Bleeding brakes and clutch with Mighty Vac

[Baloo]

Hi guys!

I read a few times here that many are using a Mighty Vac when changing the clutch and brakes fluids. I never worked with this tool before and am about due to replace the fluids in my IS.  So excuse my ignorance, but what is the technique to use the Mighty Vac to change the oil? Do you just hook it to the bleeder, and open the bleeder? I figure that you must pump a vacuum in the tool before you open the bleeder, right? Do you have to leave the bleeder for long?

Thanks!

[Daniel Meyer]

Remove the cover of the master cylinder you are working with. Get somebody to help you keep it topped off...that fluid goes fast and if it sucks air, you get to start all over again.

Attach the mity vac hose to the bleeder...I slip my box end wrench on the bleeder first...pull some vacuum, and crack the bleeder (making sure your helper is keeping the fluid topped off).

Pull fluid out till it runs clean (or if it was clean and just needed bled, half of the mity-vacs catch container full) and close bleeder while there is still a little vacuum pulled on it.

Presto!

[Bone]

I do it a little differently. There is all ways "NEW" brake fluid left when your done so I figure why not use as much as possible. Once it's exposed to air it absorbs moisture so storage isn't the best thing for opened cans of brake fluid.

I open the master cylinder. Take the Mityvac and suck out the used fluid. Fill the master cylinder with new fresh brake fluid. Then I follow bleeding the system the way Dan explained.
I don't know if it's any better doing it this way, makes me feel like it's better.

[doubletee]

I do it a little differently. There is all ways "NEW" brake fluid left when your done so I figure why not use as much as possible. Once it's exposed to air it absorbs moisture so storage isn't the best thing for opened cans of brake fluid.

I open the master cylinder. Take the Mityvac and suck out the used fluid. Fill the master cylinder with new fresh brake fluid. Then I follow bleeding the system the way Dan explained.
I don't know if it's any better doing it this way, makes me feel like it's better.

Only drawback to that method is sometimes an air bubble can get "caught" at the banjo bolt and can be a b!tch to get out without cracking open the banjo bolt. Just my $0.02 (and that's about all it's worth), but I always try to avoid introducing any air into the system.

[sandy]

If the system hasn't been flushed in a couple of years or more: Use the Vac to pull all the fluid out. Refill with denatured alcohol and pull that through. Then refill with DOT4 (Valvoline synthetic) and rebleed. I've done many bikes and my truck with no problems.