Suspension Brakes 1st Gen Quick question Brake fluid

Discussion in 'Tuning and Performance' started by MCS02, Apr 29, 2016.

  1. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    I'm too lazy to look it up and I am on the road so I can't get to my Bentley manual.

    How much brake fluid do I need to flush the break/clutch system?
     
  2. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    1 pint will usually do it, buy a quart and you'll have extra left over in case you need it.
     
  3. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Thanks Dave!
     
  4. Rawhyde

    Rawhyde Active Member

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    If you have any left over, throw it away. Brake fluid is extremely hygroscopic. (It absorbs moisture from the air.) When it absorbs moisture, its boiling point is substantially decreased and its vapor pressure is increased. Water contaminated brake fluid is what causes a spongy and mushy feeling brake pedal.

    You're not saving any money by keeping containers of brake fluid around your shop once the seal is broken.
     
  5. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Some fluids are more sensitive to this than others. FWIW, I've used Super Blue / Type 200 for almost 10 years in the Mini, have never thrown away a partially used container, have frequently bled using a container that was opened (and re-sealed) months earlier, and have never had a problem, including running very aggressive mountain weekends on track pads, and track days. I'm not saying it's not a problem for some people... but it's never been a problem for me.

    The only time I've ever had a spongy pedal, was with some air in the ABS system.
     
  6. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #6 MCS02, May 1, 2016
    Last edited: May 1, 2016
    I ordered ATE 706202 Original TYP 200 I guess its not blue anymore. I have had the wilwood fluid has been in my car for 2 years.

    Paul did you mean, "The only time I've ever had a spongy pedal, was when I was in the air with my ABS" ?:biggrin5:
     
  7. fishmonger

    fishmonger Well-Known Member

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    same here with reusing opened container fluid. There's only so much moisture that can be absorbed from a half liter of air. I don't leave it sitting in the pressure bleeder, as that is open to the atmosphere when not in use.

    If I have leftovers, I usually run those leftovers through the system first, to pre-flush reservoir and lines, then switch to content of a fresh can of ATE 200.
     

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