Knowledge Base:  
Motive Power Bleeder
Last Updated: 11/16/2010
Author: Skip

The Motive Products POWER BLEEDERTM works just like professional pressure bleeders -- at a fraction of the cost.  With a POWER BLEEDERTM, one person can easily, safely, and effectively bleed the hydraulic system.

How it works:

A tank containing hydraulic fluid is connected to the fluid reservoir on your vehicle and pressurized with air from a hand pump (our precision pressure gauge ensures that the hydraulic system is not damaged due to excessive pressure). When one of the bleed valves on the vehicle is opened, old hydraulic fluid is expelled as new fluid from the tank is forced into the system.

Bleeding has never been easier. There's no need for a helper to constantly pump the pedal while you open and close the bleed valves. And the 2 liter tank prevents the need for constant refilling of the fluid reservoir, thereby avoiding corrosive spills.

  • Pressure bleeding provides the best results, even on the most difficult hydraulic systems (including most cars with ABS brakes)
  • The POWER BLEEDERTM heavy duty tank holds up to 2 quarts of fluid, enough to fully flush and clean the hydraulic system without the need to refill the tank.
  • Our precision pressure gauge prevents over pressurization and our custom machined adapter securely attaches to the fluid reservoir for the safest and most effective operation.
  • The hand-operated pump is built in-no other pressure source (air compressor, spare tire) is needed.
  • Fast, easy and reliable one-person operation. Works on hydraulic clutch systems, too.

Direction for use:

WARNING: Hydraulic fluid is hazardous. Read and follow fluid manufacturer's warnings. Hydraulic fluid is corrosive and may damage automobile paint or other surfaces. If fluid spills, flush with water immediately. Always wear safety goggles when working with hydraulic fluid.

Use your POWER BLEEDERTM only as directed. Read these directions completely before starting. The POWER BLEEDERTM is intended for use only by individuals experienced with bleeding and servicing hydraulic systems. If you are unsure about your ability or experience, consult a trained professional. Always follow vehicle manufacturers' directions when bleeding hydraulic systems.

1. Ensure that Power Bleeder is clean and free of debris, old hydraulic fluid, or any cleaners or solvents.

2. Remove hydraulic fluid reservoir cap from vehicle. If old fluid is excessively dirty, siphon it off and refill reservoir with fresh fluid. Do not pump excessively dirty fluid through hydraulic system.

3. Firmly attach POWER BLEEDERTM cap to the fluid reservoir, ensuring that gasket seats properly and is not worn or cracked.

4. Tighten pump cap onto empty POWER BLEEDERTM and pressurize to 10 psi. Check for leaks at fluid reservoir and at POWER BLEEDERTM  fluid hose connections. If reservoir cap or hose connections are leaking, release accumulated pressure in POWER BLEEDERTM  by gently unscrewing the pump cap. Never remove reservoir cap before depressurizing POWER BLEEDERTM tank. Reattach Power Bleeder reservoir cap or tighten hose connections and once again pump tank to 10 psi and check for leaks.

5. If no leaks are found, unscrew pump cap and add up to 2 quarts of new hydraulic fluid from a sealed container. Use only the type of hydraulic fluid recommended for your vehicle.

6. Tighten pump cap. Pressurize POWER BLEEDERTM to level recommended in vehicle service manual. Do not exceed 20 psi. Higher pressures may damage your vehicle's hydraulic system and could result in serious injury.

7. Determine proper brake bleeding sequence from your vehicle service manual. Attach bleed tube to bleed valve at the first cylinder to be bled; place open end in a suitable fluid receptacle. Open bleed valve; bleed until fluid runs clear and free of bubbles. Tighten bleed valve to the torque specified in your service manual.

8. Repeat on each bleed valve. Pump additional pressure into POWER BLEEDERTM if necessary.

9. If fluid remains in the POWER BLEEDERTM tank when through: tip the tank away from fluid pick-up tube and open bleed valve closest to the master cylinder. Allow air to flow into fluid reservoir until fluid level falls just to the maximum fill level on your reservoir. Close the bleed valve and tighten to specified torque.

10. When complete, release pressure by slowly loosening pump cap. Remove the cap from fluid reservoir, taking care to avoid spilling any fluid that remains in the tube.

11. Replace fluid reservoir cap on your vehicle, checking that fluid level is at the maximum level indicated on reservoir.

12. Before driving car, carefully check for leaks and test for proper brake operation.

13. Never store hydraulic fluid in POWER BLEEDERTM. Always dispose of excess fluid properly. Do not clean your POWER BLEEDERTM with brake parts cleaners or other solvents not intended for use with plastic components. Lubrication of the POWER BLEEDERTM pump mechanism should not normally be necessary.   Should lubrication be required, apply a small amount of brake fluid compatible grease to the POWER BLEEDERTM pump shaft.  Never lubricate with petroleum-based oils.

Additional Information:

Proper Bleeding of Hydraulic Systems Using a POWER BLEEDERTM:

As part of a thorough annual maintenance regimen or whenever a hydraulic system is opened and air introduced into the lines (i.e. during replacement of a master cylinder, caliper, fluid line, etc.), air must be bled from the system.

Without a POWER BLEEDERTM, bleeding the hydraulic system requires two people; one pushes down on the brake pedal while the other opens a bleed valve at the wheels or clutch slave cylinder. With one end of a piece of tubing attached to the bleeder valve and the other submerged in fresh hydraulic fluid, the brake pedal is repeatedly depressed and then released while the bleed valve is alternately opened and closed. Without this two-person process, dirty or air contaminated brake fluid can get sucked back into the wheel cylinder, caliper, or slave cylinder.

Even if done correctly, however, manual bleeding can cause problems. Under normal conditions the master cylinder piston only travels a small part of the full travel. The rest of the cylinder wall never comes into contact with the master cylinder piston. As a result, there is no opportunity for any possible corrosion on the wall of the cylinder to be removed. If the system is bled by pushing the piston through its entire range, corrosion can become trapped between the piston seal and the cylinder wall, rendering the master cylinder inoperative. Manual bleeding also requires careful checking of the fluid reservoir to ensure that it is not "pumped dry." Each time the reservoir is emptied, it must be refilled, which presents an opportunity for spilling corrosive hydraulic fluid.

Motive Products POWER BLEEDERTM allow one person to easily, safely, and effectively bleed hydraulic braking and clutch systems. Bleeding has never been easier. There's no need for a helper to constantly pump the pedal while you open and close the bleed valves. And the large capacity 2 liter tank prevents the need for constant refilling of the fluid reservoir, avoiding corrosive spills. The precision pressure gauge ensures safe and effective bleeding every time.

Source:  Motive Products, LLC

Click here to see our POWER BLEEDERTM  lineup.



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