Mixed Brake Fluid
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 1
From: Lenexa, KS (KC)
Well, let me add some light to the issue. Last year I had the dealer change our my bars, and in the process he upgraded the brake lines to stainless braid, so he DID change fluids at that time. I installed the throttle and clutch cables after getting it home, but he did the brake cable.
So, it's only been a year since this was done, and the color of the fluid in the master cylnder is light amber. The color of the HD dot 5 I bought is purple. Surely there's only one dot 5 color for HD, right? And, I doubt it would change in color from purple to light amber in one year, would it? Is there some other dot 5 color out there? Sure would be nice if all I ever had was dot 5, but I really doubt it.
So, it's only been a year since this was done, and the color of the fluid in the master cylnder is light amber. The color of the HD dot 5 I bought is purple. Surely there's only one dot 5 color for HD, right? And, I doubt it would change in color from purple to light amber in one year, would it? Is there some other dot 5 color out there? Sure would be nice if all I ever had was dot 5, but I really doubt it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,452
Likes: 2
From: Maryland
no big deal as long as you did not pump or ride it DOT 5 is purple in color but will turn to a brown color over time. just suck it out with a bledder and wipe it clean and put in #5 than bleed it .
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 279
From: North Cental Iowa
Do as I said in #12 & you should find out what you actually have in the system, until you find out you can't proceed any further. If anyone knows a better way to find out let Taterdog know.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 1
From: Lenexa, KS (KC)
I've applied the old brake fluid several times to a couple of different out of sight places and no damage to the paint. Of course I don't know what I'm looking for, but all it's done is make the paint nice and shiny. No blistering, orange peel, clearcoat removal, etc. I'm beginning to think that somehow I've got dot 5 in the bike after all, even though it's not purple. I'll call the dealer tomorrow and ask what they might have put back in last year.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 4
From: El Cajon Ca.
Dot 5 doesn't stay purple. It turns color with time and use. It sounds like you have Dot 5 in it already. Where did you get the test sample for your paint test? From the caliper? Dot 4 will blister paint in an hour no problem.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 1
From: Lenexa, KS (KC)
Pulled the sample from the fluid I removed from the master cylinder. I had only added about an ounce of new dot 5, and the rest was "whatever." I applied several samples over several hours. The last had completely dried onto the paint. No damage that I could see from any of the tests.
I also read that I can mix the mystery fluid with water. If it's dot 5 (silicon base), it will separate. If it's dot 3 or 4, it will mix. Haven't done it yet, but will before going to bed.
I also read that I can mix the mystery fluid with water. If it's dot 5 (silicon base), it will separate. If it's dot 3 or 4, it will mix. Haven't done it yet, but will before going to bed.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 279
From: North Cental Iowa
Sorry I was gone for a while, yes it should blister the paint or at least make it real dull, I really think it's unlikely that the dealer switched over to Dot 4, especially without telling you, I know I'm giving the dealer credit for being one of the good ones. To switch over correctly you have to flush & clean all of the brake lines & calipers very well so as not to have the problems that were described when fluids are mixed, it doesn't take much residual silicone fluid to screw things up. I just didn't think it was worth taking any chances on the brake system, it's sort of an important thing to have working correctly.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 279
From: North Cental Iowa
I sort of think you would have noticed when you poured it in that they didn't mix very well, that it would have looked like pouring water into oil. If you happen to have some Dot 4 or 3 for that matter, for use in a car try & mix them in a lid or small container & see what happens, I'm betting you're fine, but better safe than sorry.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 1
From: Lenexa, KS (KC)
Thanks, bud, sure didn't blister anything, and I tried it several times. I also read that dot 3/4 and dot 5 won't mix either, and I didn't see any indication of that this morning in the master cylinder before sucking it out. I'm probably good to go, but I'll still call the dealer in the morning to see what he thinks. Thanks very much for the all the help. I'll sleep better tonight!