Brake Fluid - Power Bleeder Line Burst - OUCH

[Syncro Jael]

It was a sad moment this week.

Replacing the Brake Fluid in the van using my Power Bleeder. I have used a power bleeder for years and years. Filled it with new DOT4 Brake fluid. Made the connection to the fluid reservoir. Pumped the bleeder to 10psi. Then went down under the right rear of the van and started bleeding brake fluid. I noticed that the flow slowed down to a near stop.

Went back up to see the pressure in the tank.

The line had burst and sprayed the entire front interior of the van and dash with brake fluid. It almost completely emptied the Power Bleeder that was half full. About a quart.

It shot a stream across my Recaro Drivers seat then through the center of the van back across the rear bench. The drivers side of the van took the brunt of the blast.

I hurried and pulled the rubber floor mats and started wiping the dash, seats, VOW center console, and wet vacuumed the rear cushions and carpets. The brake fluid was pooled on the Recaro's. The finish on the leather is not going to ever be the same.

Then I noticed that my dash vents, aftermarket gauges, lower center vent, and everything else "Plastic" was falling apart and cracking. The drivers side air vent fell apart. I started to remove everything and brake fluid was dripping down through the wiring and was everywhere!!! My gauge pod in the ashtray started to crumble as did all the plastic parts on the dash. All of the plastic knobs, covers, vent control cover, bulb holders, everything plastic.

Needless to say, I am posting this so that others will be more aware of this catastrophic event that could happen. Make sure your Power Bleeder hose is new and cover the line with a towel or something to keep it more contained if this should ever occur.

DAMMIT! These plastic parts are very difficult to find and replace.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat)

[dobryan]

Oh NO! That royally sucks.

(I know it is after the fact, but I do not use the Motive tank for brake fluid itself. I just use it to pressurize the master cylinder reservoir and keep an eye on the level and top it up as needed.)

I am so sorry.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2010 Subaru EJ25 (Vanaru) and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Traveling after Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[Syncro Jael]

[jlrftype7]

We feel your pain, and wish you a speedy recovery on that now damaged Interior.
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto

[Jake de Villiers]

Oh Ron, your lovely van...
_________________
'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7.5 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com

[hardway]

Brake fluid is water soluble. Copious mounts of flowing water is the best mitigation strategy after a spill. As long as it keeps foaming there is brake fluid still present. Get it out of the fabrics and carpet and insulating pads to save the paint.

That sucks.

[Syncro Jael]

I’m trying to take apart the instrument cluster. It’s crumbling before my eyes
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat)

[Ahwahnee]

So very sorry to hear this - what a nightmare.

It's all replaceable and hopefully among the many on the Samba the plastic bits can be located.

I can appreciate what a stressful time this is for you.

[dabaron]

i feel for you, mine failed at the cap and it emptied the jug into the dash and all over the fuse panel, and down onto the cardboard i had put down.

what a nightmare.

i'm going to be using mine again soon, time to hook it up to the spare mc/tank i have.
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic

[Steve M.]

Shisen.
Feel for you 100%.

I unfortunately through experience learned to wrap an oil absorber around piping connections inside the interior when working on hydraulic systems.

Experience is a hard teacher, it gives the test before the lesson.
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[jimf909]

Yikes. I felt like I was reading about a forest fire raging through an 1800s logging town. Here's hoping you're able to repair the losses.
_________________
- Jim

[ALIKA T3]

Damn bro! That blows


That always why was I never used them in the van and made a tire valve adapter to the reservoir cap for pumping slowly. It’s time consuming but our reservoirs are getting brittle too....
_________________
Silicone Steering Boots and 930 Cv boots for sale in the classifieds.
Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
Subaru EJ22+UN1 5 speed transmission
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
Syncro http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...num+gadget

[ZsZ]

I was always afraid of pressurizing the tank. The clutch hose looked a weak point but the tank popping out from the master would be the disaster I was afraid of.
So we always used the 2 person pump-hold-bleed method. Recently I bought a cheap chinese compressor attachment which made it easier. Still do it two person as better to watch the fluid level continously, but can be done alone.
_________________
Zoltan
1.9 MTdi 2wd Multivan (ex Caravelle)
Van since 2006, engine since 2008

[hans j]

Yup it happens, and it really sucks when it does. Happened to me using our other shops bleeder a couple weeks ago, except it sprayed brake fluid all over my diag cart with about 30k in electronics in it. I only really just lost my laptop, but it could have been much worse! I spent about 7 hours cleaning everything up.

Best thing is to replace the hose every couple of years.
_________________
1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181

[Wildthings]

To flush the brake fluid I have never had to do anything more than open one front and one rear bleeder at a time and let gravity do the work. It takes a bit of time to flush the lines this way, but if you do it simultaneously with changing your oil or doing other service work, the time is not wasted.

I would like to find a new "shield" to protect the instrument cluster from brake fluid drips as mine is cracking around where it fits of the fill for the reservoir.

As other suggested brake fluid will dissolve in water, so a hose with a spray nozzle is about the fastest cleanup you can do.

[syncrodoka]

[IdahoDoug]

Also, I know this seems self-serving, but that's what we pay all that insurance for. Believe it or not, owner mistakes and the damage are covered. To replace all those bits would be a couple thousand dollars, and it's under comprehensive, not a traffic crash that could increase your rates.
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1993 Toyota LandCruiser, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[?Waldo?]

I've used a power bleeder also and put the fluid into the bleeder. I have had a leak when using the bleeder under the hood of a different vehicle. It made a mess but not nearly as disastrous as what you describe. I appreciate the warning and will consider it when bleeding the brakes on Vanagons.

[tjet]

Was it a Motive bleeder?

[Westaru]