Richard Savage
New member
The Service Schedule requires that the Brake Fluid is Changed every Two Years, irrespective of Mileage!
I would be interested to know Forum Members views / observations on this.
R.
BRAKE FLUID CHANGE
- Thread starter Richard Savage
- Start date
The Service Schedule requires that the Brake Fluid is Changed every Two Years, irrespective of Mileage!
I would be interested to know Forum Members views / observations on this.
R.
Jonathan Collins
New member
Hi Richard,
If you are asking for the reason behind this it is because brake fluid slowly absorbs water from the atmosphere over time (I think the term is hydroscopic). So water will build up in you brake system and if it accumulates in one of the actuating cylinders the once this area reaches 100degrees Celcius it has the potential to turn to a vapour which can be compressed and you will lose your brakes.
I change my fluid less frequently than every two years but I do change it when I am changing pads or brake pipes etc as also any water that is in there will cause cylinders and pistons to rust and become pitted.
Jon
If you are asking for the reason behind this it is because brake fluid slowly absorbs water from the atmosphere over time (I think the term is hydroscopic). So water will build up in you brake system and if it accumulates in one of the actuating cylinders the once this area reaches 100degrees Celcius it has the potential to turn to a vapour which can be compressed and you will lose your brakes.
I change my fluid less frequently than every two years but I do change it when I am changing pads or brake pipes etc as also any water that is in there will cause cylinders and pistons to rust and become pitted.
Jon
Richard Savage
New member
Jon
Thanks for the reply. Yes, I am aware that Brake Fluid is Hygroscopic, and the possible consequences. I also take your point about pad or pipe replacement.
However, I figured there is only one way that moisture can gain entry to the brake system, and that is via the system reservoir breathing system, on contraction of the fluid therein, following cooling of the system after usage of the brakes, and the consequence ingress of moisture laden air.
Given that the Relative Humidity in this country is rarely particularly high, and that, during normal, every day, road operating conditions at least, the brakes are not used that much, or that 'hard', I cannot see that brake fluid temperatures would get that high either. The quantity of air entering the system therefore must be minimal surely!.
Additionally, how likely is it that any moisture will actually enter the brake fluid, or, under normal operating circumstances will it simply lie on top. Is it Denser or Less Dense that water? I don't know!
Given normal, every day, road usage, I do about 3,500 / 4,000 miles a year, I was simply questioning, how necessary is it to go 'by the book'.
Just wonderin'.
R.
Thanks for the reply. Yes, I am aware that Brake Fluid is Hygroscopic, and the possible consequences. I also take your point about pad or pipe replacement.
However, I figured there is only one way that moisture can gain entry to the brake system, and that is via the system reservoir breathing system, on contraction of the fluid therein, following cooling of the system after usage of the brakes, and the consequence ingress of moisture laden air.
Given that the Relative Humidity in this country is rarely particularly high, and that, during normal, every day, road operating conditions at least, the brakes are not used that much, or that 'hard', I cannot see that brake fluid temperatures would get that high either. The quantity of air entering the system therefore must be minimal surely!.
Additionally, how likely is it that any moisture will actually enter the brake fluid, or, under normal operating circumstances will it simply lie on top. Is it Denser or Less Dense that water? I don't know!
Given normal, every day, road usage, I do about 3,500 / 4,000 miles a year, I was simply questioning, how necessary is it to go 'by the book'.
Just wonderin'.
R.
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