Brake fluid mistake!
you can not just flush it... very important that you do flush this out as it will begin to shrink the seals and also could begin to get into a jelly like state. when you change the fluid, i would HIGHLY recommend seal replacement all around (master and calipers) then flush the lines with denatured alcohol. if you do not replace the seals at least pull them and clean them really well in the denatured alcohol as well
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,829
Likes: 491
From: Northern WV
I don't see how DOT 4 would flush all the DOT 5 out or vice versa, because they're not compatible? It's why flushing DOT 5 out (with DOT 5) doesn't remove the water trapped in various nooks and crevices in the fittings and calipers. Alcohol is probably a solvent for both types of fluid.
Last edited by Ridewva; Feb 28, 2013 at 12:19 PM.
it is the only thing that is approved to clean them. personally if this has been like this for 4 months i would never flush i would replace the lines, seals, and wash all the hard parts really well in denatured alcohol. If a customer insisted on just flushing i would refuse the work due to liability. i do not mess around when it comes to your brakes i have had them lock up on me and send me flying. never again. do it right, do it once
it is the only thing that is approved to clean them. personally if this has been like this for 4 months i would never flush i would replace the lines, seals, and wash all the hard parts really well in denatured alcohol. If a customer insisted on just flushing i would refuse the work due to liability. i do not mess around when it comes to your brakes i have had them lock up on me and send me flying. never again. do it right, do it once
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 655
Likes: 6
I'm at work now and couldn't check the manual since it's at home.
I will say if you are not comfortable doing this, you can send them to me i can rebuild your master and calipers... it may be a good time to shave them and add some powder as well
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 9
From: Marina del Rey
You should also break in your owners manual, a little, too. It tells you what brake fluid to use.
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After 20+ years as an auto tech, I've seen this many times...Like Joe stated...Take apart and rebuild. All rubber is crap for sure. Pretty simple job and not worth the risk seeing that it is your brakes. Normally when someone adds the wrong fluid to a brake system, the seals swell causing the brakes to apply and lock up.
LOSER
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,719
Likes: 4
From: Williamston, NC
Joe, is there anything that you haven't pc'd??