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Message started by Serowbot on 04/06/17 at 09:42:44

Title: DOT4... and water contamination
Post by Serowbot on 04/06/17 at 09:42:44

This is relatively new to me... I mean I know you get a little water in the lines over time, etc.,... but now, you are supposed to only use DOT4 from an unopened container and I suppose, throw the remainder away.

What a waste,.. not to mention environmental consequences...
How much of an issue do you think this is?...
Have I been blind for 40 years?...
I've always kept a bottle in my shop for top-ups.
If this is the case,.. they should start selling it in 2oz bubble packets or something. :-/
Any thoughts?.... :-?
They even sell these water testers...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Practical-Electronic-Brake-Fluid-Liquid-Tester-Pen-for-DOT3-DOT4-Auto-Car-Vehicl/302217616891?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131017132637%26meid%3D8743ce03ebc8464491f6a8fa2e81b8b3%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D302217616891
http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/HDUAAOSwLF1X5Ncg/s-l1600.jpg

Title: Re: DOT4... and water contamination
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 04/06/17 at 09:47:46

I always keep the remaining amount on my shelf...until I need to use brake fluid...and then I buy a new bottle because the one on the shelf is two years old.

Like you, I keep the remaining for potential top off's, but the truth is on our motorcycles that have a sealed reservoir, if you need to add fluid you probably need to repair a leak first.

Title: Re: DOT4... and water contamination
Post by Dave on 04/06/17 at 10:41:32

I buy Brake Fluid in quart containers, and I keep the lid on when it is on the shelf. Most of the time when I put on new pads, I just go ahead and flush the brake fluid at the same time. A quart of brake fluid doesn't last me all that long, and when I open the bottle it is still very clear.....and generally the stuff that comes out of the brake system is getting a bit yellow and cloudy after a 2-3 years in the bike.

So.....I don't use a new bottle each time - but my brake fluid bottle is always less than a year old.

Title: Re: DOT4... and water contamination
Post by verslagen1 on 04/06/17 at 12:10:26

I buy the synDot4 in pints. takes 1/2, and it's not sitting around so long.

Title: Re: DOT4... and water contamination
Post by Ruttly on 04/06/17 at 12:12:36

Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the atmosphere so buy small bottles, pour what you need and put cap on immediately and snug it. Master cylinders caps are vented , ain't no fixing that. The silicone brake fluids absorb moisture slower and are better at stopping rust/corrosion but aren't as good with heat as standard fluid.

Title: Re: DOT4... and water contamination
Post by jcstokes on 04/06/17 at 16:19:24

I used some in my Camry recently, that had been in a sealed bottle for some years, didn't seem to hurt things.
This doesn't apply to S40 owners where you can buy new brake components, but don't use silicone fluid in wheel or master cylinders that have been re sleeved. It finds it's way out.

Title: Re: DOT4... and water contamination
Post by pg on 04/06/17 at 19:37:06

Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the atmosphere

I have read the internal components of the brake system can rust once the oil brake is 5 or more years old. Is that correct?

Best regards,

Title: Re: DOT4... and water contamination
Post by Ruttly on 04/06/17 at 21:15:39

That is correct ,when dark or cloudy it needs changed.

Title: Re: DOT4... and water contamination
Post by Dave on 04/07/17 at 04:29:57

When I bought my 2002 ST1100, the fluid in the brake and clutch reservoir looked a bit orange, and the front brake lever moved a bit erratic. I removed the lever and cleaned and greased the pivot point...not much of a change. I flushed the brake fluid out......and the brake became nice and smooth. The old fluid was definitely cloudy and tinted orange.......I am guessing it had 15 year old brake fluid in there! (I also changed the fluid in the clutch and rear brake).

Title: Re: DOT4... and water contamination
Post by Papa Bear on 04/07/17 at 05:55:14

If everything is sealed then the brake fluid will be good.
All fluid has "some" water in it.
I worked at Chrysler Canada as a Pipefitter in the 1960's and spent some time working the "tank farm" - that is where the storage tanks were located by the railway tracks near the plant. There was tanks for brake fluid, motor oil, transmission fluid, anti-freeze etc.
I remember each rail tank car with brake fluid had a sample sent up to the engineering lab to test for the amount of water in the fluid before off-loading it - a certain amount of water was acceptable ( I forget the cut-off value).
Modern master cylinders and calipers are sealed, there is no need to remove the top of the cylinder as we can see through the sightglass to check level.
I have never changed out brake fluid in almost 60 yrs of driving. Most vehicles were kept 5-10 yrs and one was kept 14 yrs.

Title: Re: DOT4... and water contamination
Post by Ruttly on 04/07/17 at 12:57:39

When I was working at a International dealership I was finding a this messy guey in the master cylinders so I would warranty them for my customers then one day the warranty rep called me and asked why I was replacing so many masters so I told him. The gue was a silicone base type of grease that floated on top of the dot3 brake fluid to keep it from absorbing moisture. Told him that maybe he should send out a field service notice when they do dumb stuff like that !

Whoops !

Title: Re: DOT4... and water contamination
Post by Kris01 on 04/07/17 at 19:29:21

Ruttly, that's hilarious! ;D