Motive Power Bleeder Review

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I am currently upgrading my brake calipers to OEM Brembo Calipers, as well as doing stainless lines and new DOT4 brake fluid. In the past when I changed calipers on my ranger bleeding them was a huge pain. I have also helped my neighbor bleed brakes when I was younger and the 2 person method of pumping the pedal is just a pain in the rear. This leads up to my purchase of the Motive Power Bleeder with the Nissan 350z specific adapter. You can order adapters for a wide variety of other applications on their website.

http://www.motiveproducts.com/

Initial Impressions

When it first arrived I felt like it was going to work well. It felt like a quality product, and even though I saw some areas where it could be improved, I had high hopes for it.

Usability
The concept of this product is you put fresh fluid into the reservoir, put the cap onto the master cylinder and pump it up to around ~15psi (no more then 20psi) and go around and bleed your brakes.

This is the first time I have used a product like this, and it took some trial and error to figure out exactly how I wanted to go about using it. Right off the bat I saw the need for an on/off valve near the cap that screws onto the master cylinder. I put rags all around the master cylinder reservoir and was glad I did because when I took it off the first time, it spilled all over the place. A valve so you can shut it and not have fluid spill everywhere when you take the cap off the master cylinder would be a HUGE plus. Also a longer piece of tubing would be nice so you can set this unit on the ground to pump it up, and when you release the pressure the fluid falls away from the cap faster. I had it set up in the engine bay on clean shop towels to keep the mess down.

Another issue I had is it left to much brake fluid in the master cylinder reservoir. I had to take an old syringe and suck some out, so I was right at the "Max" line.

To actually bleed the brakes, I went around with a 1 gallon jug with a bit of clear tubing. When I cracked the valve I just let the fluid flow until the fluid in the tube was a solid blue color. I probably would have let it run longer (and wasted more fluid), but the new dyed fluid made it pretty easy to tell when all the old fluid was flushed out. It made me wonder if there is something you could dye clear fluid with when you go to flush it out.

Overall Impressions

Even with the draw backs, and it being a very messy process, I am over all very pleased with this product. It took me all of maybe 20 minutes when i finally got it hooked up to go around and flush all the old fluid out of all 8 bleeding valves. When I started the car up to test the pedal it was very stiff on the first try. I only had to pump it 1 time to push out all the collapsed pistons, and then it was a very strong pedal.

Next time I go to use this, I will be modifying it, adding some valves and longer lengths of tube to make it a bit more user friendly. But overall it was the easiest I have ever bled brakes.

Pictures
I did not get to many action shots of it installed because it seemed to be done by the time I remembered.

Filled with fluid ready to be used. I have a feeling I put to much fluid into the unit. I had to pour a lot back into the cans when I was done. I would advise using the least amount you think you need.


350Z Adapter

[Synical DSM]

Theres a review section. Anyway. power bleeders are the #!#!#!#!. Used them constantly.

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Yeah I know, but it is for parts, not tools.

[Synical DSM]

AAaahh this is true. good write up by the way.

[d3ad1ysp0rk]

Nice, I was thinking about getting one

[Boosted Euro]

I but the same Blue fluid in Jess's M3. You use the red next time so you can see the color change. I think it was Red anyway..lol But that is why they have 2 colors, you switch everytime so you know the old #!#!#!#!s all out.