Editing Vacuum brake bleeder set up

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I have tried pressure power bleeders and they can be quite a mess.  Brake fluid hurts very bad when you get it in your eyes and will take paint off.  Having it pressurized isn't my idea of a fun time.  Having brake fluid under vacuum is much more idiot proof.

What you need:
-Vacuum pump
-Glass jar with lid
-Clear tubing
-Brass fittings
-All this should cost around $20

==Vacuum Pump==
You can get inexpensive venturi (need an air compressor to operate) vacuum pumps made for AC work from Harbor Freight.  The one I have is just like the first link but is red and had a R12 fitting on it.  The vacuum fitting is 1/8-NPT on the other side.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92475

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96677

==Glass Jar==
I used an old spaghetti sauce jar, drilled some holes in the lid and put some brass fittings in it.  I needed to use washers to get a tight seal.

Jar and lid with fittings
http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e24/Triaged/Misc/?action=view&current=IMG_0490a.jpg

Underside of jar lid with fittings
http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e24/Triaged/Misc/?action=view&current=IMG_0492a.jpg

Jar assembled ready for vacuum bleeding
http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e24/Triaged/Misc/?action=view&current=IMG_0494a.jpg

==Fittings==
I used 3 male 1/4-NPT x 1/8 barb fittings, 1 female 1/4-NPT x 1/8 barb fitting, 1 female 1/4-NPT x 1/8-NPT coupler, and 1 female 1/4-NPT 90° fitting.  I also put a ball valve on the pressure input side.  The valve is needed to control the vacuum.


==Use==
Hook it up and turn it on...

There are a few issues with vacuum bleeding.  First is sucking air around the bleeder valve threads.  The solution is to use teflon tape or thread sealer on the threads.

I didn't have much luck with either teflon tape, or sealer, seems that movement of the bleeder valve disrupts the seal. I used silicone greese that would move with the valve, due to the use of Dot 5 brake fluid. Maybe lithium would work with Dot 3 fluid. With the 3/8" vacumm hose I was using, I had to carefully regulate the vacumm source to keep from over running the 3/16" brake line, and causing more air in the suction line.
[[Category:Brakes]]