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Is Propane hot enough to loosen bleeders

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Old 07-31-2003, 11:39 PM
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MN-Brent
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Default Is Propane hot enough to loosen bleeders

A little OT as this is for my little brothers Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. He's got 4 wheel discs and we tried to break the rear bleeders, but they twisted in half. We had used on PB Blaster but didnt give it enough time to work for sure. He ended up just buying 2 new rear calipers.

Now its time for the fronts. Dont want to repeat the performance. I told him to use the PB blaster for 3-4 days with a new squirt each day.

In case this doesn't work, does propane get hot enough to break the bleeders loose? This is a winter salted car.

Brent....
Old 08-01-2003, 12:30 AM
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flynhi
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Default Re: Is Propane hot enough to loosen bleeders (MN-Brent)

I think I'd try a pneumatic impact wrench before propane.
Old 08-01-2003, 01:17 AM
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MN-Brent
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Default Re: Is Propane hot enough to loosen bleeders (flynhi)

I would think the impact wrench is way too much for the 10mm bleeders. Ive never even heard of anyone doing that to a bleeder. :eek:

Brent....
Old 08-01-2003, 08:26 AM
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Default Re: Is Propane hot enough to loosen bleeders (MN-Brent)

Dial back the air pressure on your impact wrench and give it a try. I don't remember if brake fluid is flammable, but I get real nervous with open flames.
Old 08-01-2003, 08:33 AM
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Default Re: Is Propane hot enough to loosen bleeders (flynhi)

Hmm... how much are calipers? :jester

Might want to try one of craftsman's bolt outs... might do the trick... might not, but hey it'd be a new tool too! :jester
Old 08-01-2003, 08:45 AM
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79 Midnight Blue L82
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Default Re: Is Propane hot enough to loosen bleeders (MN-Brent)

Definately don't use a torch, even propane. Brake fluid is very flammable. My younger son drug home a Nissan to scrap out one time and I made the mistake of torching a brake line - you don't want to use flames with brake fluid. It flashed on me and singed (spelling?) most of my remaining hair :eek: .
Old 08-01-2003, 08:55 AM
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Ki m Le
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Default Re: Is Propane hot enough to loosen bleeders (MN-Brent)

Yes, I did it every time with propane, before loosen the bleeders (Worked for me). Impact is dangerous!


Old 08-01-2003, 09:18 AM
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Default Re: Is Propane hot enough to loosen bleeders (MN-Brent)

i'm thinking that the propane will work just fine, just keep it away from rubber and brake fluid... impact would scare me wayyy too much... even though the impact turned all the way down would be low, it only takes a good jerk to shear them off...
Old 08-01-2003, 04:18 PM
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adamdinat
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Default Re: Is Propane hot enough to loosen bleeders (MN-Brent)

I used propane on one of mine. I had one that was so rusty the corners were gone. I had the caliper out on the bench. It did not take much
Old 08-01-2003, 07:11 PM
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Default Re: Is Propane hot enough to loosen bleeders (adamdinat)

Have someone standing by with a fire extinguisher in hand.........
Old 08-01-2003, 08:20 PM
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Big Fish
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Default Re: Is Propane hot enough to loosen bleeders (MN-Brent)

Propane might work, Mapp gas would work better, but by far an oxy/acetylene with a small tip is the best. Be sure to concentrate the heat on the areas surrounding the bleeder screw, not the screw itself. The drawback to this is you could cook the rubber parts of the caliper before the castings are hot enough to release the bleeders. I really like a product called Silicroil or Aerocroil.
Old 08-02-2003, 08:07 AM
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Default Re: Is Propane hot enough to loosen bleeders (Ki m Le)

:iagree: propane nice a slow won't break your bleeders off like the shopps do and then tell you: you need new calipers they're bad----but ck $ for new ones just replaced one for a buddy on his bonneville can you say $14 for advance auto I just about flipped when they told me the price----good luck

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