DIY: Pressure Bleeding the Brakes
#1
haole kama'a-ina
Thread Starter
DIY: Pressure Bleeding the Brakes
Here is a Motive Power Bleeder at work pressurizing the system to about 8 psi:
The general purpose reservior cover is chained through a slot under the reservior made for this purpose. The air bubble in the pressure line is normal, according to the guys at Motive Products. The fluid flows right around it:
Meanwhile, down at the caliper all one does is open the bleed valve a crack and stand around while the old fluid and air is pumped into a jar. (I used a toilet fill valve bracket to fasten the hose to the jar.)
No endless squeezing of a vacuum pump. Not a drop of brake fluid anywhere. The RDX bleed sequence is left front, right front, right rear, left rear.
Yes, those are new EBC RedStuff Street Performance pads. More on them later.
The general purpose reservior cover is chained through a slot under the reservior made for this purpose. The air bubble in the pressure line is normal, according to the guys at Motive Products. The fluid flows right around it:
Meanwhile, down at the caliper all one does is open the bleed valve a crack and stand around while the old fluid and air is pumped into a jar. (I used a toilet fill valve bracket to fasten the hose to the jar.)
No endless squeezing of a vacuum pump. Not a drop of brake fluid anywhere. The RDX bleed sequence is left front, right front, right rear, left rear.
Yes, those are new EBC RedStuff Street Performance pads. More on them later.
The following 3 users liked this post by 737 Jock:
#2
05' AT SSM
Is that the universal 00101 Kit?
I'm thinking about buying this, but was reading reviews saying they weren't able to get a good seal to make enough pressure to efficiently push the fluid out.
Nice to see it worked for you.
I'm thinking about buying this, but was reading reviews saying they weren't able to get a good seal to make enough pressure to efficiently push the fluid out.
Nice to see it worked for you.
#3
haole kama'a-ina
Thread Starter
My receipt shows the European and Asian kit. Adapter 1100 is the screw on cap for European and 1101 is the universal for Asian and GM/Ford.
Pressurize with just air first and snug down the chain until the air doesn't hiss, then add brake fluid. Use caution not to overtighten the chain. I kept the pressure at 7 to 8 psi. No problems.
1101 looks like this:
Pressurize with just air first and snug down the chain until the air doesn't hiss, then add brake fluid. Use caution not to overtighten the chain. I kept the pressure at 7 to 8 psi. No problems.
1101 looks like this:
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RangeRider49er (03-08-2012)
#4
I'm planning to do this job very soon =) My Motive Powerbleeder has been sitting in the garage for the past week. Just look at how clear and and clean the new brake fluid looks!
What size clear vinyl tubing did you use at the bleeder valve?
Also, how many bottles of brake fluid did you have to use to change the brake fluid?
What size clear vinyl tubing did you use at the bleeder valve?
Also, how many bottles of brake fluid did you have to use to change the brake fluid?
#5
haole kama'a-ina
Thread Starter
It seems to take about four 12 ounce bottles of Honda brake fluid to flush out the old fluid and run clean. I bought eight to be safe and put six in the power bleeder. I think I had about 12 ounces left over in the power bleeder. Honda provides no quantity spec I can find, so a little extra beats running back to the dealer. Keep the unused ones sealed.
A 5/16" OD, 3/16" ID nylon tube snugs over the bleeder with no leaks. The toilet fill valve bracket clips it securely to a jar or can.
A 5/16" OD, 3/16" ID nylon tube snugs over the bleeder with no leaks. The toilet fill valve bracket clips it securely to a jar or can.
Last edited by 737 Jock; 12-30-2010 at 01:43 PM.
The following 2 users liked this post by 737 Jock:
andrewg (10-26-2013),
RangeRider49er (03-08-2012)
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#9
haole kama'a-ina
Thread Starter
I just did a brake system flush and this time I measured as best I could.
The front calipers each took 350 ml. The rear calipers each took 200 ml. Total 1100 ml. A Honda 12 ounce bottle is 354 ml, so 4 bottles should do it. I use 6 in the power bleeder and save the leftover in a clean tightly capped bottle, with as little air as possible.
The front calipers each took 350 ml. The rear calipers each took 200 ml. Total 1100 ml. A Honda 12 ounce bottle is 354 ml, so 4 bottles should do it. I use 6 in the power bleeder and save the leftover in a clean tightly capped bottle, with as little air as possible.
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andrewg (10-26-2013)
#11
haole kama'a-ina
Thread Starter
Do you have any guidance on that?
The bleed sequence is correct as previously stated: left front, right front, right rear, left rear. Taken directly from the RDX Service Manual.
The bleed sequence is correct as previously stated: left front, right front, right rear, left rear. Taken directly from the RDX Service Manual.
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Legend2TL (01-18-2023)
#12
#14
But if the workshop manual says otherwise, that would govern.
#15
Instructor
Here's a way to save a lot on brake fluid cost when using a power bleeder, if you are VERY careful. Remember that once you open all those bottles of brake fluid and pour them into the air tank, you should not try to save what fluid is left. Storing hydraulic fluid that has been exposed to humidity is asking for trouble later since it is hygroscopic and absorbs water very quickly from its surroundings.
