dbhajek

What do you all think the shelf life a new never open can of ATE super blue?

Thanks

CHJ In Virginia

As long as the can was never opened, it really does not matter how old it is. If opened, water absorbtion from the air could be a problem.

StealthLT4

unopened = virtually forever (I'd probably toss it after 5 years or so)
opened = about 2 weeks

CodeBlack

I contacted Castrol regarding this topic they said that they do have an expiration date but I forgot what it is. Contact the tech department of the fluid you use.

dbhajek

Thanks Guys

magnetic1

You do realize the stock reservoir is not a sealed system right? Do you flush your brake fluid every 2 weeks?

Aardwolf

I remember reading about shelf life and oil. I think it was an engine oil article. I want to say it didn't want you to leave it on the shelf more then two years.

Opened brake fluid gains around 3.5% moisture per year.

A quick example, Wilwood Hi-temp unopened 570, 3 months-499, 6 months-427.

Source: http://evilplastic.com/bfluid.htm

IMO if the seal is good I don't see an open can gaining a lot of moisture!

Sidney004

At this rate, my 10 year old beater Saturn(guaranteed original brake fluid) has got a dry boiling point of....212

trackboss

m/c reservoir is not sealed. It is vented. Otherwise the brakes would not work properly.

StealthLT4

That all makes sense, I'm just relaying what I've heard as far as using opened brake fluid containers. Actually, you've prompted me to look into it further...hmm...

drivinhard

The metal cans vs plastic probably make a difference.

I finished off some ATE cans (metal) I bought in 2002 this past year.

I have never trusted the plastic stuff to last a long time.

USA1C5

I emailed ATE about this same issue about a year ago approx. and this is the reply I got:

Life expectancy:

All Brake Fluids
With temps between -20 C and 40 C up to 5 years in the initially closed tins.
* once opened, use within 1 year

Brake Cylinder Paste
With temps between 0 C and 40 C: 3 years

Plastilube
With temps up to 40 C: max 2 years

Datecodes on the product:

Brake Fluid Container: Day it was filled marked as day XXX plus year Y, e.g. 0787 = 78th day of 2007

Brake Cylinder Paste: Stocking period max, e.g. 09/09 = max September 2009



ATE Tech Support
800-265-1818

USA1C5

About my post above.

I havn't figured out their date codes yet.

John Shiels

John Shiels

Castrol SRF went from metal to plastic containers a few years back I guess it's $$$$$$

the blur

and what happens when you take ATE from that nice metal can, and pour it into a plastic reservoir under your hood ??

CodeBlack

If you look at my post that's not my quote.

froggy47

I just used some that was dated xxx2 so I guess that's 2002.

Seems ok.

Metal can with a plastic pull tab seal.