Motive Power Bleeder How-to?

[vamram]

Can someone explain in detail the correct steps to get a reply good pedal using a Motive Power Bleeder without a second person to pump the brake pedal?

Thanks!

Victor
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[74 Thing]

1. Go to each wheel and tighten shoes tight against the drums
2. Top off the brake res then attach the motive and pump it up till the pressure gauge reads where you want it
3. Go to a wheel and attach a hose to the brake bleeder and into a clear plastic bottle and crack it. You will see the brake fluid forced out along with air etc. Once it runs clear with no air bubbles then close the valve.
4. Go back to the res and make sure there is still pressure and do one more wheel (you may need to add more brake fluid first though depending how much air is in the system.
5. Continue around the car and do all the wheels
6. Once you are done back off the brake adjusters and top off the res one last time. Your pedal should be firm.

I think the instructions have you put brake fluid into the container, but when you are done it makes a huge mess with brake fluid all over so using it just for a pressure bleeder as I described above works best for me.

[vamram]

Thanks for your reply. How much pressure do you pump it to in step #2? 10lbs? 15lbs? More?

And for #1, do you tighten them to where they just rub or where you can't turn the wheel by hand?
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ROAD TRIP!! http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=625889&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
'72 Super - 1/13 - 5/18 SOLD! SOLD! SOLD!
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'72 Sedan - (1985-'8 rear-ended by the Boss, RIP
'72 Ruby Red Super - Stolen 1988
'66 Yellow Sedan - sold 1988
Save the Supers!!

[Dwayne1m]

I think they recommend 8-10 lbs. That's what I use. Don't go over that. Once you get the hang of it you can do all 4 in minutes. Much better then "pump it up. pump it up again...." I don't bother with putting a hose on the bleeder. I just catch it in a cup so I can reuse it. You'll see and hear when the bubbles are done. Do not let the MC go dry or you'll have to start all over again.

[vernonc]

Victor, I purchased my bleeder from John at aircooled.net which came with the proper 'cap' for the VW reservoir. However, I found it hard to hook up and remove because there was no way to install or remove the cap from the reservoir without turning the whole unit. So, I made the modification shown below....it's just a 'swivel fitting'. This allowed me to install and remove the cap without twisting the whole tank.

Now, put a quart or two of brake fluid in the tank, hook it up and pump it to 10 psi....you may have to pump it again if you're bleeding an entirely empty system or if you're 'purging' old fluid out.

You can bleed in any sequence but I leave the left front for last because it's closest to the reservoir so I can easily watch the reservoir.

When completed, lay the tank on it's side so that no more fluid will be pushed into the system then open the left front bleeder and watch the fluid level in the reservoir. When it's down to it's 'full level', close the bleed screw, let the pressure off the tank and remove it from the system via the 'swivel' connector. Remove the bleeder cap from the reservoir and install the regular cap and you're finished.

Hope this helps,

mort
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'69 sedan, low mileage, all original.....currently being 'freshened-up' for road trips and daily driving...just not every day

Freshening-up link http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=617386

[vamram]

Thanks gents. Mort, i actually installed that same swivel set up on my bleeder based on your picture, which i found in another thread. I've tried vernonc's method but can't ever seem to get a solid pedal. I'll tackle it again this weekend and let you guys know how it goes.
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'72 Sedan - (1985-'8 rear-ended by the Boss, RIP
'72 Ruby Red Super - Stolen 1988
'66 Yellow Sedan - sold 1988
Save the Supers!!

[Dwayne1m]

Every time I've did mine I didn't adjust the brakes past where I normally adjust them and I always got good pedal. I just fill the brake fluid reservoir, pump the tank to 8-10 lbs, pick a wheel and loosen the bleeder until no more air comes out, then move onto another wheel. I do like the swivel idea though. I gotta try that. I wonder if there is something like an quick connect air hose connection that doesn't leak that would work.

