Does anyone know if our brake bleeder valves come with some sort of dry sealant on the threads? I looked at some aftermarket valves at a auto parts store and none of them had any type of coating but Buss95max said his replacement had some sort of grey coating and don't know if this is some sort of paint or really a sealant?

My valves weeped some fluid after I pushed the dust caps back on as if the little bit of air/fluid in the nipple was forced out the hole inside the bleeder valve and back out through the threads. If fluid can get out, shouldn't water be able to get in to the seating face? Maybe this is acceptable as long as it doesn't pentrate the seating face into the brake cylinder. If new valves come with a sealant, this may prevent this but I can't imagine that any type of sealant would last long the first time the valve would be unscrewed/screwed or in the presence of the brake fluid which seems to atack most anything.

Any comments?

 

If you are that concerned, you can buy some sealant at www.speedbleeder.com. They have 1/2 oz for $10. Their relatively low cost speedbleeders do have some sealant material on them but they say that after repeated bleedings, the stuff may wear off.

"The thread sealant is now available in 1/2 oz. bottles so that you can replace the sealant that has worn off over time. It comes in a plastic bottle with a brush cap applicator. It is available for $10.00 and can be used in many other situations where a quality pre-applied pipe sealant is required. A little goes a long way."

I think though that if the bleeder were actually leaking via thumb press to the nipple, that if it were truly a problem, you would definitely be loosing brake fluid with the pressure that is generated. If you are not loosing brake fluid, or your brakes aren't getting mushy, I wouldn't worry about it.