Can anyone tell me what parts I need to build a power bleeder for the brakes? I was going to buy a cheap garden sprayer, but I'm not sure which fittings to use. I have an old MC cap from a 240 parts car.

Thanks in advance.
Dave

I just installed a schrader valve in a spare master cylinder cap and use a bicycle pump (the frame mount type which quickly clamps into place). Sure you have to refill the master cylinder occasionally, but the setup is simple and cheap.

Randy

...only I use the pressure side of a MityVac hand pump, and Tee'd an old round-faced gauge into the hose between pump and MC.

Just a few pumps gets it up to 15#, which holds for a surprisingly long time—enought to completely flush a rear caliper and get a good start on a front.

Yes, I do have to check MC level and pressure more often than with the Motive bleeder, but I tell myself the exercise is good for me.
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Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current), 240s (one V8), 140s, 122s, since '63.

Bruce,

I wasn't aware that the Mity Vacs could actually do that. My vacuum pump is an older Sears one that can only draw vacuum. I saw a Mity Vac at Autozone for a decent price. Maybe I'll pick one of these up instead.

Thanks,
Dave

I can't remember where I got my MityVac, just that it was a good deal. Maybe Harbor Freight years ago. The pressure port sticks straight up, on the face side of the gauge (and pressure does NOT read on the gauge -- only vacuum).

There is no pressure release either, like there is for vacuum. You have to ease off the hose or line that's on the pressure port. No need for clamps there. I just use cheap vinyl tubing that pushes on snugly about 3/8" or so. Holds 15# or more of pressure just fine.
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Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current), 240s (one V8), 140s, 122s, since '63.

I too was unaware that my Mity Vac had a pressure port. I just looked at an image of my pump on Google Images, and indeed it does.

Thanks Bruce for pointing this out. This will be extremely handy in the future.

Jeff Pierce
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'93 945 Turbo (201K miles), '93 945 (140K miles/I maintain for a family member), '93 945 Turbo (sold w 145K miles), '92 Mercedes 190E (174K miles), '85 Jeep CJ-7 w/ Fisher plow (225K miles), '53 Willys Overland w/ Fisher plow (sold to a loving home)

I have a Motive Power Bleeder and I am very happy with it. (Like an earlier post, I also frequently use it without fluid to simply pressurize the MC.)

But Randy, your solution is brilliantly simple -- and inexpensive to boot!

I think I may make one of those to keep in the car.

Thanks for sharing the suggestion. If it's not already, it should be in the FAQ.

Jeff Pierce

--
'93 945 Turbo (201K miles), '93 945 (140K miles/I maintain for a family member), '93 945 Turbo (sold w 145K miles), '92 Mercedes 190E (174K miles), '85 Jeep CJ-7 w/ Fisher plow (225K miles), '53 Willys Overland w/ Fisher plow (sold to a loving home)

http://www.brickboard.com/IMAGELIB/index.htm?uid=25304&pix_type=TECHNICAL&js_link=1&sort=&model=

Now the valve is replaced with gauge.

i just made one this wknd. i got an old MC reservoir cap at the junkyard, which was basically free, a 1 gallon garden sprayer from home depot ($13), and a 1/4" ID brass hose barb ($1) also at home depot. the hose barb fit the existing 1/4" ID hose on the sprayer.

drill a hole in the MC reservoir cap slightly smaller than the threaded side of the hose barb, screw in the hose barb, and maybe put some RTV around both sides of the hose barb, and you should be done.

i didn't put RTV around the threads of the hose barb, and by the end of the bleeding session, i noticed a slight leaking. there was still plenty of pressure, but that was the only issue i had. next time i use it, i will apply some RTV.

i also opted on just pressurizing the MC reservoir with air, to push the fluid in the reservoir through the system. the downside to this is you have to keep an eye on the reservoir and refill it a few times in the process. some folks will put brake fluid in the sprayer, but i wasn't sure how the brake fluid would treat the sprayer and associated hose. the latter approach eliminates the need to refill the reservoir several times.

Thanks. That's easier than I thought. I too was unsure about putting the brake fluid in the sprayer. I'd like to use this bleeder tool for other cars as well. I have a bunch of old MG's that I'm always doing brake repairs on. ' Think I have some old MC caps lying around from them, too.

Cheers,
Dave