discolored brake fluid
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 87
Likes: 16
From: Midway Ga
discolored brake fluid
The brakes on my 92 started acting up this weekend. The pedal felt spongy after driving a while and then the brake light on the dash came on when the brake pedal was pushed. I checked the fluid when I got home and found it was very dark like the color of coffee. The previous owner replaced all the pads calipers and lines last Sept. What would have caused the fluid to get dark like that? I would have assumed that the brake system would have been flushed and purged when all that work was done. I am planning on draining and flushing the entire system next weekend. What is a good brand\type of fluid to use? I am a little leery of using crappy fluid in this car.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Canton Ohio
brake fluid
change to stainless braided brake lines , speedbleeders , then flush entire brake circuits , beginning with left front so you can see how many pedal pumps , then x2 , for the rest , just dont run reservior near empty ......... I learned this on my beemr 2 wheeler , what a difference ........ on both the vert and the beemr .
btw I used valvoline syn 3&4 fluid ....... adv auto parts , used most of 32oz.
total system . I still use my spiegler (bike) bleed bag so I can see the diff in color old fluid to new , Ill be bleeding yearly now. my beemr I always did ....... brake fluid attracts(?) moisture very rapidly ....its so easy once speedbleeders are installed .
btw I used valvoline syn 3&4 fluid ....... adv auto parts , used most of 32oz.total system . I still use my spiegler (bike) bleed bag so I can see the diff in color old fluid to new , Ill be bleeding yearly now. my beemr I always did ....... brake fluid attracts(?) moisture very rapidly ....its so easy once speedbleeders are installed .
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I use Castrol SRF myself. I had a problem with the brake fluid boiling when I autocrossed and SRF has NEVER boiled on me. I have heard that Motul is good and the Ford Motorsports brake fluid is cheap, but I don't want to mess with success. You will be shocked at the price...
I was buying it from Doug Rippie for $89 per liter (metal can), but it's now available for much less if you shop around. Google is your friend.
I was buying it from Doug Rippie for $89 per liter (metal can), but it's now available for much less if you shop around. Google is your friend.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,867
Likes: 3
From: Pasadena Maryland
When you bleed the brakes don't forget the ABS unit behind the drivers seat. It has a line that comes from the master cylinder reservoir. The manual says to put a pressure pot on the master cylinder to bleed out the ABS unit. I used a Vacuum pump and got lot's of air out of mine (93 Coupe)
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 48
From: San Marcos CA
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
You have to ask specifically for it.Brake fluid SHOULD be changed annually, but how many of us do it? You'd think something as important as brakes we would. Marco's fluid was black and rancid. Changed it out with gravity method.....furthest to nearest.
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