Dark Brake Fluid
#1
Advanced
Thread Starter
Dark Brake Fluid
The brake fluid in these cars seems to turn black. In looking at these cars, the online sales sites usually have a picture with the hood open. Many have dark or black brake fluid. The fluid in my '03 with 70k is just starting to take on a little dark tint. Since it has been over 2 years since it has been flushed, I will be having it done in a few weeks. Does anyone know why this happens and anything I can do to prevent it or delay it? Maybe replace the cap or use a certain type of brake fluid?
#2
Lexus Fanatic
My opinion is black means it may have gone well over 2 years.
From my research, the color should be clear to golden? I had mine flushed at Lexus, and oddly I was only charged $59 (less than a muffler shop). I have a Motive but I don't have a Japanese adapter, or I would have DIY'd. My hunch, based on the price, and based on the time that they physically had the car, is that they simply exchanged the reservoir. Or, maybe they bled out one caliper (I get the drain/fill on the tranny, but imho these other fluids should be completely extracted/exchanged). Because the fluid got darker over a week or so, my hunch is only a portion was replaced. Anyway, 2 years is a good rule to follow as far as replacing brake fluid on any car, because it is hygroscopic, i.e. absorbs water. My BMW fluid is clear, but it is dot 4 synthetic, and I believe the LS is dot 3, so I've decided to not worry about the color and accept golden and dark golden...but I think I will DIY all 4 calipers next time, so I know it's done correctly and not half baked...
p.s. if we really wanted to we could test the old fluid, there are test strips that can be purchased, just that I wonder what benefit it is other than "nice to know," since brake fluid is relatively cheap....I was told that not replacing brake fluid allows its boiling temp to be less favorable, as well as rusting the system from the inside out. When I did my alignment, I came upon an argument by a customer accusing Firestone of padding services, when they replaced someone's brake fluid. They said they would remove the charges, but the customer was still yapping, so I decided to chime in and state my opinion on the 2 yr....
From my research, the color should be clear to golden? I had mine flushed at Lexus, and oddly I was only charged $59 (less than a muffler shop). I have a Motive but I don't have a Japanese adapter, or I would have DIY'd. My hunch, based on the price, and based on the time that they physically had the car, is that they simply exchanged the reservoir. Or, maybe they bled out one caliper (I get the drain/fill on the tranny, but imho these other fluids should be completely extracted/exchanged). Because the fluid got darker over a week or so, my hunch is only a portion was replaced. Anyway, 2 years is a good rule to follow as far as replacing brake fluid on any car, because it is hygroscopic, i.e. absorbs water. My BMW fluid is clear, but it is dot 4 synthetic, and I believe the LS is dot 3, so I've decided to not worry about the color and accept golden and dark golden...but I think I will DIY all 4 calipers next time, so I know it's done correctly and not half baked...
p.s. if we really wanted to we could test the old fluid, there are test strips that can be purchased, just that I wonder what benefit it is other than "nice to know," since brake fluid is relatively cheap....I was told that not replacing brake fluid allows its boiling temp to be less favorable, as well as rusting the system from the inside out. When I did my alignment, I came upon an argument by a customer accusing Firestone of padding services, when they replaced someone's brake fluid. They said they would remove the charges, but the customer was still yapping, so I decided to chime in and state my opinion on the 2 yr....
#4
Lexus Fanatic
hmmm...this sounds like it could be way more economical! I thought the adapter costs just a little less than an entire unit if one finds a low price....I have the premium one for Euro cars.....it's like a metallic maroon billet cap....
#7
I am a little shocked that your dealer only charged $59. dollars .every time a call a dealer about anything they have a min. I hour charge of $135. U must have a special dealer.Lucky you
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#9
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Thread Starter
I don't need them. I had them on my previous cars ('97 LS400 and '02 LS430) and liked them. Brakes are firmer. they are a nice to, not a need to. Some believe that after 14 years, the hoses deteriorate resulting in the black tint. While I am not sure about that, they were available at a good price (about $80 for a complete set of Stop-tech hoses) and the brake fluid needs to be done. It is also a good chance to try out a (new to me) independent mechanic that a friend recommended.
Last edited by LS430Lexus; 05-06-17 at 06:34 AM.
#10
Pole Position
The brake fluid in these cars seems to turn black. In looking at these cars, the online sales sites usually have a picture with the hood open. Many have dark or black brake fluid. The fluid in my '03 with 70k is just starting to take on a little dark tint. Since it has been over 2 years since it has been flushed, I will be having it done in a few weeks. Does anyone know why this happens and anything I can do to prevent it or delay it? Maybe replace the cap or use a certain type of brake fluid?
The following 2 users liked this post by Doublebase:
Jabberwock (05-06-17),
LS430Lexus (05-07-17)
#11
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Thread Starter
Good information, thank you for posting it. It may be overkill but it is time to change the fluid. I like opening the hood and seeing a clean engine bay with nice honey colored brake fluid in the reservoir.
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