Brake Fluid/Bleeding Questions??

[ftm1776]

1991 MK2 Jetta, 1.6 D, No turbo...with original brake fluid reservoir.

1. If pressure bleeding the brakes, what would be a safe pressure??? so I don't blow up my fluid reservoir !

2. How much fluid is the system when full??? i.e., I need an idea of how much to buy in order to flush and fill the system.

I built a pressure bleeder from a 2 gallon sprayer which I purchased at Home Depot. I have a low pressure gauge on it so I can be more precise about the pressure that I pump into it. The clamp holds a non-threaded cap with barb connector. I have not yet used it. I don't want to crush the reservoir trying to seal it nor blow it up from too much pressure.

I can't seem to find a source for a new reservoir. Any leads on that??? Don't want to blow it up unless I can find a new one.

[shorttimer]

I'm not an expert on this, however I think it would be safe to use 5 PSI to start with & maybe bump it up a bit if you don't think it's flowing fast enough. I'd probably put a small hose clamp on the barbed end. Be careful not to crush the res with your home made clamp. I would imagine a quart of fluid would do the job for a complete flush.

[Diesel_Zuk]

What's the whole point of this? Why not bleed them normally?

[ftm1776]

I am going to tighten the clamp nuts with my fingers for minimal leverage. 5 psi would also be less likely to cause a leak. The pressure in the reservoir is going to try to force itself and the gasket up into the clamp/cap and sort of self-seal, so I should only need to snug the nuts and not crush the reservoir.

I'll use a clamp on the barb connector as I don't have to turn the cap. I removed all of the threads with a hand grinder and will use the gasket from the factory cap.

Youtube has a lot of people who explain why this is a good way to bleed the brakes. The vacuum tools don't work for me and this way I can do the job by myself......I like gadgets, too !!

[Renax]

This is a good solution for bleeding the brakes alone.
But i like to get my friend out to bleed manual, faster and easyer.

Here you can buy a kit like yours that uses air from a wheel, so i guess around 30psi or more would be fine, i don't think 5psi is enough to get the fluid flowing...

Sent from my cheapchinaphone using Tapatalk

[ToddA1]

I've used as high as 30psi and never had an issue. Use the least pressure that works.

My reservoir clamp is an Irwin Quick Clamp and my pressure bleeder is an old m/c cap that I drilled a hole in and added an air tool quick connect. I just need to keep my eye on the reservoir level. 15+ years of service from it.

-Todd

[ftm1776]

Still no answer on the availability of a reservoir for my 1991 MK2......ideas, sources?

Is the junk yard my only option? Be nice to have a backup in case I strike a gusher !!!

[theman53]

I haven't seen a new one in years

[Dakotakid]

Partsgeek.com has an ATE res.


I bleed my damned brakes with a 2x4 between the seat and the brake pedal. Use a couple thicknesses of towel to not damage the seat. I also have the engine running to make use of the booster.

On a bad day, I am done in 10 minutes.

Rube Goldberg lives.

[ftm1776]

Hey, Rube !!!

I used that trick in my former 71 Beetle...........$1740 in Germany !!!

Thanks for the memory !!!