FordExcursions.com Forums
Bruce Coyne
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• Fircrest, WA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/6/2003 |
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• 12 posts |
• 1
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 Posted:3/11/2003 12:07 |
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The service department showed me a strip of litmus paper that they dipped in my brake fluid. According to the color, it indicated that my brake fluid needed flushing and replacement. I can't recall ever replacing brake fluid in amy of my cars except during routine brake pad replacements. Is this test legit? |
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RS-TX
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• Little River, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 11/22/2002 |
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• 298 posts |
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Posted:3/11/2003 13:07 |
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Hey, Bruce.
I can't give a sure answer, but I do know that brake fluid will absorb water and reduce braking effectivness over time. I've heard of people changing their fluid, but not any concrete schedule. Depending on how old your X is, the fluid may very well need to be changed. I have had a very good relationship with my service dept. and have no reason to doubt them. If they told me that I would likely consent to the change. If it's only a few bucks, why not. Now, OTOH, if they want $300 or something to do it, I might have to think about it.
Let us know what you find out.
Rick
2004 VW Jetta TDI |
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Dave Sullivan
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• Kitchener, XX, Canada |
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• Registered on 2/27/2003 |
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• 199 posts |
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Posted:3/11/2003 13:37 |
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Anything doing Ambulance service has to have the brake fluid changed every 2 years.
The water absorption causes the lines to rot from the inside out. I didn't see anything about the litimus paper test in the book but it makes sense. Perhaps you should direct your question directly to ford and see what they say. I am interested to find out what the actual service life of brake fluid is as well since I could not get an answer out of my dealers service dept. 
Dave. |
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monsta
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• The Big Island, HI, USA |
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• Registered on 1/5/2002 |
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• 1,056 posts |
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Posted:3/11/2003 17:42 |
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I change brake fluid in my motorcycle(s) every 2 years. Same fluid, same type of system. But it is a heck of a lot smaller and easier to do!!
It seems like good insurance to me. HOWEVER, I have never changed it in my truck (77K) or my van (177K!) and have no detectable negative effects. I looked into having it done on my van but nobody would do it. They said it was so "old" that they were afraid that some "gunk" would dislodge and screw up the works.
My "advice" is to change it regularly (bi-yearly). I will change mine in my truck when I get to Hawaii. My van is a hopeless case, the stuff is in there forever.
I figure if you get into the habit of doing it now, it [i]could[/i] save you headache down the road. But then again, how many of us really have done it regularly in the past (on our cars and trucks) and have suffered ill effects in the vehicle's normal service life?
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