Brake Fluid Discoloration
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 633
From: perth western australia
Assuming your brakes are OK now ?
Looks like water has gotten into the rear bowl , I would be planning on flushing all that crap out of the rear system . But being your brakes , I would do the front as well , just because that fluid looks OLD . Before I started I would check the condition of all four rubber hoses and if the they look old I would buy new ones so there ready to go on when you start. Also how does the master cylinder car seal look ? If its all swollen then a new one of them as well. This is assuming your brakes still work fine .
Looks like water has gotten into the rear bowl , I would be planning on flushing all that crap out of the rear system . But being your brakes , I would do the front as well , just because that fluid looks OLD . Before I started I would check the condition of all four rubber hoses and if the they look old I would buy new ones so there ready to go on when you start. Also how does the master cylinder car seal look ? If its all swollen then a new one of them as well. This is assuming your brakes still work fine .
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
Assuming your brakes are OK now ?
Looks like water has gotten into the rear bowl , I would be planning on flushing all that crap out of the rear system . But being your brakes , I would do the front as well , just because that fluid looks OLD . Before I started I would check the condition of all four rubber hoses and if the they look old I would buy new ones so there ready to go on when you start. Also how does the master cylinder car seal look ? If its all swollen then a new one of them as well. This is assuming your brakes still work fine .
Looks like water has gotten into the rear bowl , I would be planning on flushing all that crap out of the rear system . But being your brakes , I would do the front as well , just because that fluid looks OLD . Before I started I would check the condition of all four rubber hoses and if the they look old I would buy new ones so there ready to go on when you start. Also how does the master cylinder car seal look ? If its all swollen then a new one of them as well. This is assuming your brakes still work fine .
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I think to rebuild the entire brake system.....hoses, eliminate that brake light switch/prop valve so it's called, get a fresh master cyl, and on all the calipers, pull them apart and see the stainless linings, IF the bores are rusted/pitted, replace the calipers......when done, finish up with DOT 5 fluid......it is silicone bases and will not absorb water, dot 3-4 fluid is hydroscopic as hell.....absorbs water, easy mix.....
when you replace/rebuild the calipers, get the O ring pistons and change over, they are much better....
obviously pads as necessary.......
when you replace/rebuild the calipers, get the O ring pistons and change over, they are much better....
obviously pads as necessary.......
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 57
Likes: 3
Brakes are working.
Pretty sure the fluid hasn't been changed in a couple years.
Master cylinder is in good shape.
I believe the brake callipers need to be rebuilt as they are sweating - not sure if this could lead to the contamination.
I think I'll remove the fluid (turkey baster style) and replace it with new fluid until I can get it to a mechanic.
Thanks for the replies!
Pretty sure the fluid hasn't been changed in a couple years.
Master cylinder is in good shape.
I believe the brake callipers need to be rebuilt as they are sweating - not sure if this could lead to the contamination.
I think I'll remove the fluid (turkey baster style) and replace it with new fluid until I can get it to a mechanic.
Thanks for the replies!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 633
From: perth western australia
Brakes are working.
Pretty sure the fluid hasn't been changed in a couple years.
Master cylinder is in good shape.
I believe the brake callipers need to be rebuilt as they are sweating - not sure if this could lead to the contamination.
I think I'll remove the fluid (turkey baster style) and replace it with new fluid until I can get it to a mechanic.
Thanks for the replies!
Pretty sure the fluid hasn't been changed in a couple years.
Master cylinder is in good shape.
I believe the brake callipers need to be rebuilt as they are sweating - not sure if this could lead to the contamination.
I think I'll remove the fluid (turkey baster style) and replace it with new fluid until I can get it to a mechanic.
Thanks for the replies!
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 529
Likes: 113
From: Texas
Brakes are working.
Pretty sure the fluid hasn't been changed in a couple years.
Master cylinder is in good shape.
I believe the brake callipers need to be rebuilt as they are sweating - not sure if this could lead to the contamination.
I think I'll remove the fluid (turkey baster style) and replace it with new fluid until I can get it to a mechanic.
Thanks for the replies!
Pretty sure the fluid hasn't been changed in a couple years.
Master cylinder is in good shape.
I believe the brake callipers need to be rebuilt as they are sweating - not sure if this could lead to the contamination.
I think I'll remove the fluid (turkey baster style) and replace it with new fluid until I can get it to a mechanic.
Thanks for the replies!
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b...6231635?pos=15
Last edited by Gunfighter13; Oct 5, 2019 at 08:36 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Get some DOT 5.1 fluid not DOT 5. Make sure you flush out all that fluid. You may need to replace the cap seal on your master cylinder.
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b...6231635?pos=15
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b...6231635?pos=15
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,221
Likes: 9,359
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Make sure using DOT 5 wont void any warranty on your cuurent master or calipers. They ones I just bought said use only 3 or 4
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Oct 6, 2019 at 09:19 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Given the good condition of the MC, I’d just flush with new DOT 4 brake fluid. If your calipers are leaking, attend to that too. Might be wise to have a good look at your brake lines for any signs f rust.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Using a turkey baster is a good idea, however, DO NOT remove all the fluid. Leave a little at the bottom. If you don't, you will introduce air bubble into the MC and have to remove the MC from the vehicle and "bench bleed" it. (You will never get the last bubble out of the MC if it runs dry) Then add new fluid.
Stick with DOT3. Even the newer cars 2014-15-16 use DOT3. And it IS available in a silicone. Switching from DOT3 to a 5 will just create more grief for you.
Stick with DOT3. Even the newer cars 2014-15-16 use DOT3. And it IS available in a silicone. Switching from DOT3 to a 5 will just create more grief for you.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
Silicone based DOT5 is NOT compatible with the other brake fluids, and cannot be used in antilock brake systems. It aerates, becoming useless for stopping. The best use for DOT5 brake fluid is in a car that is driven very infrequently. It is not hydroscopic, meaning it doesn’t attract water, why it is good for vehicle mostly stored.
For a Corvette, or any car for that matter, one should buy the fluid with the highest boiling point possible. I like Wilwood 600 Plus Super Hi-Temp Racing Brake Fluid. In my experience, driving in the Sierra Nevada foothills, it does not boil like typical auto parts store brake fluid.