Just power flush at 10 psi or so using air on top of the reservoir - don't add any fluid to the pressurized air tank. You will have to remove the master cylinder adaptor each time the fluid level in the brake reservoir gets close to the bottom so you can refill it to the top.
!!!!! Obviously - if you let the fluid level fall too far you will pump air into your system and have to start over, but it doesn't hurt anything.... go slow and take your time while watching the reservoir, or have your kid sit on a stool nearby and holler when the level drops too far.
I just finished power flushing my truck this way using a home made adapter that wouldn't seal reliably enough to pump fluid through it. With a _totally_ empty brake system (new brake hoses, calipers and master cylinder) it only took about 16 ounces of fluid to get a hard pedal.
This "air only" method has its minor disadvantages, but OTH you do NOT risk having a major leak at the cap and dumping a vast amount of brake fluid all over your car.
John Davies
Spokane WA
Just power flush at 10 psi or so using air on top of the reservoir - don't add any fluid to the pressurized air tank. You will have to remove the master cylinder adaptor each time the fluid level in the brake reservoir gets close to the bottom so you can refill it to the top.
!!!!! Obviously - if you let the fluid level fall too far you will pump air into your system and have to start over, but it doesn't hurt anything.... go slow and take your time while watching the reservoir, or have your kid sit on a stool nearby and holler when the level drops too far.
I just finished power flushing my truck this way using a home made adapter that wouldn't seal reliably enough to pump fluid through it. With a _totally_ empty brake system (new brake hoses, calipers and master cylinder) it only took about 16 ounces of fluid to get a hard pedal.
This "air only" method has its minor disadvantages, but OTH you do NOT risk having a major leak at the cap and dumping a vast amount of brake fluid all over your car.
John Davies
Spokane WA
Last edited by John E Davies; 04-05-2011 at 11:37 AM.
#17
I've read reviews on Amazon about this Universal kit and people with Hondas/Acuras are saying that the cap doesn't seal well on the master cylinder resevoir. I have a TSX and would buy this kit but am wondering if anyone has had these issues? I know the OP says to pump it up to 7-8 psi, and the complaints on Amazon have been stating that it leaks above 10 psi....is less than 10 psi enough pressure to bleed out all of the fluid?
Thanks
Thanks
#18
haole kama'a-ina
Thread Starter
I do a full fluid exchange at about 8 psi. As the pressure bleeds off to 5 psi, the flow slows down and I pump it back up again. I can usually bleed one to two calipers before hitting 5 psi.
I've had the pressure as high as 10 psi, but 8 works fine and I have no desire to find out what pressure will rupture the plastic reservior.
It's important to test the seal for air leaks before putting in fluid. If the seal is set properly, it does not leak.
I've had the pressure as high as 10 psi, but 8 works fine and I have no desire to find out what pressure will rupture the plastic reservior.
It's important to test the seal for air leaks before putting in fluid. If the seal is set properly, it does not leak.
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andrewg (10-26-2013)
#19
Nice work 737Jock. I would like to add a couple of video links to this thread showing the contents of the kit here:
This video series shows a typical guy (like some of us) hooking up the pump to the brake reservoir like most of us would:
He does a series of 9 videos(you can see the links to the others off to the right side bar) showing the process of bleeding the brakes with the Motive Power Bleeder. It is good. It shows the struggles of using this system in a realistic fashion. There are some good shots of the air bubbling out of the brake reservoir. I thought the air would never stop coming out of the reservoir! I can visualize myself in his place with the same struggles. I found my self laughing like Muttley the cartoon dog with the wheezing laugh (
) The informational content was as good as the entertainment I enjoyed. It is worth watching this series of YouTube videos. This guy is one of those people who is funny without even trying to be funny! Enjoyable. You're gonna love the way he keeps the rear brake bleed valve open! This guy must be some kind of computer nerd or engineering geek. He did a good job and hopefully I can do a little better. Like me, he won't get a job as a mechanic at a local shop. Especially note the comment on how to correctly disconnect the pump in the comments section of video #9. This video series is priceless.
This video series shows a typical guy (like some of us) hooking up the pump to the brake reservoir like most of us would:
#20
Here is the manufacturer's video of the bleeder:
No you are not going deaf and don't turn up your speaker volume, there is no sound with this video. In the video, Motive Products clearly states to start with the brake farthest from the reservoir. I am not challenging 737Jock just pointing it out. This short video is worth watching also.
I plan on buying this system and doing all of my cars/trucks soon.
I plan on buying this system and doing all of my cars/trucks soon.
#23
Where did you get your bleeder from ? and what was cost?
i think you have ( copied and pasted)
Motive Products Import Power Bleeder Kit
Part # MOT-0251
MOTIVE PRODUCTS IMPORT POWER BLEEDER KIT. Comes with adapters to fit most imported cars (Adapters 1100 and 1101). All bleeders come with everything
i think you have ( copied and pasted)
Motive Products Import Power Bleeder Kit
Part # MOT-0251
MOTIVE PRODUCTS IMPORT POWER BLEEDER KIT. Comes with adapters to fit most imported cars (Adapters 1100 and 1101). All bleeders come with everything
Last edited by wifesRDXtech; 02-22-2013 at 03:26 PM.
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