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techtalk:ref:wheels03 [2019/04/18 03:33] hippysmack [Mixing Brake Fluids] |
techtalk:ref:wheels03 [2019/04/18 03:58] hippysmack [When to Check or Change Brake Fluid] |
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| ==== When to Check or Change Brake Fluid ==== | ==== When to Check or Change Brake Fluid ==== | ||
| + | Copper content is the most destructive aspect of brake fluid breakdown. \\ So even without moisture being present in the fluid, it is still a good idea to change the fluid when it is suppose to be changed. ((Baphomet of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1227590)) | ||
| + | |||
| ^Year Model^Check^Change^ | ^Year Model^Check^Change^ | ||
| |1959-1969| | | | |1959-1969| | | | ||
| Line 44: | Line 46: | ||
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| - | ==== What Type Brake Fluid Do You Have ==== | + | ==== Testing Your Brake Fluid ==== |
| - | When in doubt, | + | * **Check water solubility** |
| - | * 1st check your bikes service manual to see what should go in it. | + | * What Type Brake Fluid Do You Have? |
| - | * Next, get a few drops of brake fluid from your brake reservoir and put them in a small container. Add a few drops of water and mix it all together. | + | * 1st check your bikes service manual to see what should go in it. |
| - | * If the water mixes with the brake fluid, it is DOT 3, 4 or (5.1). | + | * Next, get a few drops of brake fluid from your brake reservoir and put them in a small container. Add a few drops of water and mix it all together. |
| - | * If the water does not mix with the brake fluid it is DOT 5. ((http://www.belray.com/how-determine-what-brake-fluid-your-bike)) | + | * If the water mixes with the brake fluid, it is DOT 3, 4 or (5.1). |
| - | == The Color Check == | + | * If the water does not mix with the brake fluid it is DOT 5. ((http://www.belray.com/how-determine-what-brake-fluid-your-bike)) |
| - | * DOT 3 is available in Clear, Pale Yellow, Blue & Crimson Red. | + | * **The Color Check** |
| - | * DOT 4 is available in Clear, Pale Yellow & Crimson Red. | + | * The presence or absence of color is not a safe criteria to distinguish between the different types of brake fluids. \\ The color is added in brake fluid to detect leaks and color does not effect the quality of brake fluid. \\ Since blue and purple sometimes can seem the same color depending on lighting, you could be mixing Dot 5 and DOT (5.1). \\ (not to mention DOT 5 turning clear and making you think someone changed to a different type than OEM for your year model.... this does happen.) |
| - | * DOT 5.1 is available Clear, Pale Yellow & Blue. | + | * DOT 3 is available in Clear, Pale Yellow, Blue & Crimson Red. |
| - | * DOT 5 is available in Purple & Violet. ((http://advancepetro.com/differentbrakefluid.htm)) | + | * DOT 4 is available in Clear, Pale Yellow & Crimson Red. |
| - | * Turns clear when it gets old. ((sportysrock of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?threadid=70213)) | + | * DOT 5.1 is available Clear, Pale Yellow & Blue. |
| - | + | * DOT 5 is available in Purple & Violet. ((http://advancepetro.com/differentbrakefluid.htm)) | |
| - | The presence or absence of color is not a safe criteria to distinguish between the different types of brake fluids. \\ | + | * Turns clear when it gets old. ((sportysrock of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?threadid=70213)) |
| - | The color is added in brake fluid to detect leaks and color does not effect the quality of brake fluid. \\ | + | * **Test for moisture content**: \\ This test is a result of an SAE paper showing a distinct relationship between moisture content and the voltage measured. ((turkishxl883 of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1227590)) |
| - | Since blue and purple sometimes can seem the same color depending on lighting, you could be mixing Dot 5 and DOT (5.1). \\ | + | * Brake fluid (3,4 & 5.1) is hygroscopic (able to draw in moisture like a sponge). \\ It is no wonder, then, that the brake fluid in the master cylinder is often dark, almost black in appearance. \\ But does that mean it has to be changed? Not always. \\ Glycol based fluid absorbs moisture and disperses it throughout the system. \\ Silicone based (5) fluid does not allow moisture to enter the system. So this test may notwork for DOT 5 fluid. ((steelworker of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1227590)) \\ (since it's the moisture inside the fluid that makes the reaction) \\ And while there are test strips to test the moisture content, \\ Here is a method that works just as well. \\ Use your DMM (Digital Multimeter) to test the fluid. |
| - | (not to mention DOT 5 turning clear and making you think someone changed to a different type than OEM for your year model.... this does happen.) \\ | + | * The procedure is easy enough. |
| + | * Hook up your negative meter lead to the negative battery post. | ||
| + | * Insert your positive meter lead into the brake fluid while avoiding contact with the reservoir itself. | ||
| + | * Any reading over 0.30 volts is too much, and the fluid should be flushed. | ||
| ==== Mixing Brake Fluids ==== | ==== Mixing Brake Fluids ==== | ||
