Power Bleeder Question

[Jeffs2006EvoIX]

Hello Everyone.

I am interested in purchasing a MOTIVE Power Bleeder for my car and had some questions. There seems to be a couple of ways in which folks utilize this "Bleeder" and what BITOG members opinion on which they would do.

1. Utilize the power bleeder as a "Pump" only. Do not fill with Brake Fluid and install a quick connector on the hose going to the Brake reservoir. Suck out as much old fluid, fill with new, screw on the cap, pressurize bleed, disconnect the quick connector, unscrew the cap, refill and repeat basically till all four are done.

2. Fill the Bleeder with fluid, pump it and basically keep an eye on the pressure and fluid level in the bleeder until all 4 are done.

#2 is the way the manufacturer recommends. It seems #1 way is easier in the way that you dont have to clean out the Bleeder and such. I just want to do the easiest, but best for the car way. Not the best because I am lazy way. Which way would you guys and gals do this...#1 or #2?

Thank You for your time...


Jeff

 

[BigD1]

Well I just got done doing my Volvo that has a total of 8 bleeder valves. It has a dual circuit design, and they can be a pain in the arse to bleed. Was going to buy the Motive, but just did the two man bleed, but I did use clear hose on the bleeder valves which makes it less messy, and any air coming out can easily be seen.

By the time I got clear fluid coming out of all 8 bleeders, I had gone through 1.75 quarts of fluid, and the fluid in the quart jars was black. Anyway, I would choose number two. Next time I will definitely buy a Motive especially on a dual circuit Volvo brake system.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Air can get into the brake system if you not very careful with #1.

I had Motive Power Bleeder some years ago, I couldn't bleed the rear brakes of LS400 and E430. I sold it on Craigslist and since then I used Mityvac 7201 fluid extractor to bleed the brake of all my cars. The Mityvac 7201 do the bleeding much better and faster.

Some here had better luck with Motive Power Bleeder. But I now have 1 tool to do these jobs: extract old oil, ATF and brake bleeding.

 

[Kawiguy454]

I do #2 with a caveat. I take a 1 liter or larger plastic bottle and run a 1-2' 1/4" clear hose SNUGLY thru a clean hole in the cap to the bottom with enough fluid to cover the end. Also vent the cap with a tiny hole. set the bottle on the ground near the wheel. Attach the hose to the bleeder tightly with a tiny spring clamp or cable tie then open the bleeder.

If the cap and bleeder connections are sealed well the submerged hose will not draw up air into the caliper when you release the brake pedal. So you then just pump the brake pedal till the old fluid is out without playing with the bleeder. the new fluid will be a different color so you can see when it is filled. Close the bleeder and move on to the next one.

Remember to keep adding fresh fluid to the reservoir and NOT LET IT RUN DRY as air will get into the system.

This kit should only cost a couple of bucks and works good enough for infrequent use.

 

[JC1]

I bought a power bleeder. For my 98 Sienna you needed to remove the cowl to use it. It works great but is a pain to setup and then you need to clean it afterwards. I just use the two man bleeding method now.

 

[BHopkins]

I do #3

3. Suck out as much old fluid as possible, without risking getting air into the master cylinder, fill with new. Fill the Bleeder with fluid, screw on the cap, pump it and basically keep an eye on the pressure and fluid level in the bleeder until all 4 are done.

My reasoning for this method is to eliminate the fresh fluid coming from the Motive, from mixing with old fluid in the reservoir. This method has always worked very well for me. The first time I did it, I had to refill the Motive because I did it late at night, and didn't have adequate lighting to tell when fresh fluid was running into the bleeder catch bottle. Since then I've installed better lighting in my garage.

Now I only have to fill the Motive tank once, pump it up, and bleed. With experience, you should be able to pump the tank up only once, but the first few times I used it, I'd pump it up two or three times before I got all four brakes done.

I've been very happy with my Motive bleeder. It's a great investment. Hope you enjoy yours as much.

 

[double vanos]

I always used mine in #1 mode on my 330ci. My mazdaspeeds too. I like 10 psi and just took my time. With #2 I was always paranoid that a hose would fail, spewing fluid everywhere. The Motive power bleeder is a great tool. On my FX4 I recently used my Griots garage brake fluid sucker to do his flush - all went well.
6 of one, half a dozen of the other.
If you change driveline fluids, Motive makes a great power filler as well. Use it on everything.

 

[pjhalifax]

I've used my Motive bleeder twice now and like the #2 method. It's not too much of a hassle to clean up -- I just use some denatured alcohol. Well, I guess mine is the #3 method mentioned a few posts up...I remove as much fluid as I can from the reservoir, fill with fresh, then hook up the Motive.

One tip -- put some teflon tape on the brass connection between the bleeder itself and the cap & hose that attach to the reservoir. The first time I used it without any tape that connection leaked slowly no matter how well I tightened it. Once I put the tape on it was perfect.

 

[exranger06]

Seems to me #1 would be much a bigger pain with constantly removing the cap, refilling the reservoir, and pumping the pressure back up. I've always used method #2.

 

[Jeffs2006EvoIX]

Thanks for all your responses I appreciate it..

Jeff