[Busstom]

[Dwayne1m]

[mondshine]

After using the Motive Power Bleeder a few times, I decided to just leave the jug empty, and use it as an air supply.
Just attach the cap, and pump it up to 10-15 PSI.
If you re-fill the reservoir after each wheel, there is no danger of running the reservoir dry. This is a much cleaner way to do the job; less chance of spilled brake fluid, and no clean up.

A few years ago, a friend had borrowed my Motive, so I just made this:

This thing cost less than $10, and works just as well as the Motive.

Good luck, Mondshine

[Busstom]

[vamram]

Sounding to me like most people use it only as a pressuring device w/out any fluid in it. I've got the attaching and detaching of the hose to the reservoir down to where I hardly spill more than a few drops of fluid. Is it still preferred to use the device just to pressurize the system?
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ROAD TRIP!! http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=625889&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
'72 Super - 1/13 - 5/18 SOLD! SOLD! SOLD!
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'64 Sedan - SOLD 5/2014
'72 Sedan - (1985-'8 rear-ended by the Boss, RIP
'72 Ruby Red Super - Stolen 1988
'66 Yellow Sedan - sold 1988
Save the Supers!!

[busman78]

I use my power bleeder with fluid in the tank, pointless to buy the power bleeder and only use as a pass through for air. Following the instructions printed on the reservoir actually work.

Brakes only need to be adjusted normally, not tight, does nothing to aid the bleeding.

When done bleeding you can either do what vernoc suggested to clear the line and set the reservoir level or release the pressure from the tank, lower the tank so it is below the vehicle reservoir then tilt the tank enough so the pickup tube in the tank is exposed, the excess fluid in the hose will flow back into the tank, remove the fitting from the reservoir, no mess, I use a large irrigation syringe to suck any fluid from the reservoir to get to the fill line, also use the same syringe to top off the reservoir when needed.

[vamram]

I finally got a solid pedal by changing my method to add something Bill posted in a different thread. I adjusted the stars to where they wouldn't go anymore and I could no longer turn the tires. Brakes virtually locked. Then I connected the motive bleeder, with plenty of fluid, and pressurized to 10-12psi. Had my wife pump the brakes a couple of sets of 10 & hold per tire, and it worked. I backed the shoes out 2-4 clicks per stars to where I could turn the wheel by hand with some drag, done. I have an almost perfect pedal now.
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ROAD TRIP!! http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=625889&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
'72 Super - 1/13 - 5/18 SOLD! SOLD! SOLD!
'74 Super 9/16 - present http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=664453&highlight=
'64 Sedan - SOLD 5/2014
'72 Sedan - (1985-'8 rear-ended by the Boss, RIP
'72 Ruby Red Super - Stolen 1988
'66 Yellow Sedan - sold 1988
Save the Supers!!

[scrivyscriv]

[volksworld]

the problem with having fluid in the bleeder is (1) it'll spill when you disconnect it and (2) the fluid in the bleeder will go bad by absorbing moisture from the air in the tank....keeping a pressure bleeder full is ok for a front end shop thats using it on ten cars a day but if you're using it once a year it should be drained and cleaned after every use ....or just left empty

[busman78]

Read previous posts, if disconnected properly fluid does not spill, even the Motive bleeder's instructions state to empty the tank after use. The only power bleeder I know of that can store fluid are the bladder types, slightly more expensive than a Motive brand or home made.

[vamram]

Between a couple of handy shop towels and care, I didn't spill more than a drop when disconnecting it. However, it is an issue that it's about 1/4 full of brake fluid i hopefully won't have to use again for a year. Should I dump this? Put it back in the container?
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ROAD TRIP!! http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=625889&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
'72 Super - 1/13 - 5/18 SOLD! SOLD! SOLD!
'74 Super 9/16 - present http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=664453&highlight=
'64 Sedan - SOLD 5/2014
'72 Sedan - (1985-'8 rear-ended by the Boss, RIP
'72 Ruby Red Super - Stolen 1988
'66 Yellow Sedan - sold 1988
Save the Supers!!

[wcfvw69]

[busman78]

Vamram, I would put it back in the bottle for you never know when you might need to top off, date the bottle so when the next time comes around to bleed and it has really been a long time just toss it and buy new.