Why is my brake fluid so dirty?

[coopns]

I did the turkey baster method about 2 months ago. I did new front brakes about 3 weeks ago. I just checked the fluid and she's some dirty. How does it get so dirty? I thought I read somewhere here that the fluid doesn't travel back up?

Give me the simplified version. I was just curious.

 

[ChiTDI]

Old dirty fluid contaminated the new stuff.
Flush it.

 

[N7Quarian]

Did you flush the brakes? Or just changed the fluid in the reservoir.?

 

[sasilverbullet]

Originally Posted By: ChiTDI
Old dirty fluid contaminated the new stuff.
Flush it.


+1
Complete flush will fix you up.

 

[coopns]

Didn't flush the brakes. My buddy helped and said the bleeders looked rusted and didn't have time to take the chance that they would brake/have to buy news ones. He did a side and I did a side. (I am just learning).

 

[sasilverbullet]

Originally Posted By: coopns
Didn't flush the brakes. My buddy helped and said the bleeders looked rusted and didn't have time to take the chance that they would brake/have to buy news ones. He did a side and I did a side. (I am just learning).


You need to do a flush - and be brave about the bleeders. Just use a six point socket and get them broke loose. You may also encounter the bleeders clogged up. Just remove them and clean them out with a wire, then re-install them. You need to have good clean fluid flowing from each bleeder.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

When it comes to buying brake fluid Wal-Mart brand is just as good as any name brand.And less expensive too. That goes for parts house brands also.

 

[HerrStig]

Whenever you put new pads in you have to check the fluid reservior for the fluid forced back when the pistons are pushed in to accomodate the new pads.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Whenever you put new pads in you have to check the fluid reservior for the fluid forced back when the pistons are pushed in to accomodate the new pads.

This is true.When brake pads wear the reservoir fluid goes down.As usual,before you install new pads you compress the caliper pistons into the caliper.The fluid should go back to near where it was originally (factory fill) when you had new pads (if you never added brake fluid).

 

[ac_tc]

and when you pushed(? spelling) the pads back do a change in the resorvoir, its the only time you get to used fluid.

 

[mechtech2]

Old fluid was pushed into the reservoir.
A 'real' brake bleed/flush is best. but turkey baster flushes of the reservoir WILL help, over time.
Not as immediate as a PS flush, but it does a lot of good.

 

[coopns]

Now the brake light is on! The embrace is not engaged, will check the fluid in the morning.

 

[CharBaby]

Over Memorial Day Weekend 2012, I changed all of the brakes/rotors in my wifes car including the parking brake shoes.

Prior to bleeding each indivdual brake caliper in the proper order(RR, LR, RF, LF), I removed as much brake fluid as possible from the resivior and started with brand new fluid, then proceded to bleed the system.

Today, that fluid in the resivior is darker than just 4 months ago. But, I don't know if it's really dirty or just darker!

 

[HerrStig]

You really have to bleed each brake until clear fluid shows.

 

[Ken2]

Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
When it comes to buying brake fluid Wal-Mart brand is just as good as any name brand.And less expensive too. That goes for parts house brands also.

They all claim to meet minimum specs. The better fluids exceed the minimums. I'll buy the better fluids.

 

[mechtech2]

Ken -
How do you determine that Walmart brake fluid is inferior?
Maybe it is better.
Oh... the name brand makes it better?

 

[zerosoma]

Originally Posted By: coopns
The embrace is not engaged


Haha, I love auto correct on phones.

 

[zerosoma]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Ken -
How do you determine that Walmart brake fluid is inferior?
Maybe it is better.
Oh... the name brand makes it better?



I don't care whose name is on the bottle, I only buy synthetic brake fluid. Anything else is a waste of time, imo.











hahahaha

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: zerosoma
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Ken -
How do you determine that Walmart brake fluid is inferior?
Maybe it is better.
Oh... the name brand makes it better?



I don't care whose name is on the bottle, I only buy synthetic brake fluid. Anything else is a waste of time.

Q? If you have regular DOT 3 fluid in the reservoir and you do the turkey baster method,can you then add synthetic fluid or can the fluids be mixed?

 

[CharBaby]

All Brake Fluid is synthetic!!!