I did a brake job last week and have a partial bottle of brake fluid left over. Is it ok to use this fluid on another job this weekend or should I buy another unopened bottle?
Open Brake Fluid Bottle
- Thread starter outoforder
- Start date
- Status
Brake fluid is hydrophilic, it absorbs water from the atmosphere. When you open it, air rushes in, and depending on the humidity of the air, it can contaminate the brake fluid.
A coupe of days should be fine, but unless you're in a very dry climate, not much longer. Otherwise, either toss it or use it for the flush.
A coupe of days should be fine, but unless you're in a very dry climate, not much longer. Otherwise, either toss it or use it for the flush.
It may be best to toss it after a few days I don't know... but all that brake fluid in your master cylinder has been exposed to air as well and it continues to work fine for years. I screw the cap back on tight and do not worry about the shelf life personally.
Originally Posted By: Noey
Brake fluid is hygroscopic.
FTFY
Brake fluid is hygroscopic.
FTFY
Originally Posted By: nwjones18
It may be best to toss it after a few days I don't know... but all that brake fluid in your master cylinder has been exposed to air as well and it continues to work fine for years. I screw the cap back on tight and do not worry about the shelf life personally.
Originally Posted By: Lubener
I have used brake fluid which was opened six months prior and I'm still stopping fine.If you are bleeding, use that fluid first for the flush.
I screwed the cap tight and reused it up to 2 years after opened.
It may be best to toss it after a few days I don't know... but all that brake fluid in your master cylinder has been exposed to air as well and it continues to work fine for years. I screw the cap back on tight and do not worry about the shelf life personally.
Originally Posted By: Lubener
I have used brake fluid which was opened six months prior and I'm still stopping fine.If you are bleeding, use that fluid first for the flush.
I screwed the cap tight and reused it up to 2 years after opened.
How would the fluid only last a few weeks. Is the air tight seal on the bottle not as good as the cap on the master cylinder ? Is the cap on the master cylinder in fact even as good as the bottle.
Originally Posted By: Lubener
I have used brake fluid which was opened six months prior and I'm still stopping fine.If you are bleeding, use that fluid first for the flush.
+1 You should be fine. I usually buy smaller bottles anyways unless I know I will be doing multiple vehicles etc. I tighten the cap and keep it in my temperature controlled basement. In your situation you should be just fine.
I have used brake fluid which was opened six months prior and I'm still stopping fine.If you are bleeding, use that fluid first for the flush.
+1 You should be fine. I usually buy smaller bottles anyways unless I know I will be doing multiple vehicles etc. I tighten the cap and keep it in my temperature controlled basement. In your situation you should be just fine.
- Status
