High brake fluid level?

Y

y_p_w

Any opinions.

Took my 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX for a brake inspection and fluid
(brake and clutch) flush. The shop performed the service with 4-1/2
250ml cans of Motorex DOT 5.1 fluid that I brought in myself. They
left me one half-empty can, which I figured could be used if I
needed to top off in a week.

When I got home, I checked the fluid level in the resevoirs. The
engine and brakes were warm and the car was level. I had a hard time
figuring out where the level was. The Motorex fluid has virtually no
color, while others used in my cars have been amber, brownish, or
purpleish.

I finally spotted where the level was - fairly high over the max line.
Would it be worth it to remove some of the fluid with a turkey baster?
I know the level might go down as the pads wear.
 
Shep said:
I don't think is a problem, but why did you have this done on a
1 year old vehicle?

I've always had it done every 15K miles, just as a preventative
measure. I figure I'll have it done every 15K miles and never
over 2 years. Besides that, I know that brake fluid absorbs
moisture and the car was built 9/03.
 
Shep said:
I don't think is a problem, but why did you have this done on a 1 year
old vehicle?


Because it's an excellent, superb idea.

Annual fluid changes will see your master cylinder last virtually forever.
I did (and do) the same thing.
 
TeGGeR I appreciate your opinion here, but almost all manufacturer's say
that this is unecessary unless the fluid is contaminated, you are right it
cannot hurt, but issues with bleeding the system can crop up on some
vehicles.
 
Shep said:
TeGGeR I appreciate your opinion here, but almost all manufacturer's
say that this is unecessary unless the fluid is contaminated, you
are right it cannot hurt, but issues with bleeding the system can
crop up on some vehicles.

Most Japanese carmakers recommend brake fluid changes in the 2 to 3
year range for "normal" service. My Subaru warranty booklet recommends
it every 30K miles or 30 months. Strangely enough, Toyota doesn't
have any recommendation.

I'd be worried about going the life of a car with the brake fluid
below the DOT 3 wet boiling point. It's not simply that moisture
in the brake fluid is going to lead to contamination, but also that
the boiling point has gone down as a result.
 
Most Japanese carmakers recommend brake fluid changes in the 2 to 3
year range for "normal" service. My Subaru warranty booklet recommends
it every 30K miles or 30 months. Strangely enough, Toyota doesn't
have any recommendation.

I'd be worried about going the life of a car with the brake fluid
below the DOT 3 wet boiling point. It's not simply that moisture
in the brake fluid is going to lead to contamination, but also that
the boiling point has gone down as a result.


Either way, it's an excellent idea to replace the fluid once per year,
especially if you live (as I do) in an area with high humidity.

It's cheap, too.

You are to be commended for paying appropriate attention to your brake
components. Would that others thought as you.
 
TeGGeR® said:
"y_p_w" <(e-mail address removed)> wrote in
Either way, it's an excellent idea to replace the fluid once per
year, especially if you live (as I do) in an area with high humidity.

It's cheap, too.

I was charged .5 hour labor for the flush. Not super cheap, but less
than the dealer would have charged.
You are to be commended for paying appropriate attention to your
brake components. Would that others thought as you.

I certainly have this done on my own cars. Which reminds me that I
should probably insist on getting my folks to do the same with their
cars. My dad's '96 Regal hasn't gotten a brake fluid flush yet. The
folks' Camry is a 2001.

If there's any corrosion, then it's probably too late. It still
seems like a good idea to get that "wet" brake fluid out of there.
That Buick stops like crap in the first place. It doesn't need
wet fluid to make it worse.
 

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