I have recently been bleeding brake lines. Being used to a two man job, pedal pusher and bleed screw operator, and now being a lone operator, my wife is not a Lotus fan and less when she is asked to sit in the driver seat, I got hold of a pressure bottle type. This can provide some interesting puddles of wasted fluid around the engine bay and loss of large quantities of expensive brake fluid.
I then discovered the suction equipments and found I can still get air bubbles in the clear plastic bleed line even with the nipple closed. Air leaking in around the pipe/nipple connection-
I ask Forum Members for their preferred method for fluid bleeding.
How does a car manufacturer bleed brakes on a new car?
Dave the cog.
Bleeding brake and clutch lines
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- DavidOliver
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Re: Bleeding brake and clutch lines
Here is a method...
https://youtu.be/ag-Q_lP0dOk
https://youtu.be/ag-Q_lP0dOk
-Bill
1991-92ish Lotus Excel SE Silk Red
2009 Jeep Wrangler X Unlimited 4X4
2015.5 Volvo V60 T5
Previous: 2005 Toyota Prius, 2002 Nissan Maxima SE 6 speed, 1988 Toyota 4Runner, 1989 Toyota 4Runner, 1995 Dodge Neon, 1986 Ford Mustang
1991-92ish Lotus Excel SE Silk Red
2009 Jeep Wrangler X Unlimited 4X4
2015.5 Volvo V60 T5
Previous: 2005 Toyota Prius, 2002 Nissan Maxima SE 6 speed, 1988 Toyota 4Runner, 1989 Toyota 4Runner, 1995 Dodge Neon, 1986 Ford Mustang
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Re: Bleeding brake and clutch lines
Being another lone worker, I use a Sealey pressure bleeder. I originally bought this as my daily driver could only be bled with a pressure bleeding system.
You should not be getting any pools of fluid in the engine bay if all seals are good.
When I initially connected it to my Excel and pressure tested ( without fluid in the bleeder, as per instructions) I had a leak between the reservoir and the master cylinder. This was due to the rubber washer nearest the bulk head being a poor seal - a bit old and tired I suspect. I removed the reservoir cleaned everything up and added an additional rubber washer between top of master cylinder and base of reservoir. This gave an air and fluid tight seal.
You should not be getting any pools of fluid in the engine bay if all seals are good.
When I initially connected it to my Excel and pressure tested ( without fluid in the bleeder, as per instructions) I had a leak between the reservoir and the master cylinder. This was due to the rubber washer nearest the bulk head being a poor seal - a bit old and tired I suspect. I removed the reservoir cleaned everything up and added an additional rubber washer between top of master cylinder and base of reservoir. This gave an air and fluid tight seal.
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Pete Boole
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Re: Bleeding brake and clutch lines
I'm another user of pressure bleeders - I've been using the same Gunson's "Easibleed" for about 20 yrs - used it dozens of times. You do have to get the seals right though!
Pete
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Re: Bleeding brake and clutch lines
I've used Gunsons easy bleed but prefer to use a simple clear well-fitted hose with a non-return valve with the end dipped into a jar of fluid. This way I do the pumping - making sure I let the pedal return very slowly on the last stroke. Then I only nip the bleed screw IF the clear hose show no sign of bubbles. Works for me anyway - you need a good non-return valve and you should only open the nipple the minimum to get flow.
Peter K
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Re: Bleeding brake and clutch lines
I use a gunsuns easybleed but beware of the cap, I had one blow off and shower the car with brake fluid luckily I got it all off in time before any damage. I now put tie wraps over the cap as a safety measure but it works fine.
Bash
Bash
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- MrCoolA
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Re: Bleeding brake and clutch lines
Pressure bleeder every time. Changed and upgraded all my brakes and never had any issue with it. Just take your time.
Last edited by MrCoolA on Tue Jun 12, 2018 18:05, edited 1 time in total.
Previously Jerry (Taylor)
Now "Black Flag"
Lotus Excel SEI1989 253.6hp 190lbft
Lotus Elise S3 1.6. Motorsport Green 2011.
Now "Black Flag"
Lotus Excel SEI1989 253.6hp 190lbft
Lotus Elise S3 1.6. Motorsport Green 2011.
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tonypoll
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Re: Bleeding brake and clutch lines
I too use Gunsuns Easybleed. Works just fine - if you get the cap on tight!