Brake Fluid Color

[BenjiBoy650]

What color is it?! Why is every bottle I've ever opened a clear color and the fluid in my car (both in the clutch and brake cylinders) a brownish color, similar to brand new engine oil?

[Inspector1]

Brake fluid should be clear with a goldish/yellow tint to it..... If it is any other color it is contaminated= (don't use).

Benji,
Go look at a new car on the lot and check fluid reservoir and you'll see what I mean.....

It gets dirty usually within 20k-30k miles and should be flushed and changed...
If you have a bottle that has been open and sitting around for very long, throw it out and buy fresh.... Brake fluid absorbs moisture like crazy and the dirt in the moisture...

You can change fluid if you want or leave it.. I have seen vehicles with 200k+ miles that have never been changed.....

As fluid absorbs moisture it lowers the boiling point of Brake Fluid and under heavy load it has an increased chance to fail...


Don't use Dot 5/silicone in anti-lock systems... The rapid pumping action of ABS will make it bubble or foam.. Creating a failure in system..
Dot 4 works just fine...

I1:)

[princess]

It's one of the fluids that used to be always changed at the 30K service, so we still do it then. You can get it out of the reservoir (sp?) with a "turkey baster" thing. Don't dump it down the drain though!

[benjamming]

... and remember that brake fluid eats paint like there's no tomorrow.

[BenjiBoy650]

Thanks for the input. I'll probably flush it soon but not when I change the brake pads because it's so time consuming. Mine is that goldish/yellow tint that you say but it looks very strong.

[princess]

The BEST time to change your fluid IS during a brake change because it squishes the fluid back up into the master cylinder! Gives you the maximum benefit of the change!

[BenjiBoy650]

I thought you are supposed to drain it from the brake line? I don't know I'm just worried that it will take too long.

[princess]

At work we remove all the fluid from the master cylinder reservoir first then with clean fluid bleed the brakes to remove all moisture and contaminates. If the fluid in the master cylinder is changed frequently you really would not need to bleed the lines and at the time that the brake pads are replaced you have almost nothing in the callipers because the pistons are pushed back in, that's why I recommend using a turkey baster to remove the fluid at that time because about 90% of the fluid would get replaced without the need to bleed the system

[BenjiBoy650]

How much fluid is in the brake system? Could I effectively get a lot of it out just by sucking it out of the master cylinder?

[princess]

I think these last 2 posts may have crossed since the one before answered your question. Prince obviously took over & did the reply. He's been so helpful while I was not up to par.

Good luck, BB!

[Bean]

Yeah, I've used P's method before on my other cars.

In fact, last Thanksgiving everyone was commenting on how moist the turkey was. They were asking what my secret was.

I just smiled and said "I'll never tell".
Lucky for them, as I don't think they would really want to know anyway.

[princess]

LOL!!!:wave:

[BenjiBoy650]

Wow I didn't even notice that the Prince posted lol.