Just finished putting new brakes on the front of my '93 and decided to invest in a 1-man vacuum bleeder...went with a MityVac for $35. I have successfully used the old style where you have a friend push on the pedal and bleed till the clean fluid comes thru with no bubbles. The instructions with the MityVac said that it is possible for air to appear in the lines from pulling it thru the bleeder screw when it is loosened...this is normal. So I did all the brakes twice...never got a solid stream of fluid to come out but figured it had to do with the vacuum pulling air in. Took it for a spin and sure feels mushy. The pedal feel was great before but the front was long in need of pads and rotors...

Any tips on using these vacuum systems?

Thanks... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I've used one of those for years. What I do is to just suck out 4-8 oz. of fluid per bleeder (until it runs clear) and as you get to the end of the cup in the vacuum kit, slowly close the bleeder with a high vacuum still on it. You can also see the differerence betweeen the air pulling out of the lines vs. the small bubbles that might leak around the bleeder threads. Just make sure to top off the m/c after every wheel is done.

I never have got mine to work right, so I no longer use it for bleeding brakes. Here is what I went back to, works great.

Also make sure you use the correct bleeding sequence:

"...This is from the FSM and it works great..."
1. Drivers side rear
2. Passenger side rear
3. Passenger side front
4. Drivers side front
5. LSPV (Load sensing proportioning valve)

I never got my vacuum pump setup to work until I spread a small amount of axle grease around the bleeder valve so air couldn't get in past the threads.

I don't have any experience using the vacuum system. I use a one way valve inline with clear plastic tubing. Works great as a one person bleeder system.
The valve I have came from the air pump in an aquarium.
Danny

Interesting... I have used a pressure system for a few years now and it is by far the easiest way to bleed brakes (and with some fiddling, clutches) I have ever used. Doing a complete flush annually now is no big deal.

Thanks for your replies guys...I am going to try it again and maybe put some grease around the fittings.

What do you all do with your old fluid?

When I got the same pump (AutoZone?), I had thsi problem. Drove me crazy.
Instead of grease, I unthreaded the bleeder fittings and wrapped teh threads in about 3 wraps of yellow plumbing tape. The stuff used for pipe fiting s etc. Note that yellow is betetr than teh standard white b/c it's oil resistant... the white will eventually be desolved by the brake fluid.
After I did that, very few bubbles.... vacuum pump works great.
The fun part is adding the tape.... when you pull out he the screw, it's start leaking fluid everywhere so you gotta work fast, lol.

Next time you are at a P-N-P, take a wrench and take a couple from any Toyota. Put them in your pocket (part of admission fee). That way you can remove/replace real quick!!!!!

I also did not have much success with the MityVac. It just took forever and a day to get all the air out. I do mine like the picture Oops posted, but using the MityVac container. I just crack the bleeder valve, and pump the pedal 10+ times (keeping the reservoir full), and then crawl bck under and close the bleeder valve. 1 man job. Works great for me.