12 replies to this topic

[maccers]

Bought a 5 litre container probably 2/3 years ago and used about half for the mini and two motorbikes. Probably time to renew all of them but not sure if the stuff in the container will be any use as its as old as the stuff in the various reservoirs.
Its DOT4. Comma.

[nicklouse]

but the bottle will have been sealed so it will be fine.

[Ethel]

It absorbs water from the air. It's very likely fine, but bear that in mind. Warm, dry conditions and full containers are better.

[maccers]

Thanks for that, the bottle had like a foil seal when new, but this has obviously been removed, but has had screw cap on it. Kept in garage above freezing temps. Just did not want to replace all the fluids with stuff no better than whats in the systems.

 

Cheers!

[gazza82]

I think they say 2 years but it is probably somewhere on tinternet.

Then again, they do want to sell more product.

Personally at 3 years, I'd buy fresh and smaller quantities.

[nicklouse]

dont forget the fluid in your car is open to the atmosphere all of the time. in the closed bottle it is not. like i said it will be fine.

[MiniBGT]

What cost do you put on safety?  Bin it and buy a new, smaller bottle.

[Swift_General]

If the lid was on tight then there should be no issue as the maximum about of moisture the fluid could absorb would be the very small amount in the air space above the fluid. As above, fluid in a car is constantly exposed to the atmosphere in any case, so to bin fluid that been in an sealed container after 2 years would be to apply a necessarily higher standard. You can always get a tester to measure the moisture content of the fluid.

Edited by Swift_General, 16 January 2018 - 09:21 AM.

[maccers]

Thanks for that, I did get rid of the old stuff in the bottle and get some new stuff. I thought the fluid once in a brake system is also sealed from atmosphere? I cant see anywhere on my bike brake and clutch systems that I changed last night where its open - unless in the caliper or something?

[Swift_General]

Thanks for that, I did get rid of the old stuff in the bottle and get some new stuff. I thought the fluid once in a brake system is also sealed from atmosphere? I cant see anywhere on my bike brake and clutch systems that I changed last night where its open - unless in the caliper or something?

No the only time it will be sealed is when you have your foot on the brake - and even then it will only be the pressurised part of the system that would be temporarily sealed. The cap to the master cylinder is vented - so no different to having fluid in an unsealed bottle. This is needed to allow air into the reservoir as the level drops when pads/shoes wear.

[DJS911]

FWIW I’ve just bought 5 litres of Pagid DOT4 fluid for £15.69 delivered on EBay.

[gazza82]

Thanks for that, I did get rid of the old stuff in the bottle and get some new stuff. I thought the fluid once in a brake system is also sealed from atmosphere? I cant see anywhere on my bike brake and clutch systems that I changed last night where its open - unless in the caliper or something?

There is a small breather hole in the reservoir cap ...

[maccers]

Ah yes, forgot about that, the little plunger thing. Thats on the mini, on the bike though there is no such thing, unless it exists somewhere else on the front, rear brake and clutch systems. 

 

Will be doing the Mini next then my other bike brake and clutch (new lines too - whoo hoo!!!!)