I know sometimes you can't always have a helping hand and other times you can't afford to buy the right tools. I needed a vacuum bleeder today and didn't want to go out and buy an air compressor and vacuum bleeder so I decided to craft my own.
I figure I can share my secrets with you all in case you're ever in the same boat!
Notice: If you fuck this up and somehow hurt yourself or your car, neither I nor ToyotaNation are responsible. Use this write-up at your own risk. If you're not comfortable with the work involved, don't do it.
Materials needed:
Clear tubing, about 2 feet will do. You can use less or more, it's up to you.
A jar with a large lid. (about 3 inches in diameter is good)
A drill, dremel tool, knife, etc. Some way to cut holes through thick plastic.
Duct tape or similar sticky tape. If you plan on using this invention in the long run, use hot glue or epoxy for a surely air tight seal.
Household vacuum cleaner or shop vac with small funnel shaped adapter.
Time: About 5 minutes to craft.
First, get a can/jar. Either glass or THICK plastic.
I used a Hellmans mayo jar.
Note: If you're using glass (mason jar?), you'll need to drill two holes in the lid instead of the step below. Both hoses will go through the lid.
Drill a hole about the size of the clear tubing on the side or near the top of the jar. You could also put it in the lid if you want.
Then, tape the
shit out of it. I plan on using this for brakes later on, so I'm gonna gorilla glue it later tonight.
Remove the lid and find a drill bit around the size of whatever household vacuum cleaner hose you want to use. Drill a hole out of the lid.
Insert the vacuum cleaner hose and tape it in place. Don't be stingy with the tape!
You're ready to bleed some shit! I was using this to bleed my clutch today, so here's some pics of it in place.
Place the closed end of an 8 mm wrench over the bleeder screw of the slave cylinder. Then slide the clear hose over the screw.
Turn on your vacuum, open it up and let it suck. The clear tube will let you see when air stops bubbling out.
MAKE SURE you watch the level of fluid in the master cylinder! If it gets too low, you're letting air in and will have to waste a lot of new fluid just to get it out.
VERY IMPORTANT: Turn on the vacuum
BEFORE you open the bleeder screw, or else you'll let more air in.
Close the bleeder
before you turn the vacuum off, as well.
Not only does this tool let you bleed things without another person, it also makes it so much easier
and as an added bonus, it catches all the fluid for you!
Linear Mode
