MOT advisory for brake fluid

[toddler]

My car is in for an MOT today. The garage just called to say it's passed, but there's an advisory for brake fluid. Apparently "it needs changed because it's black and emulsified".

I had the brake fluid changed last September when it was in for the timing belt and water pump. Is there any reason it would need changed again so soon, or are they trying to shaft me? I suspect I know the answer.

[kambites]

It would be a bloody stupid thing for them to lie about, because it's not hard to look at it and see what colour it is.

If anything I'd say it's more likely the garage you paid last September didn't actually bother to change it.

[scorcher]

You'll know the answer when you look at it. Was it deinitely changed in September? Did you check?

[toddler]

I will take a look at the brake fluid when I pick the car up. Apologies for being a numpty, but what colour should it be after 7 months, assuming it was actually changed last September?

[Jimbo_vx]

So you think you're being fleased but you don't actually know what it should be anyway.

Well done.

If i were you, i'd just do what they say, anything else sounds like a disaster.

[toddler]

Jimbo_vx said:

So you think you're being fleased but you don't actually know what it should be anyway.

Well done.

If i were you, i'd just do what they say, anything else sounds like a disaster.

Hi Jimbo

I paid a garage to change the brake fluid last September. I put the car into a different garage today for an MOT and they've advised the brake fluid is "black and emulsified". I'm not a mechanic, but I would expect brake fluid to last more that seven months, surely?

[kambites]

It should be a sort of translucent pale gold, something like olive oil. At least all the brake fluid that I've used has been.

[monthefish]

doogz said:

Jimbo_vx said:

So you think you're being fleased but you don't actually know what it should be anyway.

Well done.

If i were you, i'd just do what they say, anything else sounds like a disaster.

Bit out of line. He was told it was changed less than a year ago, if it's as bad as he's being told it is, someone's been messing him around.

Not a 'bit out of line' - completely uncalled for.
What an unpleasant areshole.

[HustleRussell]

Guys, how about we just try to answer the question?

Seven Month old brake fluid should look pretty much the same as brand new, probably a little darker owing to the braking hydraulic system not being completely clean. That's fine.
Brake fluid does not go black unless it has been contaminated by something else.
'Emulsion' describes a mix of oil and water.
Unless the fluid was never changed by the previous mechanic, you're being taken for a ride by your MOT tester.
Take the cap off, have a look and report back. The fluid should be somewhere between petrol and olive oil in colour, and perfectly clear.

[new_bloke]

Jimbo_vx said:

So you think you're being fleased but you don't actually know what it should be anyway.

Well done.

If i were you, i'd just do what they say, anything else sounds like a disaster.

So, you think you're being clever, but you can't be bothered to check how to spell 'fleeced'.

Well done.

[toddler]

kambites said:

It should be a sort of translucent pale gold, something like olive oil. At least all the brake fluid that I've used has been.

Cheers, kambites. I take it they've just looked in the brake fluid resevoir the same as I'm going to do? Any chance they would have bled a bit of fluid from the bleed nipple and that is coming out black, or should the fluid be the same throughout the system?

[toddler]

HustleRussell said:

Guys, how about we just try to answer the question?

Seven Month old brake fluid should look pretty much the same as brand new, probably a little darker owing to the braking hydraulic system not being completely clean. That's fine.
Brake fluid does not go black unless it has been contaminated by something else.
'Emulsion' describes a mix of oil and water.
Unless the fluid was never changed by the previous mechanic, you're being taken for a ride by your MOT tester.
Take the cap off, have a look and report back. The fluid should be somewhere between petrol and olive oil in colour, and perfectly clear.

Will do, HR. Cheers.

[kambites]

I'd guess they've just checked the reservoir.

[FoundOnRoadside]

I'd a 106 with a dodgy servo, whatever it was doing it was cooking the brake fluid. The fluid in the bottle was black and lumpy. New servo, complete flush and it was fine after that. That was on a 4 month old car.

[new_bloke]

Jimbo_vx said:

So you think you're being fleased but you don't actually know what it should be anyway.

Well done.

If i were you, i'd just do what they say, anything else sounds like a disaster.

So, you think you're being clever, but you can't be bothered to check how to spell 'fleeced'.

Well done.

[A2Z]

Just looked at your profile. Is it the GTI or the Eunos you are talking about (I see you have recently swapped). If the latter, they may be looking at the clutch fluid reservoir.

[toddler]

A2Z said:

Just looked at your profile. Is it the GTI or the Eunos you are talking about (I see you have recently swapped). If the latter, they may be looking at the clutch fluid reservoir.

Hi A2Z. It's the Golf.

[CDP]

toddler said:

Hi Jimbo

I paid a garage to change the brake fluid last September. I put the car into a different garage today for an MOT and they've advised the brake fluid is "black and emulsified". I'm not a mechanic, but I would expect brake fluid to last more that seven months, surely?

Definitely should last better than that. Normally I get mine done every couple of years and it's about £30 to £50 as part of a service. Black or emulsified fluid suggests contamination but if they haven't seen any leaks or splits anywhere this is a little odd. If you've got drum brakes it might be worth looking at the slave cylinders.

Is the pedal spongy?

[toddler]

CDP said:

Definitely should last better than that. Normally I get mine done every couple of years and it's about £30 to £50 as part of a service. Black or emulsified fluid suggests contamination but if they haven't seen any leaks or splits anywhere this is a little odd. If you've got drum brakes it might be worth looking at the slave cylinders.

Is the pedal spongy?

Hi CDP

It's an 07 Golf GTI with discs all round. Not at all spongy.

[CDP]

toddler said:

Hi CDP

It's an 07 Golf GTI with discs all round. Not at all spongy.

At 4 to 5 years old surprised the fluid is gunky even if it were original. Have the brakes become very hot due to a seized up cylinder or trackday perhaps?

Getting the fluid changed is pretty cheap, I wouldn't bother doing it myself as garages have it "on tap" and have pressure bleeding systems. If there's no sign of damage to the system get it changed and check regularly perhaps?