Brake fluid question...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,251
Likes: 4
Brake fluid question...
Two years ago I changed the brake fluid and used the "Valvoline Synpower, synthetic dot3 and dot4." Today I checked the resevoir and it was dark and milky at the bottom(clear on top). It looked like oil water mixed. I changed it out again but what would cause it to go south in just two years. Is there a preferred brake fluid? But most important, is there any damage from fluid like that? And finally, how do I change the fluid in the ABS system?
TIA
TIA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,913
Likes: 1,867
From: Hot Springs AR
Definitely sounds like water got into it. When you changed the fluid out the first time, did you flush the lines and calipers?
Also, the fluid needs to be flushed out every 2 years anyway.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Also, the fluid needs to be flushed out every 2 years anyway.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,913
Likes: 1,867
From: Hot Springs AR
Sorry, I didn't read the rest of your questions.
Valvoline Synpower is a great street/autocross fluid. The damage will come from corrosion from the water absorbed in the fluid. Did you use a freshly bought container of brake fluid 2 years ago? Brake fluid absorbs water easily, that's why it has to be changed out every couple of years.
All you have to do to flush the ABS is to flush the system normally. The fluid in the master cylinder reservoir will flow through it normally.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Valvoline Synpower is a great street/autocross fluid. The damage will come from corrosion from the water absorbed in the fluid. Did you use a freshly bought container of brake fluid 2 years ago? Brake fluid absorbs water easily, that's why it has to be changed out every couple of years.
All you have to do to flush the ABS is to flush the system normally. The fluid in the master cylinder reservoir will flow through it normally.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,251
Likes: 4
I always buy a new bottle of fluid. That's why I am surprised it changed so dramatically. Does the ABS system hold any amount of fluid? Does it cycle thru the the resevoir? Can I rid the old crud from the ABS before it contaminates the new fluid?
Lots of questions here.
Thanks.
Lots of questions here.
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,913
Likes: 1,867
From: Hot Springs AR
The fluid in the ABS will flush out, except for possibly a very small amount trapped in the pistons; it's designed to allow fluid to flow through.
So, if you suck all the bad stuff out of the reservoir, swish some new fluid around the sides of the tank to clean it out (I use an old style battery bulb from AutoZone, $3), then bleed the brakes till the fluid is clean, you'll have minimal old stuff left.
If you just suck out the old and refill, the new stuff will be contaminated quickly.
Hope that answered most of your questions.
Mike
So, if you suck all the bad stuff out of the reservoir, swish some new fluid around the sides of the tank to clean it out (I use an old style battery bulb from AutoZone, $3), then bleed the brakes till the fluid is clean, you'll have minimal old stuff left.
If you just suck out the old and refill, the new stuff will be contaminated quickly.
Hope that answered most of your questions.
Mike
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,251
Likes: 4
Mike,
I flushed the lines with about 44 ounces of new fluid after bleeding all the old stuff out thru the calipers. I did not want to risk getting air in the lines. It looks clean again from top to bottom. I'm glad to find out the ABS will be flushed at the same time. I'll check it next spring and see how it looks.
Matt
I flushed the lines with about 44 ounces of new fluid after bleeding all the old stuff out thru the calipers. I did not want to risk getting air in the lines. It looks clean again from top to bottom. I'm glad to find out the ABS will be flushed at the same time. I'll check it next spring and see how it looks.
Matt
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,869
Likes: 2
From: San Diego CA
Two questions:
Is this hard to do???
If it needs to be done every 2 years, why is it not listed in the owner's manual???
I'm asking out of ignorance because I've been told that I need to change the fluid in my 01 Aurora. Do most people who aren't racing change their brake fluid every other year?
Is this hard to do???
If it needs to be done every 2 years, why is it not listed in the owner's manual???
I'm asking out of ignorance because I've been told that I need to change the fluid in my 01 Aurora. Do most people who aren't racing change their brake fluid every other year?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by drcoffee
Mike,
I flushed the lines with about 44 ounces of new fluid after bleeding all the old stuff out thru the calipers. I did not want to risk getting air in the lines. It looks clean again from top to bottom. I'm glad to find out the ABS will be flushed at the same time. I'll check it next spring and see how it looks.
Matt
I flushed the lines with about 44 ounces of new fluid after bleeding all the old stuff out thru the calipers. I did not want to risk getting air in the lines. It looks clean again from top to bottom. I'm glad to find out the ABS will be flushed at the same time. I'll check it next spring and see how it looks.
Matt
If you see the same thing next spring I would change over to Superblue by ATE. Thsi is a favorite of the German car crowd for a combination of price, moisture resistance, and high wet and dry boiling points. I have been using since I get the car in 2000.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
Originally Posted by VetteDrmr
The fluid in the ABS will flush out, except for possibly a very small amount trapped in the pistons; it's designed to allow fluid to flow through.
So, if you suck all the bad stuff out of the reservoir, swish some new fluid around the sides of the tank to clean it out (I use an old style battery bulb from AutoZone, $3), then bleed the brakes till the fluid is clean, you'll have minimal old stuff left.
If you just suck out the old and refill, the new stuff will be contaminated quickly.
Hope that answered most of your questions.
Mike
So, if you suck all the bad stuff out of the reservoir, swish some new fluid around the sides of the tank to clean it out (I use an old style battery bulb from AutoZone, $3), then bleed the brakes till the fluid is clean, you'll have minimal old stuff left.
If you just suck out the old and refill, the new stuff will be contaminated quickly.
Hope that answered most of your questions.
Mike
I just had my fluid changed as part of a switch to SS brake lines. You can get some condensation as your pads wear down and there is more room in the reservoir that may affect the fluid. Mike's tips are really good as the cleaner it is the better. 
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I have used the Valvoline without problems for years in my other cars. The Vette just got the ATE Super Blue. Never ran into what you have and it is very very humid where I live.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
I thought I read some place that the corvette PBR brakes with the AH should not be filled with synthetic fluid??
I think that mixture you discribe is the water / brakefluid that may have boilded a few times.
My guess would be it is time to fully flush the brake fluid out of the brake lines, abs units and the resivour. That would take about a full quart to quart and 1/2. Plus refilling up the lines and tank about another quart.
I very good DOT 4 fluid would do the trick. Ford HD is a Fav of auto-x ers. Superblue/gold is another. Personally I am not found of this one as I have boilded a few times. Wilwood, Moturl, are Castrol SRF are three other fluids. Most brake fluid is realitively inexpecsive except the Castrol SRF at $60-$65 / quart. I do use the Castrol now and found it to with stand all kinds of very hard brakeing and without brake fade. SO the higher cost was minor in the long run.
I think that mixture you discribe is the water / brakefluid that may have boilded a few times.
My guess would be it is time to fully flush the brake fluid out of the brake lines, abs units and the resivour. That would take about a full quart to quart and 1/2. Plus refilling up the lines and tank about another quart.
I very good DOT 4 fluid would do the trick. Ford HD is a Fav of auto-x ers. Superblue/gold is another. Personally I am not found of this one as I have boilded a few times. Wilwood, Moturl, are Castrol SRF are three other fluids. Most brake fluid is realitively inexpecsive except the Castrol SRF at $60-$65 / quart. I do use the Castrol now and found it to with stand all kinds of very hard brakeing and without brake fade. SO the higher cost was minor in the long run.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Vestal NY
I just changed to ate superblue last month and am happy with the results. Just finished 2 day scca event at watkins glen and zero brake fade. Spoke with other drivers and they will run several events throughout the year on the same ate fluid. 