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Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: My S1 on Monday,August 28, 2023, 01:19:18 PM

Title: S1 Solo Brake Bleed Valves
Post by: My S1 on Monday,August 28, 2023, 01:19:18 PM
Has anyone found a set of self Bleeding brake valves for the S1?  I would like to use Earl's Solo Bleed Valves but of course they don't list Lotus models.  Am I correct that the nipples are 3/8" x 24 threads?

Also, what is the latest thinking on the best brake fluid brands?
Title: Re: S1 Solo Brake Bleed Valves
Post by: SilverBeast on Monday,August 28, 2023, 01:50:48 PM
Gunson's EeziBleed uses spare tyre to pressurise system via an extra reservoir and and the master cylinder. You can then use the standard bleed nipples to control the rate it bleeds through.

https://www.gunsonshop.com/contents/en-us/p228_G4062-Gunson-Eezibleed-Brake-Bleeding-Kit.html (https://www.gunsonshop.com/contents/en-us/p228_G4062-Gunson-Eezibleed-Brake-Bleeding-Kit.html)
Title: Re: S1 Solo Brake Bleed Valves
Post by: jbcollier on Monday,August 28, 2023, 03:21:31 PM
S1s have a single circuit.  Bleeding is ridiculously easy.  First bleed the master by making a short outlet line that goes into the reservoir.  It can even be rubber hose.  Hook up the brake line.  Go to farthest bleed nipple.  Put a length of hose on it that flows into a container.  Open the bleeder. Pump the brakes 10 times.  Close the bleeder.  Refill the brake fluid reservoir.  Repeat for the next closet, etc, until you have done them all.  Repeat but just do 3 pumps this time.  You brakes are bled.
Title: Re: S1 Solo Brake Bleed Valves
Post by: My S1 on Tuesday,August 29, 2023, 11:27:19 AM
John, I understand how to do the job after fifty some years of bleeding brakes on all sorts of cars...I'm just wondering if you or any of our fellow enthusiast have run across a set of self bleeding nipples?  I'm not getting anywhere with Earl's or the internet.

What is your professional recommendation on fluid brands?
Title: Re: S1 Solo Brake Bleed Valves
Post by: jbcollier on Tuesday,August 29, 2023, 09:32:01 PM
Never fussed much about brand just as long as it was DOT 3, 4 or 5.1 from a new, sealed container.  I guess I mostly used DOT 4 these days as that's what my moderns take.
Title: Re: S1 Solo Brake Bleed Valves
Post by: My S1 on Friday,September 08, 2023, 05:19:14 PM
Earl's Solo Bleeds...works like a champ.  # 280033ERL
Title: Re: S1 Solo Brake Bleed Valves
Post by: Bryan Boyle on Friday,September 08, 2023, 06:42:00 PM
+1 for the Gunson EZ-Bleed.  Did the (admittedly complex) twin cam (I know you have a single circuit brake set-up) after redoing the calipers and rear brakes twice around (just to make sure) in less than 20 minutes...no pedal pumping: screw on the cap, fill the bottle with fresh fluid and put cap with hoses on, hook up to a tire at 20 PSI...go to the furthest cylinder and work your way back.  You're done in 10 minutes (assuming your car is up on stands and wheels off...just getting it to that point will take more than bleeding with this gadget.)

If it's just you doing it...makes it a no-stress procedure.

Just my $.03