> I've got one of the Motive ones, which you can get for about $60.
> Amazon, for example - get the "European" one if you only have Euro
> vehicles. I got a universal one, fits just about anything, but they're
> close to $100 (I think it was $60 when I got it a few years ago. Works
> well. I don't put fluid in it (PITA to clean it out after), but just
> make sure the reservoir stays above minimum (which usually means
> simply
> refilling it after you bleed each corner, while keeping an eye on it).

I love my Motive euro bleeder, but I can't imagine not putting fluid in
it!  Especially when you need to flush or fill an entire system!  I've
had mine for many years now, and the only problem is that the hose had
to be replaced.  I've taken off the euro cap adapter and used other
fittings that I've come up with to adapt to different cars.  I even did
a '62 Beetle!

> If you want to retry a vacuum one, I've heard that putting thick
> grease
> around the outside of the bleeder bolt near the threads can work to
> help
> hold vacuum and prevent air from leaking in there.

Yes, greasing the bleeder threads is KEY to using vacuum bleeders.
That, and don't open them too far.  The looser they fit, the more likely
you are to suck air from the threads.  If it's that hard to pull fluid
with a vacuum bleeder, you probably have a blockage inside the wheel
cylinder or flex hoses are internally-swelled so fluid isn't passing
through.  All this is likely, especially if the system's been neglected
for years.

Mike B.