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Brake Fluid Flush Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Wed, 9 Apr 2003 07:33:31
In Reply to: Changing brake fluid ???, mark, Wed, 9 Apr 2003 00:46:30 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Brake fluid should be changed every 2 years, three at most. Brake fluid absorbs water from the air, and that water can corrode the VERY expensive brake parts from the inside. Even with the cap on tight, air still gets in as the levels rise and drop. By flushing the fluid, you eliminate the water. You also eliminate the glop which is a combination of the water and anything it attacks inside the system. Also, some air always creeps in, and since air compresses, this gives you a softer pedal feel, which isn't good. So, bottom line, have it replaced every 2-3 years.
And I'm going to guess that the guy before you didn't do it just before selling the car.
How is it done? You suck what you can out the reservoir. You then pour in fresh, and preferably use a pressure bleeder to pressurize the reservoir. You then open the bleeder nipple at a wheel, and wait until the fluid runs clean. Close, and go onto the next wheel. You need to keep the reservoir level from dropping too low, and keep it pressurized. It usually takes between 1 and 2 liters.
You can do it without a pressure bleeder, but I don't recommend it. Not only does it take much longer, I don't think it works nearly as well.
Unless you want to buy or build a pressure bleeder ($20-$50), I recommend you get a decent garage to do it. It should run about $50, which is MUCH less than the cost of a new ABS system.
The perferred fluid is a good quality DOT 4 brake fluid. DO NOT use DOT 5 - it isn't compatible - higher isn't better - and don't use DOT 3.
Many folks like some of the fancier ones like Red Line, but I use good old Castrol. Some other ones may be a little better - higher boiling points, etc. But I don't think they're necessary. Under normal driving conditions, the stock brake system is sized just fine, and there is no danger of boiling the brake fluid. That happens when you put a car on a racetrack, and are doing threshold braking every 20-50 seconds or so from very high speeds. Drive that way on regular roads, and boiling brake fluid will be the least of your worries. I would stick with a good brand name (Castrol, Valvoline, etc.) DOT 4.
You can get colored brake fluid, so you know when a line is fully flushed, as the color changes. Frankly, I never have a problem seeing this, as the difference in color between old and new brake fluid is pretty startling.
posted by 192.249....
, Wed, 9 Apr 2003 07:33:31 <-- Viewing This Message
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