This past weekend I was replacing the brake fluid that I suspect the previous owner never bothered to change out because it was pure black. My guess the fluid could be 20 years old! With my assistant pumping the brakes while I handle the bleeder screw at each wheel dumping old fluid in a jar and filling the master cylinder reservoir with new fluid, we managed to replace all the old stuff. This took a while to accomplish, then I look at the master cylinder reservoir and inside it still looks cruddy with the fluid at a darker tint then what came out of the bottle. So my question……How do you flush the out the system with better results?!?!

BTW - car is a 300D turbo

Richard

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

What you did was a great improvement no doubt. I've found that an easy way to clean the reservior is to remove it & fill it with alcohol, then thoroughly dry it. Unfortunately, that takes more fluid & should be done first.
My 2 cents, Paul.

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1984 300CD red/blk 290,000 partial resto
1980 240D 4 sp Brn/palomino gone
1997 Mazda Miata STO edition wife's baby
1988 Lincoln Mark VII LSC next resto
1986 Subaru GL wagon daily
1993 Isuzu pickup field beater
2008 Honda Civic EX-L 5sp wife's new car
1978 Honda XL350
1974 Honda XL70 my Calif. ride in HS

Use a Mityvac and you could do it yourself.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

Most likely the reservoir has 2 compartments, the front isn't accessible because there is a partition across the center so if there's gunk in it its impossible to wipe the front section out so you might as well replace the reservoir and have a nice looking one for around $55

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

I put mine in the dishwasher. It will get into the nooks and crannies. I replaced both mine and my wife's fluid and cleaned both the reservoirs this way and it gets them looking like brand new inside and out.

Beware if you have a dishwasher that has a heating element in the bottom. It will melt the reservoir. Also don't forget to dry it completely because otherwise the brake fluid will absorb the water.

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Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI

I haven't checked pricing in a while but I think I'd opt for a new one before sticking it in the dishwasher. Brake fluid is some pretty caustic stuff, it can eat through paint and you're putting it in with the dishes you eat off of (even if in the next cycle).

My 83's reservoir looked like swamp water when I got it, sucked the fluid out several times and it still looks good to this day.

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Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k