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| techtalk:ref:wheels03 [2024/05/23 04:26] – [Brake Fluid Shelf Life] hippysmack | techtalk:ref:wheels03 [2024/05/23 04:33] (current) – [Example of outdated (new) bottle of brake fluid] hippysmack | ||
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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| - | ==== Example of outdated (new) bottle of brake fluid ==== | ||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. \\ | ||
