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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Brake Fluid shelf life?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bullitt347
  • Start date Start date Monday at 5:32 PM

Bullitt347

I have been doing it wrong this whole time
15 Year Member
Mar 23, 2007
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Monday at 5:32 PM
#1
  • Monday at 5:32 PM
  • #1
I got this can of brake fluid about 12 years ago.
It has been stored in a climate controlled garage ever since.
I see no "expiration date" on the can.
Would you use this brake fluid?





At the time the State of Washington decided that they could not have a brake fluid be any color other than a clear/yellow.
This stuff is Blue. I think they were afraid of people thinking it was washer fluid or something stupid like that.
It was used primarily in road race applications, typically we would use it in Lotus Elise/Exige that saw a lot of track duty/open track events.
The State was making all the shops that had it dump it out and we were not allowed to use/sell it.
I "stole" this can and took it home and have had it ever since.
Thinking of using it in my Drag Race Mustang as the fluid is rated for very high temps.
What say you?
Use it or dump it.
 

LILCBRA

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air
Mod Dude
Dec 6, 2005
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Monday at 5:40 PM
#2
  • Monday at 5:40 PM
  • #2
If it's not been opened I'd guess that you'd probably be alright. But if it's been opened I may be hesitant. Humidity can affect it since brake fluid is hygroscopic, so it would depend on how well the can's seal protected it.
 
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Bullitt347

I have been doing it wrong this whole time
15 Year Member
Mar 23, 2007
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Monday at 5:45 PM
#3
  • Monday at 5:45 PM
  • #3
LILCBRA said:
If it's not been opened I'd guess that you'd probably be alright. But if it's been opened I may be hesitant. Humidity can affect it since brake fluid is hygroscopic, so it would depend on how well the can's seal protected it.
Click to expand...
Original, unopened.
I suppose I could open it and see how it looks. But don't want to do that until I am actually ready to use it.
The can shows no rust/corrosion on the outside. I imagine the inside is just as well preserved.
 
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91AOD5.0LX

I have a slight sag in my rear
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Monday at 5:46 PM
#4
  • Monday at 5:46 PM
  • #4
I would dump it and not look back
 
Reactions: General karthief

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever
15 Year Member
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Monday at 7:05 PM
#5
  • Monday at 7:05 PM
  • #5
Dump it!
 

Blackhawkxx

Mustang Master
Mar 3, 2023
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Monday at 7:48 PM
#6
  • Monday at 7:48 PM
  • #6
Bullitt347 said:
Thinking of using it in my Drag Race Mustang as the fluid is rated for very high temps.
What say you?
Use it or dump it.
Click to expand...
You really don't need super high heat rated brake fluid in a drag car like you would on a road race car. In your case changing it often is probably more important than the special fluid.
 
Reactions: Mcmahst and LILCBRA

rednotch

I'd like to remain having one chocolate starfish
Founding Member
Aug 14, 2000
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Monday at 7:59 PM
#7
  • Monday at 7:59 PM
  • #7
Free paint stripper at this point......
 
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Qtrhrse23

Active Member
Jul 2, 2024
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Monday at 10:19 PM
#8
  • Monday at 10:19 PM
  • #8
Check it out. Might be OK. Get rid of it if it has moisture. But if its all brown, try it. Its just brake fluid. Hydraulic/brake fluid lasts forever.

Was that number on the front a date code? 04.2016
 
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O

OX1

Active Member
Apr 16, 2014
54
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Tuesday at 2:39 AM
#9
  • Tuesday at 2:39 AM
  • #9
Could try on of these on it............

Amazon.com: OBDKCAN Brake Fluid Tester High-Precision Brake Fluid Moisture Tester with 8.5" Gooseneck Probe Digital Brake Fluid Test Tool with Light Data Hold Backlight, Testing for DOT3, DOT4, DOT5.1 : Automotive

Amazon.com: OBDKCAN Brake Fluid Tester High-Precision Brake Fluid Moisture Tester with 8.5" Gooseneck Probe Digital Brake Fluid Test Tool with Light Data Hold Backlight, Testing for DOT3, DOT4, DOT5.1 : Automotive
www.amazon.com
 
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Bullitt347

I have been doing it wrong this whole time
15 Year Member
Mar 23, 2007
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Tuesday at 5:26 AM
#10
  • Tuesday at 5:26 AM
  • #10
Qtrhrse23 said:
Check it out. Might be OK. Get rid of it if it has moisture. But if its all brown, try it. Its just brake fluid. Hydraulic/brake fluid lasts forever.

Was that number on the front a date code? 04.2016
Click to expand...
Nice catch.
Probably is a date code.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
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Tuesday at 8:29 AM
#11
  • Tuesday at 8:29 AM
  • #11
Metal sealed can would prob fare better than a plastic bottle, but I still wouldn't use it. Really it all comes down to if moisture was able to permeate the can.
 
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Bullitt347

I have been doing it wrong this whole time
15 Year Member
Mar 23, 2007
4,012
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Middle of Maine
Tuesday at 8:58 AM
#12
  • Tuesday at 8:58 AM
  • #12
Worse case I will just keep the can as a conversation piece.
I mean, how often do you find Blue Brake Fluid?
 
Reactions: nickyb, DadLife0724 and General karthief

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
Mod Dude
Aug 25, 2016
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Tuesday at 9:09 AM
#13
  • Tuesday at 9:09 AM
  • #13
Yeah....you're gonna bet your life, limb and the cost of your ride on 10 year old brake fluid ?
DOT 3 or 4 will work in your car, major difference is 4 has a higher boiling point vrs the 3 and the 3 will absorb less moisture than 4.
Street car you won't know the difference.
10 year old brake fluid is a no-go for me don't care what color it is.
 
Reactions: 91AOD5.0LX

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,327
18,052
224
Massachusetts
Tuesday at 11:26 AM
#14
  • Tuesday at 11:26 AM
  • #14
Bullitt347 said:
I mean, how often do you find Blue Brake Fluid?
Click to expand...

They have dyes you can add to brake fluid for the same effect. I have a small bottle of it somewhere but it turns the brake fluid bright blue.

I forget what i used it for
 

DadLife0724

Advanced Member
Mar 22, 2024
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Cooperstown, PA
Tuesday at 11:35 AM
#15
  • Tuesday at 11:35 AM
  • #15
Mustang5L5 said:
They have dyes you can add to brake fluid for the same effect. I have a small bottle of it somewhere but it turns the brake fluid bright blue.

I forget what i used it for
Click to expand...
I bet you used it to dye brake fluid blue.
 
Reactions: Mustang5L5, Blackhawkxx and gkomo

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever
15 Year Member
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Tuesday at 12:12 PM
#16
  • Tuesday at 12:12 PM
  • #16
Its good for leak detection
 
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