High brake fluid level?

Any opinions.

Took my 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX for a brake inspection and fluid (brake and clutch) flush. The shop performed the service with 4-1/2

250ml cans of Motorex DOT 5.1 fluid that I brought in myself. They left me one half-empty can, which I figured could be used if I needed to top off in a week.

When I got home, I checked the fluid level in the resevoirs. The engine and brakes were warm and the car was level. I had a hard time figuring out where the level was. The Motorex fluid has virtually no color, while others used in my cars have been amber, brownish, or purpleish.

I finally spotted where the level was - fairly high over the max line. Would it be worth it to remove some of the fluid with a turkey baster? I know the level might go down as the pads wear.

Reply to
y_p_w
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Reply to
Shep

I've always had it done every 15K miles, just as a preventative measure. I figure I'll have it done every 15K miles and never over 2 years. Besides that, I know that brake fluid absorbs moisture and the car was built 9/03.

Reply to
y_p_w

"Shep" wrote in news:427027ba$1_1@127.0.0.1:

Because it's an excellent, superb idea.

Annual fluid changes will see your master cylinder last virtually forever. I did (and do) the same thing.

Reply to
TeGGeR®

Reply to
Shep

Most Japanese carmakers recommend brake fluid changes in the 2 to 3 year range for "normal" service. My Subaru warranty booklet recommends it every 30K miles or 30 months. Strangely enough, Toyota doesn't have any recommendation.

I'd be worried about going the life of a car with the brake fluid below the DOT 3 wet boiling point. It's not simply that moisture in the brake fluid is going to lead to contamination, but also that the boiling point has gone down as a result.

Reply to
y_p_w

"y_p_w" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

Either way, it's an excellent idea to replace the fluid once per year, especially if you live (as I do) in an area with high humidity.

It's cheap, too.

You are to be commended for paying appropriate attention to your brake components. Would that others thought as you.

Reply to
TeGGeR®

I was charged .5 hour labor for the flush. Not super cheap, but less than the dealer would have charged.

I certainly have this done on my own cars. Which reminds me that I should probably insist on getting my folks to do the same with their cars. My dad's '96 Regal hasn't gotten a brake fluid flush yet. The folks' Camry is a 2001.

If there's any corrosion, then it's probably too late. It still seems like a good idea to get that "wet" brake fluid out of there. That Buick stops like crap in the first place. It doesn't need wet fluid to make it worse.

Reply to
y_p_w

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