Weird ... I just went to Motive's site and the Black Series is being sold with clear hose. It was less than a year ago when I bought mine and I really thought it advertised coming with a SS hose. Oh well, hopefully I can find a swivel fitting for less than $20 or I was robbed.:D

Brake Bleeder
 

You can purchase a power bleeder from places like Performance Products or you can make one out of a small chemical sprayer, pressure gage and a spare master cylinder cap

I don't think stainless-steel braided hose is necessary for under 30 PSI. If they source cheap braided hose, you might be better off with clear hose anyway.'

I'm about to buy one of these things, since I'm overdue for a fluid change in the Benz, and the Jetta is just coming up on its second birthday.

You can build your own. I used a 1/2 gallon chemical sprayer and an old cap for the master cylinder and a brass nipple fitting. I have used it for years with no problems. I now have a collection of caps for many cars. I think it cost $20 total. I got the caps at the junkyard for all my cars for a buck.

Yes, I could build my own, but it would mean a new master-cylinder cap. Going to the junkyard would take well over an hour, perhaps two, including driving time. Then there's the fuel to get there, assuming that I have to go on the weekend to catch one that's open.

Of course, once I have the parts, it is still going to take time to put it together.

The only jobs that I will do that don't save me at least $50/hour are jobs that I do not trust to anyone else.

So when you build your own and save the $30-50 bucks, and it sprays brake fluid all over your paint, then what? This is just worst case senario.

j/k...I just really like the motive products. Ive used them for many years now.

I agree with omegabenz. It's not worth the effort to build one. Brake fluid all over your car is a bummer. The Motive product has the correct cap and works great. But, do as you wish....

Does Motive Power Bleeder cap fit 04/C230 reservoir or do I need to order special adapter?
Thanks

Here's what I ordered from Motive.

Qty Part No Name Options Price Discount Total
--- ------- ------------ ------- ------ -------- ------
1 0100 EURO BLEEDER $49.95 $0.00 $49.95

Make sure you order the new rubber caps on the master cylinder. If it pops off, it makes a huge mess (watch for dryrotting). Also pressurize the system before you put fluid in the bleeder to check for leaks. Most recently on my friends 190E, the reservoir had a pinhole in it that we noticed. Just be careful and wear eye protection, you never know when liquids underpressure will move in a way you were not counting on.

FYI
 

Warning: Over-stroking the master cylinder may cause it to fail.

This can happen to even the most experienced mechanic, "Especially" on a high mileage car.
The old school manual brake pedal "down" - "up" - "down" - "up" bleed method risks over-stroking the master cylinder.
The master cylinder piston seals can get scored if they're pushed into a normally unused - corroded, region of the master cylinder's bore.
If this happens, you'll have little or no brake pedal, and will need a new master cylinder.
I strongly recommend using a pressure bleeder to avoid the issue.

FYI: no need to even put brake fluid in the Motive (or other) pressure bleeder. I stopped doing that years ago. Now I simply use it as an air pressure reservoir. That way you don't risk a line or fitting bursting (although I never was concerned about it) and it's less messy when you de-pressurize.

When the brake master cylinder reservoir gets low, de-pressurize the system, top up the reservoir, and re-pressurize.

ABSOLUTELY!

THANK YOU!

I have used the motive power set-up with aluminum cap and longer hose, coupled with a home-made bleeder bottle set-up. It was used to do 5 cars in a row and worked very well on all of them!

In the case of the motive, the guy had to stop to refill with brake fluid, but that's because he did 5 cars straight.

I am looking to buy one used from a guy for 10 bucks because he doesn't do mech work any more, so I'm gonna grab it at that price.

^ Do not top up while on the same vehicle or you will force air into the brake system. Ask me how I know...

Used my motive power bleeder 3 times so far and its rock solid and makes the job a breeze. Well worth the $50-$60 to save you 1-2hrs each time + any clean up any other method may induce.

Sorry to go grave digging
 

But after years of using the two man brake bleed method I finally switched to something new. Make sure you have a big air compressor. It works beautifully! Make sure to smear some grease on the bleed nipple for a good seal. Very pleased consumer.
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