How to Use Motive Products Power Brake Bleeder

The MVP-0290 kit comes with aluminum adaptors as opposed to the composite ones. These are sure to last longer, and they look better, too, but you’ll want to consider how often you’ll use it (and how often your friends will) compared to the additional cost for the upgraded aluminum adapters.

To get started, select the correct adaptor for your application. The 1117 three-prong adaptor, which fits most Fords, also fits our WRX reservoir. It’s a good idea to clean the reservoir at this point to prevent any possible contamination of the fluid, and you need to remove all of the old brake fluid that is currently in the reservoir before you get started. In the FAQ section on Motive’s website (www.motiveproducts.com), it’s noted that this particular adaptor can be difficult to engage, but it didn’t take much for us to get it on the reservoir and get busy.

It can be a little tricky to get the adapter to lock down on the reservoir, so be sure to keep an eye on it and ensure that the adapter is screwing down on it flat and properly engaging the prongs. If it’s crooked, it will cause an air leak and could strip out the reservoir housing. It may take a bit of effort to push it down on the reservoir prior to turning the adapter.

Fill the bleeder tank with your recommended brake fluid, connect the line to the adapter, and then use the plunger to bring the tank up to 15 psi of pressure. It’s not uncommon for air to be in the clear plastic tubing, as this is usually residual from the line itself or the reservoir. The brake fluid, however, will find its way around the air bubbles and into the brake system. From our experience, you can pretty much do this just once and be able to walk around the car, bleeding each corner as needed.

The MVP-0290 power brake bleeder kit comes with a half-gallon tank, which is plenty of capacity for most automotive jobs. Motive also sells a kit with a gallon-sized tank when additional capacity is needed.

Repurposing those Wonton soup containers you have sitting in the garage probably sounds like a good option to catch old brake fluid in, and it can work in a pinch. A better solution, however, is Motive Products’ MVP-1810 catch bottle; it's also sold in pairs under part number MVP-1820. These are high-quality, durable plastic containers with a wire lanyard so you can hang the bottle if your vehicle is elevated. You can also use them to vacuum the old fluid out of the reservoir by simply inserting the vacuum tube into the reservoir and squeezing the bottle.

When you have the vehicle elevated and the wheels off, it’s a good idea to spray the brake bleeders on your calipers with some penetrating fluid. Despite having spent a few winters in the northeast of the country, the bleeders on the WRX were in great shape and broke loose easily. Line wrenches come in handy and help prevent you from stripping the corners off of them, but ours came loose with a six-point socket.

As you can see, age and use takes its toll on brake fluid. We bled the brakes twice on the car, with the first round on the left, and the second on the right. The pedal is much firmer now and the WRX is ready for its next maintenance service. Did someone say timing belt?