Shop built pressure bleeder question

A little while back, after seeing a fella on youtube had built his own pressure bleeder, I went ahead and built one for myself. The problem I ran into though was that the cap I used (from another scrapped Impala of same year) would not hold any pressure. Just wondered if anybody else out there had tried to do this project and how you made out to get the cap on the reservoir to hold any pressure.

how much psi are you trying?

how much psi are you trying?

I haven't checked any data yet..but was thinking no more than 15. Would only be doing one wheel at a time.

I haven't checked any data yet..but was thinking no more than 15. Would only be doing one wheel at a time.

I would think 10-15 psi is right. I don't know where your pressure leak is i.e. around the lid rim or the fitting. if the lid rim maybe you could find a jar seal that size or use plumbers Teflon tape on the treads.

I would think 10-15 psi is right. I don't know where your pressure leak is i.e. around the lid rim or the fitting. if the lid rim maybe you could find a jar seal that size or use plumbers Teflon tape on the treads.

Yes, its around the lid rim. I seen a small groove molded into the lid, possibly for pressure relief, I put some silicone into it to fill that gap and also cut a gasket from a sheet of cork I had but it didn't help to hold any pressure.

I am thinking of cutting out a plate of aluminum and look in the plumbing department for some sort of plug that I could fit onto the plate, then just clamp it onto the reservoir with some small chain. Would like to get something like the cone shaped rubber stopper that is in my Mityvac kit.

If I get this to work, I will also try to fashion up an adapter for Caravans and Freestars.

I think you have a credible idea but if you are doing several different vehicles there are power bleeders out there. A little on the high side if your only doing 1 or two cars/trucks. I saw a kit years ago that you would use your driver side tire for the pressure with a gage in the hose going to a bottle upside down with new brake fluid and the fitting from the hose in bottom of the bottle (which has become the top) and the two caps fastened top to top with another fitting. You could adjust the pressure with the gage or valve. I do not recall how it hooked up to the tire Schrader valve. I'll see if I can find that again, that forum has gone through some changes. pm if you want the name...

That tire pressure thing is interesting, amazing the things that people can contrive given enough thought!
I work at a cab company servicing the fleet, a long in the tooth apprentice actually, looking for ways to service the cars better and not cost the small company too much in the process. The fleet is 95% Impalas and the rest being Caravans and Freestars. So only will be needing to make adapters for those. The cap for the Impalas is not a screw down type, but rather, it has four tangs the a 1/4 turn of the cap locks it in place. So I think you would either have to fashion a center piece that fit under the cap and went down into the neck of the reservoir with maybe an O ring to make a seal, or this clamp down type of thing I mentioned. I don't have access or ability to machine myself something on a lathe that would do the trick, so clamp down method wins..lol. Not to mention just plain simpler.

I hope you find a way to create what you desire for your shop.