How long can I store brake-fluid

[MvM]

Last time I refreshed my brake fluid flash, I did not empty the can it came in.

Since then, that original can has been closed and stored in a cool and dark place. It's about two years old now.
Can I still use that brake-fluid or should I assume it has already hydrated enough to make it useless for a new brake flush?

How long can you store brake fluid once the can has been opened?'

I'm in the middle of the new year routine, doing all kind of jobs on the NSX I had not come around to yet :smile:

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Throw it out. Long term storage of open brake fluid is bad. Use smaller containers, so what you end up with on the shelf is unopened.

Regards,
LarryB

 

[Bob_54]

I agree with Larry on this. Throw it out and start with fresh fluid.
DOT 3 and DOT 4 glycol based brake fluids absorb water at a rapid rate once the container is opened. I would bet the boiling point of fluid that has been opened and stored in the original container for 2 years to be at least 100° F lower than new fluid.

 

[nsxtasy]

A counter-argument. If your dealer/mechanic has a tool for testing the boiling point of the fluid, have him do it. If it hasn't risen all that much, you can use it.

 

[zacks91nsx]

Since we are talking about brake fluid, my abs module started making that annoying winding nose, I check the fluid and it was little creamy looking. Any ideas?

 

[angus]

Brake fluid is cheap .
One of it's main properties is that it abrorbs water(to prevent corrosion)
It can absorb water right through plastic given enough time.
If you are at all in doubt , throw it away.

 

[nsxtasy]

Since we are talking about brake fluid, my abs module started making that annoying winding nose, I check the fluid and it was little creamy looking. Any ideas?

It's normal for the noise (or nose :wink: ) to occur when starting the car, and whenever you use the ABS (panic stop, gravel road, etc). It's not normal for it to keep going on and on; if it's doing that, the solenoids may be stuck; you need to exercise the ABS (go to an empty parking lot and stomp HARD on the brakes until you feel the pedal pulse), which should loosen it up. It's a good idea to do this once a month.

As for the fluid, it shouldn't look creamy. how long since it was flushed?

 

[zacks91nsx]

it ran low about a year ago, I toped it off and check it aleast once a week, and still do to this day, I like to know if all the fluids are toped off. And for a year of so it's been fine and up to Tuesday that's when I noticed the creamy look. Now the (nose..lol) comes on more frequently, when I start to drive and even 30 min after I been on a freeway still does it, Im going to a empty lot and lock it up a few times this weekend :biggrin:

 

[Big_D]

Can't it be recycled? I'd hate to think our landfills are being polluted with brake fluid. Maybe you can take it to the local Auto parts store and they can dispose of your old fluid.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

My recycling center in NY advised me to mix the old brake fluid with old oil for proper disposal. Anti-Freeze must be separated.

LarryB

 

[zacks91nsx]

I actually use to work in a shop and use to change gear oil in differential, so im doing to use the dif sucker and suck out all the old b/f and add some good stuff.

 

[zacks91nsx]

ok sucked out all the old fluid and added some new stuff. I live close to a dirt road so I went out there lock it up 3 times. The next morning I went to start my car warmed it up and took off, So far no noise, I fix the problem running like a champ again :smile: