Airheart Brake Bleeding

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REAR
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Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2007 10:19 am

Re: Airheart Brake Bleeding

Post by REAR » Tue Apr 06, 2021 9:03 pm

If you are attempting to push the caliper piston deeper down into the caliper make sure you remove the master cylinder fill cap first. Watch for overflow at the master cylinder with the cap off as you push the piston down in the caliper. Better get some rags or paper towels handy, just in case.

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ted johnson
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Re: Airheart Brake Bleeding

Post by ted johnson » Wed Apr 07, 2021 9:21 am

Good point, Bob! A baking pan beats a pool of red fluid on the shop floor. Even shoving the piston .025 into the caliper can move more fluid than you think! Ted

Alan Lewis
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Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2020 1:11 am
Vintage Karting items owned: 1967 Bug Sprint Kart with MAC 91-C
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Re: Airheart Brake Bleeding

Post by Alan Lewis » Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:35 pm

Was able to find some .001 stainless steel aircraft grade washers locally to shim the two halves from each other. It only took two to get things adjusted properly.

Alan Lewis
Posts: 24
Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2020 1:11 am
Vintage Karting items owned: 1967 Bug Sprint Kart with MAC 91-C
User Agreement: Yes

Re: Airheart Brake Bleeding

Post by Alan Lewis » Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:49 pm

What is the "correct" fluid to use in my brake system? can I use conventional automotive brake fluid? I currently have clear DOT 3 Synthetic in the system but can easily flush it if necessary.

REAR
Posts: 1221
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2007 10:19 am

Re: Airheart Brake Bleeding

Post by REAR » Fri Apr 09, 2021 6:00 am

Alan,

Airheart systems used what is called a 'red' or mineral based fluid. It is used in aircraft and can be found at a company called Aircraft Spruce. They sell pint and quart bottles.

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... ey=7846362

R.E.A.R.

roger santee
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:58 am

Re: Airheart Brake Bleeding

Post by roger santee » Fri Apr 09, 2021 7:30 am

Air heart used both types of fluid. My understanding is they have different seals. I would go with what ever was in it originally.

ted johnson
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Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:59 am

Re: Airheart Brake Bleeding

Post by ted johnson » Fri Apr 09, 2021 9:41 am

With Tolomatic no longer being interested in the kart systems, they no longer sell the seals for the brakes. You must be able to find which fluid the system originally used so you can keep from mixing them. You might get lucky and find rebuild kits for both master cylinder and caliper so you have known seal compounds. A brake seal blowout at speed can be a disaster. The engineering group at MCP now supplies master cylinders and calipers with seals that'll handle multiple fluids. I have at least a quart and a half of Airheart "Red" out in the shop that I will never use. Ted

REAR
Posts: 1221
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2007 10:19 am

Re: Airheart Brake Bleeding

Post by REAR » Fri Apr 09, 2021 3:10 pm

All seals for a rebuild of Airheart systems are available on line or at a 'seal' distributor. You will also be surprised how inexpensive they are.

Just purchased some myself and I got them in Buna rubber and they work great. I was in question about how the seals would react to my fluid of choice so I threw the seals in a glass full of fluid for a day and see if they swell, distort or even melt.

My comments are my personal experience and in no way are a endorsement or recommendation for anything. You are on your own rebuilding brake systems.

R.E.A.R.

ted johnson
Posts: 1685
Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:59 am

Re: Airheart Brake Bleeding

Post by ted johnson » Fri Apr 09, 2021 3:42 pm

Hey, Bob, Pruit went through the master cylinder cup thing a few weeks ago. I know he got several that had the right diameter and material, but the wrong shape. I guess he solved it, but it wasn't simple. I think he ended up turning the piston to fit the cups he found. O rings are oh-so much easier! Ted

Rob Voska
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Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 9:04 am

Re: Airheart Brake Bleeding

Post by Rob Voska » Fri Apr 09, 2021 7:45 pm

It's not an o-ring. If I remember right it's an "X" ring or something like that. Not round. Not square it had corners & low spots in the middle. Think it was for the master cylinders.

Also had a kart with very old fluid in it. It kinda dried out & was sticky / thick. I put as much new fluid in it as possible and blead the brakes & let it sit for a few weeks & came and changed it out again with fresh fluid. After that no problems.

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