any experience of this?

[nickk]

i like the idea of being able to test brake fluid rather than as i currently do change it every few years regardless of its state,are these valid testers of moisture ?
thanks.




http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290771492109?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

[AndyStobbs]

seems like a complex way of sussing it out. The colour alone with dot 3/4 is a good indicator. Seems to darken with more moisture.

 

[Sean]

Just change the brake fluid and stop being cheapskate gizmo £30 : pagid 5 litre dot 4 <£20

 

[Wayne.]

You can check the PH level of brake fluid with a multimeter

 

[nickk]

You can check the PH level of brake fluid with a multimeter

so does ph check moisture level?

 

[hotrodder]

Moisture may lower the pH based on rainwater (and so atmospheric moisture?) typically being slightly acidic but i don't think the two are related in any meaningful way?
Personally i'd just change it every couple of years (or sooner on something that gets track abuse) as it's not just a drop in boiling point that happens with age/moisture abosrbtion, ends up with microscopic pieces of seals in suspension etc

 

[brightspark]

dunno what the big fuss is on changing it .none of the vehicles ive ever owned had there fluid changed and all did over 70 thousand miles

 

[BrokenBiker]

ive only done a full change once and that was only due to a hose splitting and ******* the fluid over the road. Fluid in my bandit has been in there since 2005 barring a few top ups after pads have been changed and bled

 

[Robotstar5]

I'm in the "change every couple of years" camp, when I apply the brakes, I want them to work

 

[brightspark]

I'm in the "change every couple of years" camp, when I apply the brakes, I want them to work

yea it does help . but as long as the van passes its test every year il not bother . you would soon know if your brakes went spongy if there was anything amiss

 

[Mr shiney]

Change mine on the bikes every two years. You can feel the loss of performance on them as the fluid ages. On the off road bikes you get no end of trouble with old fluid boiling.

 

[mike os]

Not just the loss of performance the moisture corrodes components

 

[Tman]

yea it does help . but as long as the van passes its test every year il not bother . you would soon know if your brakes went spongy if there was anything amiss

Same here just changed the brake fluid due to a corroded brake pipe on my 2000 vw caddy. been in since 2003 that I know of possibly from new and the new fluid doesn't feel any different to me.

 

[AndyStobbs]

Not just the loss of performance the moisture corrodes components

The moisture on the outside of components will see them off a long time before any moisture in the fluid.

 

[Rocketman]

If you bleed a load through each time you do break pads/service you don't need to worry about it. I just bleed through about 500ml each time.

 

[waldershelf]

I bought a similar digital tester from Amazon It indicates with a set of traffic lights, Green light on, everything's ok. Amber light on, change at next service. Red light on, change it now. I use it on every car I work on and it seems to be a good indication of the fluids age/moisture content.

I suspect it uses the conductivity of the fluid and makes a calculation from that to come up with a water content figure.

 

[Keith 66]

Back in 1991 i put my Morris 1000 pickup back on the road after a full rebuild. Now moggies are renowned for seizing brake cylinders up, Alloy pistons in Iron cylinders & steel pistons in alloy cylinders are a recipie for corrosion. Normally you lose at least one every year between mots.
I put Dot5 silicone fluid in. The truck went for 12 years until it was laid up again. It has now been sitting for 7 years. 2 weeks ago we moved the old girl & the brakes were not seized. I rest my case.