Shelf Life?

[loud2004marquis]

Crazy question here. Was rummaging through the garage and found two quarts of unopened Valvoline Mercon V purchased about 10 years ago. I know brake fluid goes bad after it's opened, but in the case of this sealed transmission fluid, you think it would be safe to use?

[Fastbob]

It probably is safe to use, but I wouldn't chance it over 2 cheap quarts of fluid.

[alumarine]

Yes, it will be fine.
Considering it can be sitting in a transmission for 20 years and still work.

[Joe Walsh]

Yes, it will be fine.
Considering it can be sitting in a transmission for 20 years and still work.

^^^ THIS ^^^^

[fastblackmerc]

^^^ THIS ^^^^

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ +2.

[loud2004marquis]

Thank you for the perspective gents!

[GreekGod]

" ... I know brake fluid goes bad after it's opened ... "

Please explain how and why brake fluid "goes bad" after it is opened.

Since it is hygroscopic, when it absorbs water, it turns dark when/if contaminated.

I have never disposed of any brake fluid left over in a can. I just put the cap back on. Once resealed, I have never had any get dark. The cans do not have an expiration date on them.

[MyBlackBeasts]

Given I've used opened but capped off BF bottles for 43 years with no issues I think this subject can be over-thought. Also must consider the vehicle it's going in. I've no problem using an opened bottle on a beater or DD I didn't care about, my MM or SS is different. Only fresh bottle for them and the leftover goes to the winter beater.

http://knowhow.napaonline.com/understanding-brake-fluid-shelf-life-important-auto-essentials/
Brake Fluid and MoistureBrake fluid shelf life is directly related to the amount of moisture it’s exposed to after the bottle has been opened. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means it attracts and absorbs water from the surrounding atmosphere. The more water that it absorbs, the less effective it becomes when introduced into your vehicle’s braking system. With water in the mix, the boiling point of brake fluid can be greatly reduced, which given the pressures it’s under during braking translates into less effective stopping power and a spongy brake pedal.
Opened vs. UnopenedWhen a bottle of brake fluid leaves the factory, it’s sealed so that it doesn’t come into contact with any outside air that might also contain moisture. Most brake fluid manufacturers state that a sealed bottle has no set expiration date. In a sense, the fluid doesn’t break down over time and offers the same level of performance even after years on the shelf.
An open bottle is a different story. Even if you’ve only poured a little out of the bottle, you’ve still introduced moisture into the equation, and the chemical process of absorbing that liquid from the air has begun. Most manufacturers recommend that any open bottle of DOT brake fluid (https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/PARAS400Y?cid=social_blog_0520 16_brakefluid) should be used within 12 months, or else discarded. Keep in mind that a full year is the very outside limit of what would be acceptable. A three-month period is more likely to offer a better limit of safety in terms of keeping the boiling point near its original level.

[a_d_a_m]

If my wagon can run on some 30 year-old Amoco LDO that was unopened and found in a barn...I'm sure a couple quarts of decade-old trans fluid are fine (esp. for the reason listed above)

[MyBlackBeasts]

ATF is like engine oil, no expiration date. If it was mine I'd use it in the DD or beater.

[Ken]

Ok, why does it not go bad in my master cylinder/lines? it doesn't seemed to be any better sealed than the can.

[MyBlackBeasts]

Ok, why does it not go bad in my master cylinder/lines? it doesn't seemed to be any better sealed than the can.

If you keep the master full, very little is exposed to air but even then it will go bad over time causing the corrosion of caliper and wheel cylinder bores which is why (if you care about the car) you should flush the system every couple/few years.

Otherwise, maintenance takes care of it, brake job which requires replacing caliper/wheel cyls = bleed system = starting with fresh fluid.

[GreekGod]

I was told that with it's humidity, vehicles in Hawaii should have their brake fluid changed on a yearly basis. Perhaps someone familiar with Hawaii can comment?

As far as an opened bottle of brake fluid being contaminated from being opened for 10 minutes or so, how much moisture do you think would be absorbed? Even IF a tiny amount is absorbed, it would not impair the fluids usefulness, unless or until the fluid darkened. My SWAG is the boiling point would be lowered by 10F degrees.

The brake fluid in the master cylinder reservoir is always vented to atmosphere. It can absorb exponentially more moisture in a day or two, depending on humidity, than a bottle opened for 10 minutes!

Ergo, for all Marauder owners who wish to guard against their brake fluid constantly gaining a lowered boiling point, get yourself a turkey baster, and use it to change the fluid in your reservoir on a weekly basis, and bleed the whole system (including the ABS parts) on perhaps a 3 month basis.

Note: to bleed the ABS parts of your brake system, I must warn everyone that you will need a special factory type tool or a $2,000 hand held programmer to cycle the ABS solenoids.

When you are driving aggressively on the street, stop to check and see if your rotors are glowing orange or red. If they are, and your pedal feels spongy or weak, you waited too long to change the fluid!

[MyBlackBeasts]

Note: to bleed the ABS parts of your brake system, I must warn everyone that you will need a special factory type tool or a $2,000 hand held programmer to cycle the ABS solenoids.



They now make low cost consumer units that will cycle the ABS. I got this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P621KR1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00 _s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I haven't used it yet but watched a guy use it on a YT vid

[GreekGod]

They now make low cost consumer units that will cycle the ABS. I got this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P621KR1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00 _s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for the info - I have been periodically checking for just such a bleeder tool, and noticed the prices have been coming down on them, with newer models being introduced.

The one in the link looks like it could be the one to buy. I see Amazon indicates it was first available with them on 2-28-2019.
It has the typical % of bad reviews, warnings, and comments. Autel is a major supplier and has been around for a while.

The ad warning is ridiculous:

"Auto bleeding are NOT universally compatible with all vehicles! If you are confused about the vehicle coverage or need any tech support, please send us back your detail car model, year, VIN number(s) and what functions you need, you will get the available solution in 12 hours"

Why cannot these OEM and aftermarket manufacturers get their act together and make OBD a truly universal and workable system of diagnostics and repair?

[justbob]

Thanks for the info - I have been periodically checking for just such a bleeder tool, and noticed the prices have been coming down on them, with newer models being introduced.

The one in the link looks like it could be the one to buy. I see Amazon indicates it was first available with them on 2-28-2019.
It has the typical % of bad reviews, warnings, and comments. Autel is a major supplier and has been around for a while.

The ad warning is ridiculous:

"Auto bleeding are NOT universally compatible with all vehicles! If you are confused about the vehicle coverage or need any tech support, please send us back your detail car model, year, VIN number(s) and what functions you need, you will get the available solution in 12 hours"

Why cannot these OEM and aftermarket manufacturers get their act together and make OBD a truly universal and workable system of diagnostics and repair?

I’d assume differences in actual key component software commands/parameters.


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