Brake fluid is a tea-like color???

[vagt6]

I overhauled the brake system last summer, new master cylinder and front calipers. Everything went in well, bled them nicely, brakes are fine.

And, I put in Valvoline DOT 3 & 4 brake fluid. Is this stuff correct for the car? Is there a DOT 4 (not 3 & 4) fluid I should use??

The reason why I ask is the fluid in the master cylinder has taken on a very light brownish color, a bit like weak tea.

What's going on? Is this fluid eating my rubber bits in the brake system? Any ideas?

Thanks, gents.

 

[dklawson]

I would say that with regular DOT-3, turning an amber color is part of the "normal" aging process of the fluid as it takes on moisture. I don't know if that is typical of DOT-4 or the fluid you are using. I can say with some confidence that the tea color is not the seals. I have seen fluid turn black and cloudy from old seals disintegrating.

 

[RickB]

Sounds more like water and rust than seals.
Like Doug said, that usually turns it black.

 

[vagt6]

Rick, Doug, thanks for the input.

I may just give the MC a good flush and bleed and put new fluid in. Of course that depends on if I can bribe my neighbor (again) with beer to pump the clutch pedal for me.

Anyone else?

 

[RickB]

I would not pump beer with a clutch pedal, perhaps with a siphon?
I generally use a tank of CO2 and a tap.
Gee - is it Friday?

 

[Guest]

Yes, it's tea. You know how the English like their tea.

 

[vagt6]

One lump or two?

:lol:

 

[DWeeB]

I got one of them vacuum pump bleeders so I can do it my self and keep my beer!

 

[ralph_s]

Buy a mightyvac and you'll wonder why you didn't get it years ago. It's a great tool. But you will wind up dinking alone......

 

[61frogeye]

I use a Gunson Eezibleed, works great.

 

[jlaird]

I use my wife, she has been bleeding brakes for over 40 years.

 

[rkep01]

I use my wife, she has been bleeding brakes for over 40 years.

Jack, does she tell you when you can let your foot off the pedal?