can't get the bleeding goin'.....

[SwitchBlade327]

trying to flush out the brakes on the poncho for some fresh fluid and I can't get shit to come out of the bleeders, i dunno what we're doing wrong here, and we've probaly sucked a shitload of air into the lines now, i have basically no pedal...wtf?

[desertratrodder]

Did you take the bleeders all the way out and still nothing? The hole in the bleeder screw itself can get plugged up. Its usually on the side of the screw, so sticking something in there to clean it out wont work..you have to take em out...
If you pull out the bleeders and still get nothing, crack the line going into the wheel cyl..if you get fliud at that point, figure a wheel cylinder overhaul or replacement will be in your future..

[flying clutchman]

did you run the master cylinder real low on fluid? because if you did you might have to bleed the master cylinder.

diego

[SwitchBlade327]

i am officially the KING of stupid ass questions...the cylinders should be good, I had decent brakes, I just got brake fade sometimes so i was changing out the fluid to get rid of any moisture/air in there. I've never had to add any fluid to the car since I got it so theres no leaks anywhere, we'll see if the hole's plugged and see what happens. None of the local parts places that are open had the tool that sucks the fluid out... i want my shit EMPTY!

[SwitchBlade327]

ok i forgot that we tried doing it from EVERY wheel by it's self and nada damn thing came out of any of em. I wouldn't think every wheel's bleeder would be clogged, would it???

[desertratrodder]

You can make a "pressure bleeder" of sorts out of an old master cylinder cap..drill a hole in it, screw an air tool fitting in it, silicone around it to seal..and you have it..if you are able to meter your air supply, turn it way down and bleed away.You will have to keep checking it to make sure you dont run out of juice..

[SwitchBlade327]

that might work, but I have none of those things except the silicone....from the feel of the pedal it feels like i have no brakes now, guy I work with told me just to unscrew one bleeder and just leave it alone until shit starts coming out. I dunno about that though, and even if it does work I don't think i have time to wait for gravity to take effect (this is my only car at the moment)

[SwitchBlade327]

does the car having power steering make a difference, just thought about that. we're gonna go try with the car idling....

[desertratrodder]

First pick one wheel to attack..say the right rear...you open the bleeder..nothing.. check it to see if its plugged, if needed clean it..put it back in.
Grab an old jelly jar or similar clear jar with a metal lid. Find a piece of vacuum hose that will seal when stuck on the bleeder. Poke a hole in the lid, stick hose in. Make it a tight squeeze in the lid, so the hose doesnt fall out.
Pour a few inches of brake fluid in the jar, make sure the end of the hose stays under the fluid.
Now what you just made is a one man bleeder. The advantage of this is you can see the air coming out, as well as funky fluid, and it wont suck any more air in.
I've used them for years and they work great. A little redneck tech for ya.. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[SwitchBlade327]

doesn't have the speed bleeder things on it, just screws... nothing to attach a piece of hose to...

[desertratrodder]

Something like this?? I've never seen just screws...

[SwitchBlade327]

ok it wasn't my fault, my buddy that was under there unscrewed the wrong damn thing....they're bleeding now. how long does it usually take to bleed out ALL the fluid? I've already done 3 wheels and it's still half full....

[Fatchuk]

Your last post post ...what do you mean it doesn't have the opening nipple on the fitting you are trying to bleed from.....That's strange I have never seen any bleeders like that....are you sure your opening the bleeders? one of the ways I do this if I want to get air out or can't get it out.. I use a pump you can get them at most autoparts places, it will thread onto the container of brake fluid and I pump it from the wheel cyl to, the master and use a (turkey baster $1.00 at the dollar store) to suck it out of the master cyl resiorvior.. if your master is full and with all the bleeders closed you should be able to with the help of an assistant either working the brake pedal or the bleeder screw...get the air out or' gravity works very well and quite quickly crank open the bleeders make sure the master stays full keep and eye cause if your open the bleeders don't go for dump or the master will be empty when you get back........fatchuk