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I was just wondering, whenever I visit any site it says pump the brake pedal three times then keep pressing it, what is the actual benefit of pumping it? And why not just press down the brake pedal and then open the bleeder screw without pumping?

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  • I never "pump" it. but then now I use a vacuum bleeder too.
    – Zero
    Commented Jun 18, 2016 at 19:39
  • @Zero if we aren't using a vacuum bleeder, why do they pump it?
    – user3407319
    Commented Jun 18, 2016 at 19:41
  • maybe just to kinda exercise it and move things around to get it going easier? not sure
    – Zero
    Commented Jun 18, 2016 at 19:42

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You need to have positive pressure in the brake lines to get rid of any air; the pumping ensures you've built up enough pressure. And if the other sites you've read didn't mention it, you repeat the process (pump, hold, loosen bleeder valve while maintaining pressure on the pedal, close bleeder valve) until a solid stream of brake fluid comes out; that is the sign all the air is gone. And you can definitely tell the difference by the sound of the fluid coming out.

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  • if you just press the brake pedal till its end, won't that make enough pressure?
    – user3407319
    Commented Jun 19, 2016 at 15:41
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    Nope. I've seen fellow auto-shop classmates try it, and no substitute for pumping. Sure there is some reason, but I know it works best.
    – Mark Stewart
    Commented Jun 19, 2016 at 19:56
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In past experiences I've found that intially pumping the pedal at the start was all I've ever needed and from there on only 1 push of the pedal is needed. The reason why is because when you repeatedly pump the brakes your taking that single air bubble and causing it to break up into many bubbles that must travel to the bleeder. Ultimately when it's all said and done I still prefer gravity bleeding starting at the left rear then right, then right front then the left. Takes a little longer but the advantages are you won't need someone to pump/hold the pedal and no chance of air accidentally being sucked back by late closing of bleeder when pedal is released.

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