Ok, I wanted to bleed the brakes on my new(to me) jeep and was up in the air over a vac tool or speed bleeders. After a while I decided on the vac tool hoping to use it on more than 1 vehicle(unlike speed bleeders). Also I read speed bleeders and off roading might cause problems with the bleeders down the road.
So, off to sears I went and picked up the vac tool on sale for 49$. It looked like exactly what I wanted in a bleeding tool.
Today I put it to the test.
First off the rubber adapter that goes on the end the clear bleed hose to the bleeder sucks. It was letting air in, the kit came with a few sizes only 1 was the right fit and still leaked. I pulled that adapter off and put the clear hose right on the bleeder and that worked better at least.
The next hassle, the small cup would not sit in one spot or up right. Every time I do anything the cup is on its side. Its a very light weight plastic with a small base and all the weight is on the top. So that became a constant battle holding on to the cup while working the pump.
The dissapointment continues the more I used the vac. I was expecting a few pumps would pull out alot of fluid. Well it took prolly 100 pumps and still I had air trapped in the clear hose. I had to raise the catch cup above the bleed screw and operate the vac. So now Im laying under the jeep balacing a cup high up having to hold the vac near it and pump 100s of times.
The cup is very small and filled up way before I had clear fluid coming out. The pass rear tire I had to empty the cup 4 times. Of course when you empty the cup brake fluid likes to just go every where. I never spilled so much brake fluid ever before on any brake job. Even putting new calipers in my supra I didnt make nearly the mess as just this bleed job.
I made it to the driver rear and hit a big problem. At some point the cup tipped slightly over and I didnt notice. Well, the vac sucked up brake fluid into the vac itself. It seemed in 1 pump it suddenly decided to really pull some fluid of course. So then my vac is full of fluid and I have to pull all the hoses off and get the fluid out. Of course all the fluid doesnt come out, it leaks all over the vac and floor again. At this point having brake fluid on my hands and touching the pump, the craftsman logo is now a huge smear of red. Im sure the vac internals are ruined having come in contact with brake fluid as well.
I tried to do the pass front side but just gave up. The pump wasnt sucking any fluid out anymore. Brake fluid was slowly seeping out of the rear of the vac.
All in all, the tool for me at least is a joke. Speed bleeders are 100x's better. I should have stuck with the speed bleeders, I have them in my supra and motorcycle. Never had a problem with the SB's either, crack them 1/4 turn and pump the pedal - done.
I hope sears takes the vac back, I have the receipt and its only been 2 days since I bought it. The vac looks like its 10 years old now after 1 use.
So, off to sears I went and picked up the vac tool on sale for 49$. It looked like exactly what I wanted in a bleeding tool.
Today I put it to the test.
First off the rubber adapter that goes on the end the clear bleed hose to the bleeder sucks. It was letting air in, the kit came with a few sizes only 1 was the right fit and still leaked. I pulled that adapter off and put the clear hose right on the bleeder and that worked better at least.
The next hassle, the small cup would not sit in one spot or up right. Every time I do anything the cup is on its side. Its a very light weight plastic with a small base and all the weight is on the top. So that became a constant battle holding on to the cup while working the pump.
The dissapointment continues the more I used the vac. I was expecting a few pumps would pull out alot of fluid. Well it took prolly 100 pumps and still I had air trapped in the clear hose. I had to raise the catch cup above the bleed screw and operate the vac. So now Im laying under the jeep balacing a cup high up having to hold the vac near it and pump 100s of times.
The cup is very small and filled up way before I had clear fluid coming out. The pass rear tire I had to empty the cup 4 times. Of course when you empty the cup brake fluid likes to just go every where. I never spilled so much brake fluid ever before on any brake job. Even putting new calipers in my supra I didnt make nearly the mess as just this bleed job.
I made it to the driver rear and hit a big problem. At some point the cup tipped slightly over and I didnt notice. Well, the vac sucked up brake fluid into the vac itself. It seemed in 1 pump it suddenly decided to really pull some fluid of course. So then my vac is full of fluid and I have to pull all the hoses off and get the fluid out. Of course all the fluid doesnt come out, it leaks all over the vac and floor again. At this point having brake fluid on my hands and touching the pump, the craftsman logo is now a huge smear of red. Im sure the vac internals are ruined having come in contact with brake fluid as well.
I tried to do the pass front side but just gave up. The pump wasnt sucking any fluid out anymore. Brake fluid was slowly seeping out of the rear of the vac.
All in all, the tool for me at least is a joke. Speed bleeders are 100x's better. I should have stuck with the speed bleeders, I have them in my supra and motorcycle. Never had a problem with the SB's either, crack them 1/4 turn and pump the pedal - done.
I hope sears takes the vac back, I have the receipt and its only been 2 days since I bought it. The vac looks like its 10 years old now after 1 use.
