Board logo

Using a brake vacuum to bleed brakes
corrado vr6 - 24/5/15 at 05:01 PM

Hi there,

Been bleeding brakes today using a Sealey vacuum type running off the compressor that I have just purchased, i did a whole fluid change using this which worked great, however for actually bleeding the brakes the line had constant bubbles in. I tried turning the pressure of the compressor down but didn't help. Strangely one of the calipers was fine and after a little bleeding using this same tool no air bubbles but the other three just kept showing air bubbles?
I did keep on top of the resiviour level so I know it wasn't it running low/out on fluid.

Is this type not very reliable?
Next time I'm thinking of using this tool to remove and replace the fluid but perhaps using the two person method to bleed them.

Anyone else had similar problems too?

40inches - 24/5/15 at 05:10 PM

Vacuum brake bleeders draw air in around the bleed nipple, mine used to do this. I wrap a couple of turns of PTFE tape around the threads, this stops the bubbles.

You can get bleed nipples with one way valves, I am considered them. Demon Tweeks sell them.

[Edited on 24-5-15 by 40inches]

corrado vr6 - 24/5/15 at 05:15 PM

Ah ok, so you completely remove the nipple and put some ptfe tape on.

I'm assuming you then can't remove the ptfe at the end? What about the ptfe reacting with the brake fluid?

40inches - 24/5/15 at 05:19 PM

quote:
Originally posted by corrado vr6
Ah ok, so you completely remove the nipple and put some ptfe tape on.

I'm assuming you then can't remove the ptfe at the end? What about the ptfe reacting with the brake fluid?


The PTFE doesn't come into contact with the fluid, it is after the taper seat on the nipple

corrado vr6 - 24/5/15 at 05:21 PM

Okey doke, gotcha.
I shall give this a go, thanks!

40inches - 24/5/15 at 05:53 PM

These are the bleed nipples LINK
Would work well with a power bleeder.

Hodor - 24/5/15 at 07:55 PM

I bought one of these (eezibleed) a couple of years ago and it makes bleeding the brakes a doddle - feeds the reservoir with fluid and pressurizes the whole system using the air from your tyre. So all you need to do is crack off each nipple in turn and the old fluid is pushed out. I keep a turkey baster with it as it generally leaves the reservoir over full when you disassemble.