradB

I've used the Motive as well on my 993, Audi S4 and BMW 2002tii and have had no issues at all. It's not super fast but at least you don't have to have the wife in the car pumping the pedal! <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

Flying Finn

I can't think of anything easier than motive bleeder.

I do is as Kim (when it comes to brake bleeding!), I fill the bleeder with one can & if I don't use it all, I pour it back to can.

Prevents from issues like Ray had with 'stupid' hand-built pressure unit!

Jim Morton

Thanks for the replies !

Sounds like a Motive Power Bleeder is the tool.

Google, here I come for a source search !

This is gettng fun !

Jim Morton
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Ray Calvo

BradB:
[quote]It's not super fast but at least you don't have to have the wife in the car pumping the pedal!<hr></blockquote>

Plus, you won't prematurely wear out your master cylinder, like I did when I used this method ages ago on my old '76 911S. Would bleed brakes after every track event, so was doing it about 5 times a year. Using this method, I went through 2 msater cylinders in about 2 years; it forces the master cylinder piston seals past their normal use travel points and prematurely destroys them. Haven't had such a problem with pressure bleeding in over 15 years of use.

Bottom line: NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use this pump-the-pedal bleeding method! <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" />

Schwabe

Hi all,

I don't know the Power Bleeder, I'm using
my own pressure bleeder build by myself.
So because I am using a spare tire to get the
pressure for bleeding, let me ask a question:
With how much pressure do you flush your brake
system?

thanks in advance
Jürgen

Robert Henriksen

10-15 psi. I usually pressurize the bleeder to 15, and check it after bleeding the rear wheels - pump it back up to 15 if it's dropped to 12 or less.

STLPCA

I'm w/Robert - I also use 15 psi (approx 1 bar) for my 993. I've found below that pressure it's really slow. Just did a friend's 540i & nothing much happened until almost 20 psi, so it's a bit of trial and error.

Anir

I'm also very pleased with the performance of the Motive pressure bleeder at 10-15 psi. If I remember correctly, you should not exceed 20 psi.

Please don't waste money on vaccum units, such as the one sold by Griot's Garage. As other Rennlisters have discussed, they're much less effective despite costing the same as pressure bleeders.