Best Pressure Bleed Systems?

[HiccaBurp]

Looking at purchasing a pressure bleed system. The 2 that are on my list is the Motive and the Mityvac. I've been told pressure bleeding is easier/better than vacuum bleeding. What do you guys like and why?

For now I'll be doing my '03 Chevy 3500, '07 Toyota Prius & '08 Toyota Sequoia. However, I do the brakes on my parents/family/friends cars occasionally.

 

[u118224]

I have the Motive and love it. The adapters can be a little pricey, but it makes brake bleeding a foolproof one man job. I don't know anything about the Mityvac, someone else will have to chime in.

 

[mrborohachi]

from what information I have gathered the Motive is more geared to German cars (threaded reservoir caps) I talked to an automotive instructor at my community college and he swears by the Mityvac pressure system. All the attachments come with the kit

 

[Peoria Man]

I have the Motive and have had great luck with it. I only have GM products and Motive's GM adapter fits perfect. Round-cap style with gasket. No complaints here.

I could see how the old-style reservoirs could be cumbersome to seal however.

 

[HiccaBurp]

Some of the Motive complaints I read were on Toyotas since there is no screw on/tabs. It's a pressure fit. But also, many solved the issue with clamps to hold it down enough to build 15psi. Keep'em coming

 

[hancock1701]

I have the Mityvac hand vacuum, and I think vacuum bleed can be hard because air leaks through the bleed screw thread, making it uneffective (don't know about other cars, but my Honda does that). Some say putting some teflon tape on the thread would solve this, but I haven't tried it.

 

[Imcrazy]

Does everyone empty the Motive tank after every use? Their instructions make it sound like it is a lot of work to get it all cleaned out.

 

[HiccaBurp]

I have the Mityvac hand vacuum, and I think vacuum bleed can be hard because air leaks through the bleed screw thread, making it uneffective (don't know about other cars, but my Honda does that). Some say putting some teflon tape on the thread would solve this, but I haven't tried it.

I had a hand vacuum bleeder(can't remember brand, off-brand). That was the biggest issue. It would pull air in thru the screw or hose maybe? So I was never certain 100% if it was air in the line, or at the screw? I don't mind paying decent money for a decent tool as long as it works and makes your job easier/simpler

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

I've used both, I definitely think the Motive system is better, the issue though is mounting it to the brake fluid reservoir. On many models it's not a problem but on some it is.

The universal adapter can be tough to put on properly, it's basically clamping it down a plate with chains wrapped around. It also can be risky, very easy to break a plastic reservoir that way when tightening. I believe Power Probe makes some high end adapters that are specific to certain models, but it can be expensive to get an entire kit.

When I used the MityVac, it just didn't see to really pull a lot of vacuum and air was constantly coming in around the threads of the bleeder screws. It just seemed I had to pump like crazy. I've heard you're supposed to pull the bleeder screws and put silicone on the threads, but I haven't tried that, so YMMV.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Amazon has a number of complaints with the Motive Ford adapter.

 

[u118224]

As a follow-up, I have the Motive universal adapter. I've used it on a Honda with no problems. I clean mine after every use, it doesn't take too long. I've read on here that some Motive owners only put fluid in the master cylinder reservoir and none in the Motive. I've never tried that.

 

[HiccaBurp]

I've used both, I definitely think the Motive system is better, the issue though is mounting it to the brake fluid reservoir. On many models it's not a problem but on some it is.

The universal adapter can be tough to put on properly, it's basically clamping it down a plate with chains wrapped around. It also can be risky, very easy to break a plastic reservoir that way when tightening. I believe Power Probe makes some high end adapters that are specific to certain models, but it can be expensive to get an entire kit.

When I used the MityVac, it just didn't see to really pull a lot of vacuum and air was constantly coming in around the threads of the bleeder screws. It just seemed I had to pump like crazy. I've heard you're supposed to pull the bleeder screws and put silicone on the threads, but I haven't tried that, so YMMV.

MityVac also makes a pressure bleeder system. I think all vacuum systems have the same inherit flaw.. air entering by the bleeder screw.

Motive is under a $100 for the pressure bleeder and the adapter I need. However, I will need other adapters for different makes. The MityVac is a complete system, comes with most adapts. However, it's $262 on Amazon. In the long run, the $$ difference is not an issue since I'd use this every couple of years on all my vehicles plus my kids as they get to driving age/parents/family/friends/etc..

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MVBFM4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[shockwave]

Make sure to also get scan tool on some older gm full size you need to go thru bleed procedure before you can bleed the system not just build up pressure aswell