12 year old Motive has failing hoses

[Bob Kontak]

Surgical type hoses that must take pressure are splitting the "long" way when pressure applied. Four connections from pressure tank to MC reservoir. Three have failed and trimming them back and re-clamping gives me about two minutes before failure occurs. All failures are near the clamps.

What type hose should I use to replace existing hose? Transmission hose?

[pmax]

Ouch.

How about brake fluid reservoir hose ? That should work I suppose.

[Stutzdriver]

Transmission hose is higher pressure rated but still soft enough to expand over a fitting and then be clamped. There are some medium pressure hoses that will not collapse under vacuum and some soft hydraulic hoses that can be suitable for many applications but they do not streach over fittings very well and can require some heating to have any give. I don't think yo want anything with steel braid in the hose structure like hydraulic high pressure hose.

Good luck!

[wachuko]

I like to see the fluid... I just go to Home Depot or Lowes and buy new clear hose and replace them every other year. Fairly inexpensive.

I also installed quick disconnect terminals in everything to make it easier to connect and disconnect from brake reservoir.

Not mine, but this is exactly what I did:

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Stutzdriver

Transmission hose is higher pressure rated but still soft enough to expand over a fitting and then be clamped.

Thanks guys. Local FLAPS has no brake hose but do have trans hose.

Brake hose would be optimal as I am assuming it would not degrade.

Just put a micrometer on the barbed male fittings that slide into the hose. 0.345" which is between 5/16ths and 3/8ths.

Hoping 5/16ths trans line is available. It does stretch. I will get fuel line clamps as well. I have been using smaller worm screw type clamps that I don't think are optimal.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by wachuko

I like to see the fluid...

Agree. Total outlay probably seven dollars for hose and clamps.

I do like having fluid in the reservoir vs refilling the MC by using only air pressure.

[jpnovak]

Clear Tygon Tubing from any home center will work great.

Yes, you have to replace every few years. The brake fluid reacts with the hose polymer and makes it stiff. Then it will split and leak.

[offroader1006]

I do what has already been said. Use clear hose and replace it.

[Bob Kontak]

Thank you all.

[pmax]

So, what happened ? Spill it out.

[PCA7GGR]

Mine have lasted many years. I don’t fill the pressure tank with brake fluid - just the brake fluid reservoir. Makes it a lot easier when done in that the brake reservoir is. Not filled to the brine nor is there any fluid in the hose nor motive tank.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by pmax

So, what happened ? Spill it out.

Spill it out. LOL I bought 5/16ths ID fuel injection line and I am going to use the dry tank vs wet tank. $15 total including FI clamps.

It's 5:00pm and traffic makes a home depot run for the clear line too time expensive.

FI line was $7 per foot before my discount.

[Bob Kontak]

FWIW. Car owner had to help me with the foot method to bleed front left line. "Groty" and pressure bleeder was not enough.

[SalParadise]

Bob, I hear you. I also have the "Black Label" Motiv - and things actually went south with the whole set-up after four years. So much for putting the real money down for the premium model with a thick plastic bottle with a gauge...

[pmax]

Warranty is only 1 year.

BK, did you follow the instructions ? Denatured alcohol, get it.

To clean the POWER BLEEDER after use pour denatured alcohol into the tank and into the tube. Dispose of the dirty alcohol. Allow the unit to air dry. Store in a cool, dry, dark area with the hose wrapped loosely around the unit without any kinks in the hose. DO NOT USE BRAKE CLEANER ON ANY PART OF THE UNIT. If denatured alcohol can not be found a mild dish washing detergent may be used, however insure all soap is rinsed out prior to air drying unit and that unit is completely dry prior to next use. We highly recommend replacing the hose every 3-4 years or if inspection shows any damage to the hose. p/n 0409 on our spares page is the correct replacement hose.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by pmax

BK, did you follow the instructions ? Denatured alcohol, get it.

Not once.

Only a couple years ago did I start putting fluid in the tank.

Enough said.

[dyerkes]

I am switching to a Mytivac vacuum MV6835 as I got tired of my hoses exploding at the reservoir side (perhaps I should have changed the hoses more often, but there had been no evidence of the hoses being at end of life). The kit has the feature of keeping the reservoir filled while flushing the system, while keeping the fallible hoses at the caliper end, which is where I will be seated, and can keep an eye out for a leak, as opposed to hearing something happening in my trunk, and by the time I get to it the brake fluid has spayed all over everything.

[wachuko]

I love how the Motive Power Bleeder works... never going back to anything else...

The Mytivac vacuum MV6835 looks even more complicated... requiring an air source, dependent on those rubber adapters that go on the bleeder valve, etc... I do not need that much complexity in my life... lol... I leave all that complexity when I am making my espresso, hahahaha


I also drain the old fluid from the reservoir first. I place the new fluid in the motive canister... if you are doing it correctly, it never overflows the reservoir... at least, it has never been an issue for me.

And on the caliper end I just have a clear rubber hose over the bleeder and into a bottle on the floor...open bleeder and let the fluid come out. I used to have the bottles from Motive but those broke way to easy (the part where the hose connected to the lid)...now I just use a longer hose to a bottle or an oil tray on the floor

I always alternate between blue and gold fluid changes to know when all the old fluid is out.

[dyerkes]

Wachuko - Where are you sourcing the blue brake fluid? I thought that had been banned years ago, but I would certainly be happy if I could begin using it again.

[175K911]

I just had to replace my hoses in September after 8 years of use. Love the Motive since they have all the different adapters. I have adapters for 911, Mazda Spec Miata, GMC (tow vehicle) and now Tilton reservoirs.

When mine split at the track in Sept, I just went to the local AutoZone and got clear fuel line hose. Figured it would suffice until I can replace with better. For reference, I have never had one split at the tank, it's always at the fitting on the cap.

Also when I needed a new Tilton adapter because I'd lent my Motive to a friend with the Tilton for his BMW race car and I never got the adapter back, a quick call to Motive and I got an amazingly honest response. Since I needed it the day before I was leaving for the track he suggested I just take one of my extra Tilton caps, drill a hole in it, put an 1/8"NPT threaded fitting in with a jam nut both sides with some JB Weld to prevent leaks then clamp the hose onto it. Worked like a charm.