Brake Fluid Shelf Life

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twowheelnut

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I'll put this one in where it would have been moved to eventually...

Opened, but capped bottles of syn brake fluid. Use 'em or toss 'em? If use 'em, how long is too long to be setting on the shelf? I know the stuff is cheap, but I hate wasting stuff.

 
I'll put this one in where it would have been moved to eventually...
Opened, but capped bottles of syn brake fluid. Use 'em or toss 'em? If use 'em, how long is too long to be setting on the shelf? I know the stuff is cheap, but I hate wasting stuff.
The DOT number has something to do with moisture absorbtion - that's all I know - the higher the number, the less it will absorb - not a mechanic, but if it were me, I'd toss it if it were more than 6 mo's old.

As you said - it's cheap compared to a cylinder or caliper rebuild.

Need a mechanic here... Somebody...??

 
You can google on the nets and get the lowdown on the DOT numbers. Basically, for a FJR, you want to be using a high quality DOT 4. Valvoline Synpower is readily available and well-liked.

Back to the original question, the amount of moisture introduced into a can of brake fluid when it is opened and resealed is truly minisicule. (I computed it one time assuming a half-full, big 32-oz brake fluid bottle and using typical temps, humidities, etc. to be about 1/100th of a drop of water.) This is really the only problem with using fluid from a container that has been previously opened - it doesn't deteoriate otherwise. So I don't see any issue with using fluid from an opened can as long as you're sure the can is well sealed. And brake fluid is nasty stuff that really should be recycled but most people dump it down the drain or throw it in the trash - if you're one of these, throwing away good brake fluid to be ultra-conservative is hard on the environment. If you recycle like you should, then it's just a matter of money.

That said, I'd buy a container that is more/less compatible with how much you'll use in a small amount of time. IOW, I wouldn't buy the Costco size to save money and then open and close it over the next ten years. Each time you do, you're refreshing the air in the container which contains new moisture.

- Mark

 
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The fluid should retain it's lifespan if, it's been stored sealed, for about 1 year after opening. I would still only use DOT 4 or better (blue racing fluid) in any of my vehicles after break-in.

 
Actually, in breaking apart my calipers to clean and service, I used the old fluid to wash the innards out from 50,000 miles of road spooge. Figger'd a good rinsing with the clean, albeit older, fluid would be the best use of it rather than just tossing it.

 
Actually, in breaking apart my calipers to clean and service, I used the old fluid to wash the innards out from 50,000 miles of road spooge. Figger'd a good rinsing with the clean, albeit older, fluid would be the best use of it rather than just tossing it.
Tim....that's what they make brake cleaner for.....FYI :grin: ....

 
Actually, in breaking apart my calipers to clean and service, I used the old fluid to wash the innards out from 50,000 miles of road spooge. Figger'd a good rinsing with the clean, albeit older, fluid would be the best use of it rather than just tossing it.
Tim....that's what they make brake cleaner for.....FYI :grin: ....
Um, no duh, there, Frenchy! :p

 
I have not tried this with DOT4, so this is old-school. I would do it as a demonstration for students.

Take some brake fluid. Add a significant amount of water. Stir. Note that there will be visible seperation of the two liquids. (looks like water and oil) Now, seal the container and wait til tomorrow. Try to find the water.

The water will have been completely absorbed into the brake fluid. There will be no visible difference. The best way to find the moisture? Compress the fluid in your brake system. And Viola! or Crash! Whichever occurs first.

Anyway, short lesson: Brake fluid absorbs moisture! Discard any open container for safety reasons! Wasteful? Yes! But may you live long and waste much!

 
wow! its just like mascara!! its got a 6 month shelf life at best but there's no way one person can use it all up by then. so you gotta throw away quite a bit of product. dang!! :spruce_up:

 
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I have not tried this with DOT4, so this is old-school. I would do it as a demonstration for students.
Take some brake fluid. Add a significant amount of water. Stir. Note that there will be visible seperation of the two liquids. (looks like water and oil) Now, seal the container and wait til tomorrow. Try to find the water.

The water will have been completely absorbed into the brake fluid. There will be no visible difference. The best way to find the moisture? Compress the fluid in your brake system. And Viola! or Crash! Whichever occurs first.

Anyway, short lesson: Brake fluid absorbs moisture! Discard any open container for safety reasons! Wasteful? Yes! But may you live long and waste much!
Yep - and the boiling point reduces significantly - which could turn into a real problem when your doing some hard braking through the twisties...

 
wow! its just like mascara!! its got a 6 month shelf life at best but there's no way one person can use it all up by then. so you gotta throw away quite a bit of product. dang!! :spruce_up:
Ya know there is this fella :ph34r: down yer way, in a rock band, so quality wouldn't be an issue, an he might buy it :lol:

Just trying to help you get a little of that cash back

:jester:

 
wow! its just like mascara!! its got a 6 month shelf life at best but there's no way one person can use it all up by then. so you gotta throw away quite a bit of product. dang!! :spruce_up:
Ya know there is this fella :ph34r: down yer way, in a rock band, so quality wouldn't be an issue, an he might buy it :lol:

Just trying to help you get a little of that cash back

:jester:
yeah i know him. i'll bet he knows alot of mascara-wearin dudes! good idea busta!

 
My best guess is it depends.

Mainly depends on the humidity when you open it. If you're in the desert with low low humidity, there just isn't going to be that much moisture in the air to begin with.

 
OK a new question here. How long will and unopened bottle of DOT 4 brake fluid last. I gor a good deal on a case of Honda DOT 4 fluid about a yera ago, How long will they last sealed?

Thanks,

BKR CHK

I'll put this one in where it would have been moved to eventually...
Opened, but capped bottles of syn brake fluid. Use 'em or toss 'em? If use 'em, how long is too long to be setting on the shelf? I know the stuff is cheap, but I hate wasting stuff.
 
OK a new question here. How long will and unopened bottle of DOT 4 brake fluid last. I gor a good deal on a case of Honda DOT 4 fluid about a yera ago, How long will they last sealed?
Thanks,

BKR CHK

I'll put this one in where it would have been moved to eventually...
Opened, but capped bottles of syn brake fluid. Use 'em or toss 'em? If use 'em, how long is too long to be setting on the shelf? I know the stuff is cheap, but I hate wasting stuff.
How long do you keep brake fluid in your brake system before you change it? That's how long I'd keep it on the shelf, opened or unopened.

 
How long do you keep brake fluid in your brake system before you change it? That's how long I'd keep it on the shelf, opened or unopened.
That seems ridiculously conservative to me. Heck, for all you know, it could be sitting on the shelf of the auto parts store or in a distribution warehouse for a year or two before you buy it.

I don't have any hard information on the shelf life of a sealed brake fluid container, but given that there are no expiration dates on the containers, I'd expect it to be a fairly long time - certainly a few years or so. The stuff is designed to be basically inert and non-volatile - that's why it is so tough on the environment when it's dumped.

- Mark

 
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