Brake bleed disaster - Page 6 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

toomany MBZ · #76 10-12-2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myhilo

The warning "use brake fluid only from a sealed container" has always been somewhat confusing to me. Does this mean only use brake fluid newly purchased with the seal ( foil membrane) as well as the cap in place, or does it simply mean always cap the brake fluid bottle ( well duh!).

First seems overkill, the second interpretation seems to be common sense.

So what does "use brake fluid only from a sealed container." mean?

Brake fluid is quite http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hygroscopic?o= so use only from a sealed container means to me, anyway, to use new metal foil sealed stuff, its not that expensive.

JimSmith · #77 10-12-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myhilo

The warning "use brake fluid only from a sealed container" has always been somewhat confusing to me. Does this mean only use brake fluid newly purchased with the seal ( foil membrane) as well as the cap in place, or does it simply mean always cap the brake fluid bottle ( well duh!).

First seems overkill, the second interpretation seems to be common sense.

So what does "use brake fluid only from a sealed container." mean?

Brake fluid absorbs water, so once you open the can and break the manufacturer's seal, you begin the process of degrading the fluid. Water inside the braking system causes the steel parts to corrode. Leading to caliper replacements, steel line replacements and even master cylinder replacements. I have used Castrol GT LMA (for low moisture absorbing) brake fluid for more than thirty years. The stuff costs a few bucks. It is not worth saving half a can considering the cost of replacing a brake line or caliper or master cylinder to save a dollar. In fact, I never change brake pads without flushing the system. Same logic. Another couple of bucks every few years to avoid a big headache and expense. Literally.

Jim

Looks like I came second to this party. See the post above.

lupin..the..3rd · #78 10-12-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimSmith

Brake fluid absorbs water, so once you open the can and break the manufacturer's seal, you begin the process of degrading the fluid. Water inside the braking system causes the steel parts to corrode. Leading to caliper replacements, steel line replacements and even master cylinder replacements.

x2, braking systems all degrade from the INSIDE out. Moisture in the fluid and lazy owners who don't change it frequently enough. Brake fluid should be completely flushed and changed every 2 years.

Lets say you open a new can of brake fluid, and use half of it in your car, then put the cap immediately back on the bottle. After two years, the brake fluid left in the can has degraded (absorbed moisture) at exactly the same rate as what is in the car. You can NOT save brake fluid for later, once you've opened the can.