Motive Products 0250 Universal Brake Bleeder Kit vs OTC Tools 4809 Four Piece One-Man Brake Bleeder Hose Set

The Motive 0250 is the only tool here that holds two quarts of fresh fluid and feeds it into the system under steady, controlled pressure, which is what a fluid change actually requires. The OTC 4809 does not flush anything, but for people who already have a helper or a steady pedal hand, four check-valve hoses solve the air-reentry problem for very little money.

Motive Products 0250 Universal Brake Bleeder Kit

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A 2 quart hand-pumped pressure tank with three adapter caps, which is the closest thing here to a true one-person brake fluid flush.

• Holds two quarts of fresh fluid, so the master cylinder reservoir cannot empty mid-job the way it can with vacuum or pedal bleeding.
• Ships with three adapters that Motive lists for European 45 mm ATE-style caps, round universal necks from 1.5 in to 2.90 in, and rectangular chain-cap masters.
• Motive states the reservoir is chemical resistant for DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 fluid, and the unit is rebuildable with Viton seals and replacement parts.

• Three adapters is not every adapter, and Motive still tells you to check its application guide for your specific cap.
• Motive's own tip for the rectangular 1105 chain-cap adapter is to hold it with a C clamp, which tells you how fiddly that adapter is to seal.
• Motive says not to exceed 20 psi unless your service manual specifies otherwise, because higher pressure can damage the vehicle reservoir.

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OTC Tools 4809 Four Piece One-Man Brake Bleeder Hose Set

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Four check-valve hoses that let you open all four bleeders and work the pedal yourself without drawing air back into the system.

• OTC states the check valve on the end of each hose prevents air from entering the brake system when you pump the brake pedal.
• The set includes four of the single No. 4599 hose, so you can set up all four wheels at once instead of walking around the car repeatedly.
• OTC states the hose attaches to the bleeder screw and is held in place by it, which keeps the connection from leaking as you work.

• It removes air, it does not flush: there is no tank of fresh fluid, so you have to keep topping the master cylinder reservoir by hand.
• You are still pumping the pedal, and Motive warns that pushing the pedal past its normal travel can gouge master cylinder seals against a corroded or worn bore.
• No reservoir cap adapter and no fluid capacity are listed, so plan on a separate catch bottle for anything more than a quick bleed.

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Side by side

The bottom line

Our overall pick is the Motive Products 0250 Universal Brake Bleeder Kit - A 2 quart hand-pumped pressure tank with three adapter caps, which is the closest thing here to a true one-person brake fluid flush. Choose the OTC Tools 4809 Four Piece One-Man Brake Bleeder Hose Set instead if a DIYer doing an occasional bleed after a caliper or hose change who does not want to buy a pressure tank.

Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Brake Bleeders: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).