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| techtalk:ref:wheels03 [2024/05/23 04:17] – [Brake Fluid Shelf Life] hippysmack | techtalk:ref:wheels03 [2025/10/31 18:30] (current) – [DOT 5] hippysmack | ||
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| ===== Brake Fluid Shelf Life ===== | ===== Brake Fluid Shelf Life ===== | ||
| + | ==== Subdocuments ==== | ||
| + | * [[techtalk: | ||
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| * **Storage Area**: | * **Storage Area**: | ||
| * Store undercover, away from moisture and direct sunlight in well-ventilated area. | * Store undercover, away from moisture and direct sunlight in well-ventilated area. | ||
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| * You can call the manufacturer and ask for replacement or refund if it's past the shelf life date (or just dispose the bottle) | * You can call the manufacturer and ask for replacement or refund if it's past the shelf life date (or just dispose the bottle) | ||
| * You can also call them and ask how to read the date on the bottle. | * You can also call them and ask how to read the date on the bottle. | ||
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| - | ==== Example of outdated (new) bottle of brake fluid ==== | ||
| - | From an article by RandallM of the XLForum ((https:// | ||
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| - | A new (sealed) bottle of BelRay DOT5 brake fluid was purchased from a local Harley Dealership in Feb. 2022. \\ | ||
| - | It was noticed that the color of the new fluid was darker than the old fluid being replaced. \\ | ||
| - | This is what caused question if the new fluid was still good. \\ | ||
| - | (however, new fluid should always be darker than the used fluid as it gets lighter | ||
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| - | DOT 5 will turn clear to yellow tint with age/use and that is normal. But the excursion was productive. \\ | ||
| - | Looking into an old master cylinder, the darkness in there is not the fluid itself. \\ | ||
| - | It's particles in the fluid that have dropped out of suspension floating around or landing on the bottom and/or sides. \\ | ||
| - | If you scoop some fluid out off the top, you'll notice it's actually lighter than you thought. \\ | ||
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| - | So, an email was sent to Belray. Belray' | ||
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| - | Randall sent Belray a picture of the new fluid. Belray' | ||
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| - | Belray sent him a replacement bottle (in fact, 2 bottles) of new DOT 5 Brake Fluid. \\ | ||
| - | They did the honorable thing, as it should be, and it was much appreciated. Since the date code is Julian date, it had to be deciphered. \\ | ||
| - | Initially, the lot numbers printed on the back of the bottle were not found. After a closer look, they were found (very faint and hardly noticeable). \\ | ||
| - | The best account of the lot numbers were 131023018 (but the number count was one more than was given by Belray). \\ | ||
| - | Given the first four numbers are insignificant, | ||
| - | You can search for __Julian calendars__ on the internet. Find one for the full year so you can see the numbers for the year. \\ | ||
| - | A Julian calendar is shown below for August 2018 for this example. \\ | ||
| - | The calendar days are above the Julian days. As you can see, number 230 is August 18. \\ | ||
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| - | That made the bottle about 3.5 years old at that point. Which makes the newly purchased bottle about 5 months past the "born on" date (or shelf life). \\ | ||
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| - | Belray' | ||
| - | For best results drain and replace the brake fluid once a year. And to flush and refill system with fresh Silicone DOT 5 Brake Fluid. \\ | ||
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| - | Their published info does not include the shelf life. But now we know it's 3 years and they prefer it replaced every year. \\ | ||
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| - | So, doing the math and combining the info above with Belray' | ||
| - | Their DOT 5 fluid with a 2.9 year born on date would still be useable for 1 year. \\ | ||
| - | Other brake fluid manufacturers may suggest replacing their fluids around every 2 years for water based brake fluids. \\ | ||
| - | Might that be why their published shelf life is only 2 years? We may never know. \\ | ||
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| The chart below was compiled from Technical Data Sheets (TDS), read as public flyers, from different brake fluid manufacturers. \\ | The chart below was compiled from Technical Data Sheets (TDS), read as public flyers, from different brake fluid manufacturers. \\ | ||
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| ===== DOT 5 ===== | ===== DOT 5 ===== | ||
| - | * The change to Dot 5 brake fluid was made with HD production motorcycles in September of 1976 ((HD Service Letter M-28)). | + | * The change to Dot 5 brake fluid was made with HD production motorcycles in September of 1976 ((HD Service Letter M-28)). |
| + | * DOT 5 brake fluid is of silicone chemistry and not being water miscible, it must rely on the silicone (with some corrosion inhibitors) as a barrier film to control corrosion. Water is not absorbed by silicone as in the case of DOT 3-4-5.1 fluids, and will remain as a separate globule sinking to the lowest point in the brake system, since it is more dense. ((http:// | ||
| * When using Dot 3 brake fluid, the brake system should be drained, flushed, and refilled with new brake fluid every year to eliminate any contamination such as sludge. This yearly service was eliminated when D.O.T.-5 silicone fluid was used instead and with improved performance. ((HD Service Bulletin #M712 dated June 16, 1977 pg 1)) | * When using Dot 3 brake fluid, the brake system should be drained, flushed, and refilled with new brake fluid every year to eliminate any contamination such as sludge. This yearly service was eliminated when D.O.T.-5 silicone fluid was used instead and with improved performance. ((HD Service Bulletin #M712 dated June 16, 1977 pg 1)) | ||
| * Silicone brake fluid reduces corrosion, will not degrade the " | * Silicone brake fluid reduces corrosion, will not degrade the " | ||
