[Shop-talk] Brake system bleeders

[Arvid Jedlicka]

I have both the round and rectangular adapters and neither of them fit. 
Obviously the "flat" part of the adapter fits on the top of the master 
cylinder but the "chains" that clamp it down do not fit the cramped quarters 
under the MR2 "frunk". Admittedly when you look at the adapters ... 
especially the round one ... you say "how can it not fit?" but it actually 
turns out to be too wide to get the adapter and the chains to work 
effectively.

I've purchased an extra cap but it is a little strange in that it really 
does not create a tight seal on the top of the master cylinder. The way the 
cap is designed is good enough to not allow brake fluid to spill out - i.e. 
exactly what Toyota had in mind for the cap - but it does not clamp down and 
provide a pressure tight seal - or at least one that I am willing to trust - 
the way the screw-on cap for the BMW does.

Someone asked about using a Mityvac. I use one for the motorcycle and it 
works fine. I've also used this ... 
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92924 and 
had good luck. I've tried to use both of the vacuum systems on the MR2's but 
not had any luck. I attribute this to both cars having SpeedBleeders on them 
and the theoretical maximum of 14.7 psi of "suck" they might generate on a 
standard day at sea level not being enough to overcome the ball and spring 
valve in the bleeder. I would speculate that a non-SpeedBleeder system would 
work just fine.

Arvid

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Todd Walke" <racertod at racertodd.com>
To: <shop-talk at autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2010 9:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Brake system bleeders


> Arvid wrote:
>
>>As a data point, I flush the '93 MR2's every couple of years with the 
>>"helper method". I've yet to find a cap that will fit on the master 
>>cylinder that will allow me to use my pressure bleeder so Bev is kind 
>>enough to help out. I switch between ATE Super Blue and Gold so it is easy 
>>to see the fluid changes. It seems like it takes about a 1 liter can plus 
>>another cup of fluid to completely flush each car.
>
>         Motive has a universal adapters, both for round and rectangular 
> reservoirs.  I've used the round adapter on a couple of other cars, it 
> works fine.  They also can take an old cap of yours and modify it to fit 
> their bleeder.