Date:         Fri, 8 Dec 2000 10:33:10 EST
Reply-To:     JKrevnov@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rico Sapolich <JKrevnov@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Power Brake Bleeding
Comments: To: KENWILFY@aol.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 12/8/00 8:50:55 AM, KENWILFY@AOL.COM writes:

<< It is so much easier to do with a Mityvac vaccum bleeder (you can get from
Rocky Mountain or your local Wal-mart for around $30).  >>

Ken,

The problem with vacuum bleeding is that it constantly draws air from around
the threads of the bleeder screw and creates bubbles in the bleed hose which
look the same as air in the line.  I guess this could be avoided by
installing those check valve, o-ringed bleeder screws, but they probably cost
more than the manual vacuum pump itself.  A cheap and effective vacuum
bleeder can be had by using a disposable plastic syringe.  A 100cc size is
nice, but I have used a 50cc one with no problems.  They are routinely used
in hospitals for nontoxic, noninfectious purposes and then thrown away, so
getting one for free is not too much of a hassle.  Even if you have to buy
one, they are cheap as long as you get it from an industrial supply vendor
and not a hospital supply house!

I once had the Mother-of-All-Disposable-Syringes.  It was originally used to
clean a dummy used in a CPR course and it displaced 250cc.  It worked great
for all sorts of stuff until I got lazy and didn't clean it after using it to
pump gear blood into a Syncro.  That syringe's piston sucked up the residual
oil and swelled to about twice its recommended size.  Gotta get another one
of those.

Rich