bleeding brakes with a vacuum pump

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May 31, 2013 | 08:35 PM

obscurity

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From: Atlanta

bleeding brakes with a vacuum pump

I have seen these hand vacuum style Blake bleeders for years but have never used one.

I am curious if anyone had bleed brakes with a vacuum pump. It's the same concept I think. I would use a venturi vacuum generator on my compressor with a vacuum storage tank and a catch can to avoid suckling brake fluid into the vacuum tank. It has been a few years since I used it but IIRC it will pull about 1atm

Any thoughts or warnings?

May 31, 2013 | 09:36 PM

Kurt G.

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From: Richland, WA.

I too have seen the bleeders but never used one. I have used pressure bleeders though and those are nice. You just have to make sure if new master is on that it was bench bled first.

May 31, 2013 | 10:00 PM

fixnair

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From: Sapulpa OK

Your Venturi vacuum device will not get down to 1atm but all that is necessary is around 10 in of water. I use mine all the time. Just be aware that there is not a tight seal between the hose and the brake bleeder nipple and you will see some bubbles in the hose. Just be sure to pull at least 2oz of fluid. That way you are sure you are getting fluid from the master cylinder. Don't let the master cyl go dry.

Jun 1, 2013 | 12:20 AM

ALBUQ F-1

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From: NM

I think your venturi system may suck the system dry before you can shut the bleeder! I have used a MityVac for years, it is useful when you don't have an assistant. It's a PITA to get undeerneath, pump, close the screw, go check level in the reservoir, repeat about 20 times....

My son has a pressure bleeder and that is super! They are about $40, and waste a fair amount of fluid, but pushing fresh fluid is better for flushing.

Jun 4, 2013 | 11:44 PM

Project-55

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Joined: May 2012

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From: North Idaho

I use an old, motor driven vac pump, a 1 gallon pickle jar as a catch jug, and some tubing with a ball valve.

I clamp my line on the bleeder, bring the system up (or down) to -15 inches and open the ball valve. I have enough hose so I can actually stand by the MC and fill it as the vac pump pulls it through.

When I am sure that all the air is out I slip under the rig, shut the bleeder off, move it to a different wheel and repeat. I lose very little fluid and reclaim my fluid in the catch jar by filtering it through a paint filter back into the bottle.

It makes it a one guy job.

PS: I have a pressure bleeder too but I like the vac pump method better.

Jun 5, 2013 | 07:05 PM

TxF100

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From: Sugar Land & Bandera, TX

Have any of you tried the hand pump style like they sell at Harbor Freight?

Jun 5, 2013 | 07:45 PM

obscurity

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From: Atlanta

I bought a Mityvac at Napa and didn't have very good luck with it. It was awkward and there was never a place to set it down where it wouldn't fall over while I went to make sure there was still fluid in the reservoir. As a result I'm sure I put plenty of brake fluid through the pump itself. I wound up getting my wife to pump the brakes. It went much faster.