Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Why? Because vacuum bleeding is cheaper, doesn't require adapters for every car, only requires opening the bleeder, can be done with one man, is virtually foolproof, and works great! The instructor at Bendix brake school loves it.
If you want to spend more money , then get a pressure bleeder. And get an adapter for every car that will be serviced. And keep removing and replacing the cover to fill the reservoir [on many].
Cheaper? Taking Mityvac as an example -- yes, the small hand held is cheaper than something like a Motive. Get into a something that will hold a decent amount of old fluid, and that's no longer the case.
Adapters? Might be an issue for some, if they own a variety of cars. Most European cars likely have an Ate reservoir that has been using the same cap design for over 40 years. Irrelevant to a pro who should have the right tools in any case.
Foolproof? What happens when an inattentive user sucks the reservoir dry? Or, perhaps, is the miniscule capacity most of those vacuum bleeders have serve as a failsafe? Good chance to leave plenty of old fluid to leave behind in the system.
And why would one need to keep removing the cover? The pressure reservoir holds at least a liter of fluid. Fill it once, pump it up, and do all wheels, plus the clutch without any further intervention.
Or are we talking about two different things? Yeah, using a vacuum tools is fine if all one wants to do is crack the screw, get a few air bubbles and siphon a little fluid out.
To me, that's a half measure. I prefer a full flush. Tomato, tomato I suppose.