cloudy brake fluid

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
15,581
1
76
i recently bled/flushed my brakes and afterward i noticed a small, white cloud suspended in the reservoir. I siphoned out the reservoir, refilled it, and today i notice a similar cloud. What is causing this?
 

Rinaun

Golden Member
Dec 30, 2005
1,196
1
81
Air bubbles i would think. Let it sit and bleed the brake system.
 

DaTT

Garage Moderator
Moderator
Feb 13, 2003
13,295
120
106
By bled/flushed, do you just mean bled or completely flushed out the system?

ps. I farted while typing this and it smells like rotten eggs :(
 

db

Lifer
Dec 6, 1999
10,575
292
126
Keep the cap on while waiting, otherwise the fluid absorbs water from the air. You do not want water in your hydraulic fluid b/c it will rust your brake parts.
 

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
15,581
1
76
Originally posted by: SupaDupaCheez
how old is the car and when was the last time the brake fluid was changed?

03 at 60k miles, never changed before. :eek:

I don't believe it's possible for home pseudo mechanics to completely flush out the system all at once. I basically just bled/pumped out a wheel, refill then moved on to next.
 

SupaDupaCheez

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2000
2,034
0
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If it's still under warranty, I would just take it in to have it checked.
If not, then take it to a reputable garage and show them what you are concerned about. They will most likely not charge you for 'diagnosis' or a very minimal charge.

I don't know about 'newer' cars but I do know that there is usually a 'sequence' you have to follow for bleeding the brakes.

For my '70 Chevelle, you bleed the wheel furthest from the resevoir and finish with the closest.

Garage's and Dealerships will usually have a special tool to vacuum bleed the brakes in about 10 minutes or less. Brakes are nothing to mess around with if you are not 100% sure of what you are doing.
 

Minjin

Platinum Member
Jan 18, 2003
2,208
1
81
Originally posted by: OS
Originally posted by: SupaDupaCheez
how old is the car and when was the last time the brake fluid was changed?

03 at 60k miles, never changed before. :eek:

I don't believe it's possible for home pseudo mechanics to completely flush out the system all at once. I basically just bled/pumped out a wheel, refill then moved on to next.

Umm. Thats exactly what mechanics do. Start at the wheel furthest from the master cylinder. Pump until the fluid is fresh (this is why some brake fluids are sold in two different colors). Move to the next wheel closest to the MC. Repeat. You only bleed at the MC or ABS pump if you are having problems.

Mark
 

SupaDupaCheez

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2000
2,034
0
0
you have to be careful though. Some cars (Depending on FWD or RWD or other configurations) use different bleeding techniques:

RR, LR, RF, LF
RR, RF, LR, LF

It really depends on your car's specific setup.