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#1
04-12-2007, 09:57 PM
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Funky brake fluid?
I had the water pump in my '85 300D replaced today...old german Mercedes mechanic told me my brake fluid is "contaminated". He said it is some kind of petroleum-based fluid and will eat away at the seals in the system.
I just got this car 2 weeks ago - don't know anything about this fluid in there...what is petroleum-based fluid? Why would someone use it? And, most importantly, can I just flush it out with lots of regular brake fluid? What kind of fluid do folks use here? I have a mityvac so I can do my own brake bleeding. Sorry about so many questions, but I want to take care of this sooner than later if my brake system is in danger.
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Charlie --------------------------- '66 VW 1300 96K miles '97 E300D 239K miles '85 300D 203K miles (sold Sep 2012) 
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#2
04-12-2007, 10:10 PM
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anything Dot 4 rated i believe. I use valvoline i believe(though im to lazy to go to my garage at this time
 ) its DOT 3&4 rated and has worked fine for me
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1983 Euro 240D 277K 2016 Mazda 6 Coming Soon, 2013 Mercedes E350 Bluetec Formers: 2012- Mazda 3 2007 Outlander- complete pile 1995 E300 Diesel 208K 2007 VW Passat 2.0T  63K SOLD2003 Jaguar X-type 3.0 Sport Sold 04/11 w/88K 2009 Lexus RX350 9061 miles. Sold 04/09 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS:Totaled Sept.,09 @ 24,000 2003 Infiniti I35 58K Sold 1984 300 turbo diesel 222K
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#3
04-12-2007, 11:05 PM
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maybe he just wants your money... but I wouldn't risk it. bleed your brakes and replace the fluid. shouldn't cost you much. Does your brake fluid look strange?
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1985 MB 300D/T Fell off the WVO bandwagon when people started trying to charge $2.50 a gallon for dirty vegetable oil.
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#4
04-13-2007, 06:17 AM
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unless the brake fluid is chrystal clear, I would agree to change it. the new dot four synthetic is what i would recommend.
synthetic but not silicone. tom w
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.  [SIGPIC]..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
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#5
04-13-2007, 06:32 AM
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It's a good idea to renew Brake fluid on a regular basis...
Personally, I renew brake fluid on all of my vehicles on an annual basis (more or less)......your Benz will take about a Liter/Quart......I also use Valvoline Synpower Dot 3 & 4.......it's easy, just suck it from your caliper's brake bleeder with your MiteyVac, and most importantly, keep the reservoir topped up as you do this.....I begin at the furthest wheel from the master cylinder......you may get a bit of bleed air from the bleeder screw threads, a dab of clean synthetic grease around the beed screw will stop this....
SB
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 Diesels: '85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG '84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG '77 240D (parts car) '67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP) Gassers: '94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG '85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car '58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG
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#6
04-13-2007, 08:07 AM
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So the valvoline SynPower brake fluid is a direct replacement for the original ATE fluid? I've just been using that stuff and it seems to work well. I am actually going to be bleeding my system here within the next week or two. Maybe even tomorrow!
Its right around the time for the "two year flush".
__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-  '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)
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#7
04-13-2007, 09:03 AM
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To answer a question, it seems kind of a dark green. I will flush out the system as soon as I am able...I think I will invest in a motive power bleeder though, I read all the posts on brake bleeding where it received several ringing endorsements. Other things being equal, I'd rather do this the easy way.
It seems many mityvac owners have found that tool rather inadequate due to air leaking in around the bleeder valves. Now that I think about it, this happened to me when I used it on my aircooled VW, which is why I haven't used it in quite a while. On the other hand, it will be extremely handy doing vacuum system checks. Next question - I may put new seals on the calipers - I didn't see much info on that around the website. Does anyone know of a good how-to for this?
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Charlie --------------------------- '66 VW 1300 96K miles '97 E300D 239K miles '85 300D 203K miles (sold Sep 2012)
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#8
04-13-2007, 09:37 AM
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I also endorse the motive power bleeder, makes for a very easy job when bleeding brakes. However, make sure the little rubber caps on top of the resevoir are new and still seal good. I found out that mine were dried out and cracked when I bled mine, fluid started rapidly coming out from under them when I pressurized it.
 So I recommend replacing them. 
__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life- '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)
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#9
04-13-2007, 09:38 AM
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The Motive Power Bleeder ( or any other) works great IF the rubber caps that cover the fluid level sensors on the reservior are in good shape. If not its a bit of a mess
__________________
Hanno '79 6.9 Sold (after 27 years) '83 280SL, 5 spd. '94 E320 Sdn. 5 spd conversion '02 E320 Sdn.(on loan to mom!) '87 300E (5 spd. conversion) Sold '05 E500 Wagon
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#10
04-13-2007, 09:40 AM
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Quote:
__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life- '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)
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#11
04-13-2007, 11:21 AM
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__________________
Kent Christensen Albuquerque '07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster Two BMW motorcycles
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#12
04-13-2007, 12:45 PM
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Yes I have seen cars with other than brake fluid in the system. The only thing green other than antifreeze that I can think of is two cycle mixing oil. Why people do these things with cars is beyond me.
This is all kind of irrelevant though. If changing your own brake fluid out periodically avoids even the required purchase price of one replacement caliper it is time and money well spent in my opinion. The general dirt in there from disolved or worn rubber parts can accumulate to become a real mess. Then there is the destructive moisture accumulation that can do real damage with time.
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