Date:         Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:21:56 -0700
Reply-To:     Jeffrey Vickers <jeff@VICKERSDESIGN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey Vickers <jeff@VICKERSDESIGN.COM>
Subject:      Re: Q:Brake Fluid Reservoir Cap Size for power bleeder?
In-Reply-To:  <20110630213823.064E838B355@izzy.vickersdesign.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

Yes, that's the right size for the Vanagon reservoir.

The Motiv bleeder is great but I recommend a modification before you
use it: lengthen the piece of hose between the bleeder and the 45mm
cap to 6 or 8 ft so that you can set the bleeder down OUTSIDE the van.
The hose that comes with the bleeder is short - meaning that you would
be tempted to set the bleeder down on your front seat while you run
around and bleed all the wheels. BAD IDEA! How I know this:

My Motiv is a few years old and has been borrowed by many friends.
Unknown to me was a small crack in the aforementioned hose and after I
pressurized the tank to 12 PSI and set it down on the seat, it sprang
a leak. I was over at the front passenger bleeder when I heard this
high-pitched whining sound that sounded like an electronic tone of
some kind. Half a second later I realized what it was and ran over to
the driver door to find a pinhole-sized stream of brake fluid shooting
out of the bleeder hose and spraying brake fluid all over my seat and
everything behind it. My life flashed in front of me! Dreaded brake
fluid all over the inside of my beautiful van! I thought I had ruined
my interior until I got out 409 and started spraying everything down
and then vacuuming everything up. Believe it or not,  the brake fluid
did not affect the upholstery at all.

When my heart rate dropped below 200, I put an 8 ft hose on the bleeder.

Air born brake fluid is not your friend,

Jeff in Marin


On Jun 30, 2011, at 2:36 PM, Automatic digest processor wrote:

> Date:    Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:00:38 -0700
> From:    Oxroad <oxroad@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Q:Brake Fluid Reservoir Cap Size for power bleeder?
>
> Hey Folks,
>
> I'm looking at a Motiv brand power brake pressure bleeder.
>
> For those of you in the know:
>
> Is the model 0100 they call "European Bleeder: fits most European
> built
> cars" with the 45mm cap
> the correct size for the Vanagon?
>
> Thanks,
> Best,
> Jeff
> 83.5 Westy
> LA,CA