Any Experience with Motive "Power Bleeder"

FlaCarrera · 04-16-2003, 11:38 AM

Paid wrench 1 hr labor (2 guys 30 mins) for a brake bleed just before last Saturdays DE...within 2 laps pedal travel worse than before. Thinking about the Power Bleeder although I'm not much of DIYr. Brake use was robust but didn't expect that. Using Super Blue fluid. Is the Power Bleeder really a one man operation?
Where are bleeder valves? Can this be done on jack stand on on the ground?

Many thanks for any input.
Ted in sunny So Fla
86 Carrera Targa Blk/Blk

Jim Sims · 04-16-2003, 11:47 AM

See:

Brake line replacement.

Do a board search; there's lots more.

Jim

Rot 911 · 04-16-2003, 11:47 AM

Can you grab your ass with both hands? If so you have all the skills needed to do a DIY bleed with the Power Bleeder. Just do a search under "power bleeder" and you will see several threads on how to do it. I think there was one just yesterday.

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

I use a homemade pressure bleeder but the Motive is a great tool. You may decide to just use it "dry" to pressurize you system.
-Chris

APKhaos · 04-16-2003, 11:56 AM

Motive bleeder is a gift from god. One of those tools that works as advertised, and makes bleeding almost fun. Read the thread Jim posted above - his directions are for a full brake fluid flush, but you will get the idea. He is also more meticulous than some of us [I never put the Motive in a trash bag, but its a good idea].

Neilk · 04-16-2003, 11:57 AM

If you do get one, be forewarned... If you don't close the vent hole on the brake fluid reservoir, you will get brake fluid all over the place.

old_skul · 04-16-2003, 12:09 PM

They're the cat's meow. Highly recommended.

GRMPer · GRMPer's Garage

I second that vent hole comment...thought my MC was bad at first...then I realized it was coming out of the vent tube and gushing everywhere.....

For the people that have solved this problem, how did you plug the tube/hole?

Per
http://www.classicmotorsports.net

Jim Sims · 04-16-2003, 12:51 PM

Remove vent/overflow hose being careful not to break off plastic hose barb on reservoir. Install a short length of rubber or plastic hose on barb. Stick golf tee or other similar plug in end of short hose to seal. Jim

Jim Smolka · 04-16-2003, 01:48 PM

The vent hose is flexible, could one simply take a small pair of vice grips and crimp the vent line???

APKhaos · 04-16-2003, 01:49 PM

See? Jim is meticulous. That is the right way to do it.
Us lesser beings might be tempted to crimp the line and hold it lighly with vice grip pliers. I like the golf tee idea.

Drew_K · 04-16-2003, 02:36 PM

I use surgical tongs to crimp the line shut.

And yes, the Motive Bleeder is a great device.

Decolliber · 04-16-2003, 05:06 PM

Motive bleeder worked very easily on my Carrera but when I tried to do my A6 I could not get a good flow of fluid at the caliper. I wonder if the ABS somehow interferes with the transmission of fluid pressure form the reservoir to the caliper.

sponserv · 04-16-2003, 05:19 PM

The power bleeder is awesome. Use vice grips or roach clips on the vent tube. If you have to ask what roach clips are you are too young to be working on your Porsche.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

I recommend it in 101 Projects: http://www.101projects.com , and also detail it's use in the bleeding tech article...

-Wayne

MotoSook · 04-16-2003, 05:56 PM

LOL LOL!!

sponserv, I almost feel off my chair! I wasn't using a roast clip at the time you were (I'm not THAT old, nor have I had a need for one

), but that is just funny! Next time I bleed my brakes, I'll remember that one.

rstoll · 04-16-2003, 06:04 PM

I like mine. Roach clip heh?

Doug E · 04-16-2003, 07:19 PM

Kut V - "can you grab your ass with both hands?" now that's a great line of questioning ... I'm tempted to use it next time I'm interviewing someone at work for a job opening.

Back on topic: after using marcesq's power bleeder to do my brakes before a March DE I will NEVER go back to doing it the old way. That unit is one of the best $45 you will ever spend.

efhughes3 · efhughes3's Garage

I second everything about this, especially the part about sealing the vent line. I used a "plastic ratcheting c-clamp" I got at Home Depot.

As I recall, when I was looking in my "101 Projects" book, nothing was mentioned about this....

KTL · 04-17-2003, 10:36 AM

One of the better tools you'll buy. As Chris B. said, you can build your own. But if you're not much of a DIY'er, this thing is worth every penny and then some. Cool tool.

My overflow plug is a tiny hand vise that I clamp on the hose. Looks like a small hammer that had the head replaced with a mini vise. Try to find one of these things nowadays. This sucker is old!