Vacuum brake bleeders - hand pump

[TheOtherLeft]

I'm after a hand pump vacuum brake bleeder. I don't have an air compressor handy so can't use one of those.

I've found the MityVac brand that seems popular on Amazon. Does anyone have any experience with this brand? They have a plastic and metal versions of the same pump and the metal version gets good reports.

http://www.mityvac.com/pages/products_hvpk.asp

Are there other brands that are better?

Thanks.

[V.W.Dave]

The mityvac ones are the best hand held ones. Go for the metal one. I have had mine since 2000 and used the life out of it. In that time I have had to put a seal kit through it but they are cheap. Spend the extra on the metal one and be sure to get the hose kit with it

[TheOtherLeft]

The mityvac ones are the best hand held ones. Go for the metal one. I have had mine since 2000 and used the life out of it. In that time I have had to put a seal kit through it but they are cheap. Spend the extra on the metal one and be sure to get the hose kit with it

Which hose kit do you mean?

Mityvac seem to make quite a few difference types of brake bleeders. So many to chose from I'm not sure which one is better???

[V.W.Dave]

When I get home I will have a look for a part number. Back when I got mine you could get the pump by it self. Or with all the hoses for an extra $60

[TheOtherLeft]

You can now buy the metal-bodies one as a complete kit - hoses, adaptors etc. Is this what you mean as the hose kit?

[TheOtherLeft]

I made a dodgy 1-man bleeder tool and whilst it will suck fluid (from the reservoir and draw fluid to a head of about 2 feet) when I connect it to the bleed nipple I get a lot of air. I even tried using a hose clamp between the hose and the nipple. I think air is seeping past the thread of the bleed nipple.



I then went back to a 2-person bleed and there was no air in the fluid.

I had thought about buying a mityvac vacuum bleeder but if air is getting past the thread will the mityvac experience the same problem?

Is there any way of sealing the thread? I don't really want to use thread tape though.


Yes it looks dodge but it seems to work at sucking...

[chunks]

I think air is seeping past the thread of the bleed nipple.

This is the reason I don't like vacuum bleeders. We do several brake fluid flushes a day and do them all manually, either solo or with another person if they're available. On very rare occasions we've had to get systems pressure bled, but most of the time it's not an issue.

[TheOtherLeft]

I think air is seeping past the thread of the bleed nipple.

This is the reason I don't like vacuum bleeders. We do several brake fluid flushes a day and do them all manually, either solo or with another person if they're available. On very rare occasions we've had to get systems pressure bled, but most of the time it's not an issue.

When you do them solo do you just use a clear hose and bottle with the hose above the bleed nipple?

I was thinking a one-way valve could be useful???

[uglystik01]

i go the oposite way i use a air operated vac bleeder never really had an issue one trick is make sure the hose that attached to the nipple runs verticle for a bit as air in the system will rise away from the nipple (in theory) also shut the nipple of while sucking the fluid still not sure if it really works but so far i havent had any meetings with the boss about air in the brakes

i think it really comes down to personal choice one good thing if you get the mighty vac is you can also use it to engage any vac operated plungers/solinoids

[loosecanon]

can i ask a stupid question on this? i too am having problems with my brakes on a 45series cruiser with twin brake cylinders on the rear, how do you bleed with the air compressor? can anyone give me a basic run down.

cheers,

[uglystik01]

are you talking about a air operated vac blrrder?

[V.W.Dave]

can i ask a stupid question on this? i too am having problems with my brakes on a 45series cruiser with twin brake cylinders on the rear, how do you bleed with the air compressor? can anyone give me a basic run down.

cheers,

There are 3 ways

1) there is a air operated vacuum called a vacular that you can hook up to a brake bleed (or clutch) nipple and it sucks.http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Brake-Bleede ... 5191e851be" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

2) there is a metal canister (some are more elaborate then others) that you fill it with brake fluid and it hooks onto you brake resivor and the air pressure pushes the fluid from the top down.

3) Is the same as the second one but the canister had a diaphragm in it and you put aior into it and it pressurizes the fluid forcing it into the resivor

sorry cant find any pictures of the others

[chimpboy]

there is a metal canister (some are more elaborate then others) that you fill it with brake fluid and it hooks onto you brake resivor and the air pressure pushes the fluid from the top down.

3) Is the same as the second one but the canister had a diaphragm in it and you put aior into it and it pressurizes the fluid forcing it into the resivor

sorry cant find any pictures of the others

I've heard of the second/third type... also of using a modified cap (with a valve added) for the brake reservoir and using air pressure through the valve. I haven't tried it, I gather you have to be pretty careful withe the pressure.

VW Dave... question: what are you mean to do with the brake pedal when you are using these types of bleeding gear? Ignore it and just use the bleed valves or..?

[V.W.Dave]

I've heard of the second/third type... also of using a modified cap (with a valve added) for the brake reservoir and using air pressure through the valve. I haven't tried it, I gather you have to be pretty careful withe the pressure.

VW Dave... question: what are you mean to do with the brake pedal when you are using these types of bleeding gear? Ignore it and just use the bleed valves or..?

Nothing at all. It makes the job a one person job. Out of good practice I will pump the brake once or twice to get clean fluid in there but you dont have to.

Yes you are correct about the modified cap. Not all masters work with the 2) or 3) but every car can use 1). You have to be carefull with the presure ones as they can explode the resivor. Most euro cars can only take 2 bar, asian cars can take 2.5 bar and US/aus cars tend to be able to take 3bar.

[80's_delirious]

I have an awesome little tool for bleeding brakes. it is a little S/S spring loaded ball bearing valve that attaches to a piece of clear PVC tube, you attach the tube to the bleed nipple at the caliper, crack the nipple, put the end of the hose into a bottle, then pump the brake pedal.
the valve lets brake fluid out and wont let air suck back into the system. top up the MC and repeat for each caliper.
You still have to pump the pedal, but it is an easy one man job and the tool cost me $12 shipped through ebay Germany

I believe super cheap have similar valve kits

[TheOtherLeft]

I have an awesome little tool for bleeding brakes. it is a little S/S spring loaded ball bearing valve that attaches to a piece of clear PVC tube, you attach the tube to the bleed nipple at the caliper, crack the nipple, put the end of the hose into a bottle, then pump the brake pedal.
the valve lets brake fluid out and wont let air suck back into the system. top up the MC and repeat for each caliper.
You still have to pump the pedal, but it is an easy one man job and the tool cost me $12 shipped through ebay Germany

I believe super cheap have similar valve kits

Is it a Speed Bleeder as I'm thinking about buying one?

[80's_delirious]

No idea, I bought it about 5yrs ago.

If I can find it easily I will put up a pic