Disposal of used brake fluid

[Stewart Fan]

Flushed out the brake lines on my boat trailer. I've got a couple qts of used Dot 3 fluid to dispose of.

Its not contaminated,just dirty fluid. Can I mix it with used motor oil and recycle it that way?

 

[ThirdeYe]

Personally, I've always mixed in my transmission fluid and p/s fluid into the oil I recycle, but I don't know how well brake fluid would mix with it especially considering how corrosive it is...

 

[Kestas]

Brake fluid is an alcohol. Disposal with motor oil depends on what the secondary use is for the oil. If it's used for industrial burning, then it's no problem. If it'll be rerefined, then it's a no-no.

Myself, I use it as an accelerant in the fireplace.

 

[MinivanMauler]

Originally Posted By: Kestas


Myself, I use it as an accelerant in the fireplace.


+1.

 

[cmhj]

Yup,

 

[james49]

I found a local place to dispose of brake fluid and other items at a link posted in another thread:
http://search.earth911.com/

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Kestas


Myself, I use it as an accelerant in the fireplace.


Interesting, how do you use it? My fire burns from October to just about April 24/7.

I always mixed ATF and sometimes brake fluid into the waste oil, and took it back to the parts store.


Thanks,
Frank D

 

[Kestas]

I burn mostly wood in my fireplace. Sometimes it can be a bear to start using newspapers. But once I soak the wood with brake fluid I have little problem getting the fire started. Be careful with it though.

I can't think of any problem with mixing it in home heating oil. It's be like making E10 heating oil. Plus the higher volatility of the brake fluid should offset the lower volatiity of the ATF when compared with the base volatility of the heating oil. This is important for ignition.

 

[GMorg]

Brake fluid (DOT3&4) is composed of polyethylene glycol ethers with significant amounts of anti-corrosion additives. You can dispose of it with oil. It is also a fairly good cleaner to remove things like tar, varnish, and some paints.

 

[labman]

Since I view changing brake fluid as a waste of time, I hardly produce enough to meet my paint removal and other cleaning needs.

 

[vxcalais]

labman, do you find brakes to be a waste of time as well ?

 

[cos]

labman,

I take it you don't ride high performance motorcycles. If you EVER get a chance to ride one with 3 yr old brake fluid and then ride the same bike with fresh fluid you'll be shocked.