MightyVac frustration

[Weasel73240Z]

Just a heads-up, and I don't know if I'm alone, but I had no luck using a MightyVac to bleed my brakes. I found that I was just pulling air through the bleeder threads, and nothing through the cylinders. The teflon tape doesn't really work, because once you back them off a few times, they lose the thread seal, and you start pulling air through the threads again. Maybe if I had speedbleeders it would've worked alright, but not with the stock bleeders.

Anyway, after about 2 - 3 hours of trying unsuccessfully with the MightyVac, I had a buddy come over and bleed them the traditional way, and I was done in 15 minutes. So in my experience, if your frustrated with trying to vaccuum bleed, just go the old fashioned way.

[twsutt]

Paul,

I found that I had the same issues when I used a MightyVac. The only thing that I've found the MightyVac to be good for is suctioning the brake fluid out of the master cylinder reservoirs when changing the MC or the brake fluid.

I can bleed my brakes - by myself - with 24" of clear tubing and a jar or bottle in just about 15 minutes. I can't see it being any quicker even if I had speed bleeders.

Sometimes, the old fashioned way is the best way to get things done.

[ktm]

Funny this should come up. I ran into this issue last night when bleeding my brakes with a Mightvac. I put greases around the bleeder thread and around the nipple that goes inside the bleeder and it solved my problem. I was able to pull up to 25 in. Hg. vacuum without breaking the grease seal.

[mlc240z]

same as Bo,

just kept sucking air thru the threads without a dab of bearing grease.

also have gotten into the habit of putting antiseize on the bleeders and brake line connections for future maintenance ease and that worked almost as well.

MightyVac does work great on newer cars to pull vacuum to test sensors, diaphragms and such. handy tool.

[d240zx2]

I haven't had any success w/MightVac, either. I haven't tried the thread grease, though. Maybe that will help.

Frank

[Oiluj]

FWIW, I have a system that pressurizes the master vac using a spare tire. It works quite well for singlehanded bleeding.

I drop the pressure tire to about 10 psi when I use it. Don't know the manufacturer as I've had it for years and all the writing is gone on the bottle.

I'll have to fabricate a locking cover for the 240Z master cylinder so I can use it on the Z. (What I've had to do for almost every car I've used it on... Figure I'll use a cap from an 15 year old master cylinder I still have laying around from my last 240Z.

[Bonzi Lon]

When I changed out the fluid in my masters, after sitting 26 years, rather than pushing it ALL through the lines I used a plastic syringe (about 6cc without needle) to suck it all out of the reservoirs, available very cheap at the local drug store. A turkey baster from the kitchen would work also, but you better replace it before the wife notices it missing.

Bonzi Lon

[DeesZ]

A turkey baster from the kitchen would work also, but you better replace it before the wife notices it missing.

Bonzi Lon

Very wise man, Bonzi Lon! It takes years to learn the art of balancing the issues of auto mechanics as a hobby and domestic relations! Good tip on draining the fluids, too. Also, I have used the old-time method of a soda bottle and clear aquarium hose very successfully for many years - very inexpensive and very functional.