Brake Bleeding
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 843
Likes: 149
From: Iowa
Brake Bleeding
I just ordered a Motive pressure bleeder for my 95. I checked the manual for recommended PSI setting and it said 20-25 PSI. This seems a little high as the videos that Motive has on there site recommends 12-15 PSI. So I am looking for advice from members who have used this unit on their C4.
Thank You
Hawkeye56
Thank You
Hawkeye56
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 325
From: San Antonio Tx
I just ordered a Motive pressure bleeder for my 95. I checked the manual for recommended PSI setting and it said 20-25 PSI. This seems a little high as the videos that Motive has on there site recommends 12-15 PSI. So I am looking for advice from members who have used this unit on their C4.
Thank You
Hawkeye56
Thank You
Hawkeye56
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,189
Likes: 830
From: Chapel Hill NC
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Ive had my Motive bleeder for a while now and Ive used it many times but honestly Ive never considered pressure when using it. I merely pump it up a few times and make sure there's flow at the caliper.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 843
Likes: 149
From: Iowa
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
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From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Regardless of whether you use one of these type bleeders, or just do it the old fashioned way, you should always use a rubber mallet to whack the caliper a couple times during the bleeding process. This will dislodge any little air bubbles clinging to a wall in the caliper. I have been doing this since I started bleeding brakes over 50 years ago. Can't hurt and possibly can help and other than the mallet itself, doesn't cost anything.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 843
Likes: 149
From: Iowa
Regardless of whether you use one of these type bleeders, or just do it the old fashioned way, you should always use a rubber mallet to whack the caliper a couple times during the bleeding process. This will dislodge any little air bubbles clinging to a wall in the caliper. I have been doing this since I started bleeding brakes over 50 years ago. Can't hurt and possibly can help and other than the mallet itself, doesn't cost anything.
Thank You
Hawkeye56
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 3,082
From: So Cal
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I use 15 psi in my Motive. On my 92 I found that 15psi did not produce any flow at the rear calipers. I had to open the rear bleeder then use my foot to force the fluid out at the rear. About a 1, 2, 3, 4 count down, and the same to let the pedal up. Wait about 10 seconds for the next cycle.
One advantage to the Motive on a 92-95 is to bleed the "prime pipe" at the BPMV behind the driver seat. Attach a tube and open the valve. You'll be surprised how quickly and easialy it bleeds and how much dirty fluid is contained in that pipe.
Cheers
One advantage to the Motive on a 92-95 is to bleed the "prime pipe" at the BPMV behind the driver seat. Attach a tube and open the valve. You'll be surprised how quickly and easialy it bleeds and how much dirty fluid is contained in that pipe.
Cheers
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 843
Likes: 149
From: Iowa
I use 15 psi in my Motive. On my 92 I found that 15psi did not produce any flow at the rear calipers. I had to open the rear bleeder then use my foot to force the fluid out at the rear. About a 1, 2, 3, 4 count down, and the same to let the pedal up. Wait about 10 seconds for the next cycle.
One advantage to the Motive on a 92-95 is to bleed the "prime pipe" at the BPMV behind the driver seat. Attach a tube and open the valve. You'll be surprised how quickly and easialy it bleeds and how much dirty fluid is contained in that pipe.
Cheers
One advantage to the Motive on a 92-95 is to bleed the "prime pipe" at the BPMV behind the driver seat. Attach a tube and open the valve. You'll be surprised how quickly and easialy it bleeds and how much dirty fluid is contained in that pipe.
Cheers
Thank you
Hawkeye56
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 1,325
From: LeClaire Iowa
I am thinking about getting a motive and have a stupid question. Since the fluid is pumped into the master cylinder when you are done is the master cylinder full to the top? Do you have to turkey baster some out down to the full mark? Dan
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 843
Likes: 149
From: Iowa
Thank you
Hawkeye56
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 3,082
From: So Cal
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
One hickup can be if the adapter doesn't seal well to the reservoir, the air gap will be expelled and you'll have a fluid leak. When I begin to pump up the Motive, I watch the fluid level in the reservoir. If it begins to rise, there's a leak. If the level stays the same, there isn't.
Cheers.
Last edited by IHBD; Jan 22, 2025 at 11:00 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 384
From: Northern California
Is it correct to assume that for older cars which have the two separate reservoirs (at different heights), that you must use the Motive on only one reservoir at a time and bleed only the fronts / rears depending on which reservoir you're sealed to? I'm about to take this on also, and want to check with those who have already done it on the older cars. Thanks -
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 3,082
From: So Cal
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
You have to do front and rear separately like you surmised. Unless you have a 1986 which has a single reservoir. Cheers.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 325
From: San Antonio Tx
I filled my master to the normal level before attaching the pressure bleeder. The air that at the top of the reservoir is trapped and stays at the top when you disconnect so the level stays almost the same.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 843
Likes: 149
From: Iowa
Thank you
Hawkeye56
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 1,325
From: LeClaire Iowa
I don't know how you would do this without a Tech that can make it run. Maybe exercise it BEFORE flushing. I have talked (via email) from a man who rebuilds them and he says that no amount of flushing or exercising the ABS will clean out the screens or solenoids. There is just not enough flow. The exercising of the ABS with the Tech, he says, is to get out small air bubbles. Dan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,189
Likes: 830
From: Chapel Hill NC
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Im not sure about the ABS but what ive read you bleed the system as you would any other. Some have suggested activating the ABS on a gravel road, afterwards, to release a small amount of fluid "trapped inside" the ABS. Even thought I have a Motive bleeder Im going to gravity bleed my 96. Changing the shocks and rotors at the same time so I have the time to watch the master cylinder level. With all the snow and ice currently here in NC I shouldn't have to go far to activate the ABS.