Brake fluid question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 176
Likes: 3
From: Princeton NJ
Brake fluid question
I bought my beautiful '08 M6 Z-51 dream car a couple of weeks ago and I'm starting to do some basic maintenance. The clutch fluid was pretty black so I started the Ranger fluid change procedure and that's working fine. I also noticed that the brake fluid is much darker than normal. The car only has 17k miles and I thought that was unusual. Does anyone know what causes this? I guess I need to bleed the brake system and get fresh fluid in there.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
The brake fluid should be changed every 2 years. That is recommended by car enthusiasts, not by GM.
I'm sure you know it's hydroscopic and darkens with age so miles don't mean that much, but could be a factor.
I'm sure you know it's hydroscopic and darkens with age so miles don't mean that much, but could be a factor.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,006
Likes: 245
From: Surprise, Az
If it were my car, I would change all of the fluids and have the engine coolant tested for acidity or just flushed and changed, whatever is easier for you. That way you have a baseline to work with.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 387
From: Fort Worth TX
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
BLACK BRAKE FLUID; I have been doing a lot of reading on the subject and so far have not found a definitive answer...just a lot of opinions. I always thought it was moisture contamination and/or heat but haven't been able to prove it on the work bench. The clutch fluid turns do to clutch dust contamination.
Bottom line; keep an eye on the color of both brake and clutch fluid and change it out when it turns amber (cannot see through it)....do not wait for it to turn black!
Bottom line; keep an eye on the color of both brake and clutch fluid and change it out when it turns amber (cannot see through it)....do not wait for it to turn black!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 176
Likes: 3
From: Princeton NJ
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I echo both Rick and mike esp. since you probably don't know if the rad/coolant has been changed and it has a change cycle of 5 yrs/100K or 150K miles whichever comes first. And time in years has already come and gone.
