Brake Bleeder, suction device

[Randy Bograd]

A while back, Bilgey provided a description of how to make a brake
bleeder. Here's my variation which has worked well for me over the years.
It requires a 2 qt. plastic juice jar, a hose-type vacuum cleaner and
about 4 ft. of 3/16" vacuum hose.

The opening of the juice jar is just the right size to recieve the metal
end of the vacuum hose. Insert it about 2 to inches into the jar and tape
securely.

On the curve of the jar's neck drill a hole to recieve the vacuum tube.
Insert the tube until the end of the tube touches the bottom of the jar.
Tape the tube in place. Ensure no air leaks.

With this design, all fluids collect in the bottom of the jar. The vacuum
is not strong enough to suck the liquid up into the vacuum cleaner but
plenty strong to suck liquid into the jar. Sometimes the jar collapses
from the vacuum, but it's no big deal, just as long as the jar stays
upright and the contents stay aways from the vacuum cleaner inlet. I've
used this to bleed brakes, hydraulic clutches and to empty my Amphi's
tranny.

I've placed a crudely drawn diagram in the Amphicar-lover news group in
the Files section called 'suction device'.

Disclaimer: I assume no liability for oil-soaked vacuum cleaners or
spouses wondering why the house smells funny after vacuuming.

Regards.

Randy
Blue '67 in Gaithersburg, Maryland

P.S. this is a great goup.

 

[Ed Price]

----- Original Message -----
From: Randy Bograd
To: amphicar-lovers@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2003 7:29 AM
Subject: [amphicar-lovers] Brake Bleeder, suction device


A while back, Bilgey provided a description of how to make a brake
bleeder. Here's my variation which has worked well for me over the years.
It requires a 2 qt. plastic juice jar, a hose-type vacuum cleaner and
about 4 ft. of 3/16" vacuum hose.

The opening of the juice jar is just the right size to recieve the metal
end of the vacuum hose. Insert it about 2 to inches into the jar and tape
securely.

On the curve of the jar's neck drill a hole to recieve the vacuum tube.
Insert the tube until the end of the tube touches the bottom of the jar.
Tape the tube in place. Ensure no air leaks.

With this design, all fluids collect in the bottom of the jar. The vacuum
is not strong enough to suck the liquid up into the vacuum cleaner but
plenty strong to suck liquid into the jar. Sometimes the jar collapses
from the vacuum, but it's no big deal, just as long as the jar stays
upright and the contents stay aways from the vacuum cleaner inlet. I've
used this to bleed brakes, hydraulic clutches and to empty my Amphi's
tranny.

I've placed a crudely drawn diagram in the Amphicar-lover news group in
the Files section called 'suction device'.

Disclaimer: I assume no liability for oil-soaked vacuum cleaners or
spouses wondering why the house smells funny after vacuuming.

Regards.

Randy
Blue '67 in Gaithersburg, Maryland

P.S. this is a great goup.


I would like to add my 2 cents here. Go out & buy a cheap, old canister vacuum
cleaner (I have a Hoover Constellation, circa about 1955; got it for $1 at a
garage sale.), maybe at a garage sale or swapmeet. Although having a big wet/dry
shop-vac is great, there are lots of times when that 20 gallon, 2" diameter
hose, turbo screamer is too much of a hassle to bother with. I keep my little
canister handy for sucking up drill chips & chasing spiders. Every few years,
you might need a new hose, but they're cheap too. The canister will last you
forever, it's quiet, and it has plenty of suction to handle stuff like oil
changes and Randy's gadget. And then your wife won't gripe that the carpet
smells like brake fluid.

Ed
El Cajon
67 Rust Guppy


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