BRAKE FLUID QUALITY TESTER

[EV]

A while back I purchased a brake fluid tester from Harbor Freight Tools which tests the quality of the brake fluid in any car and it worked very well.  Ive been looking all around for a new set and cant seem to find one anywhere.  Anyone out there have any idea where I could get one.  Even though the one I originally got wasnt expensive it worked real good.  Let me know if you have any sugestions besides NAPA, Pep Boys, Autozone Advance Auto or Sears.  THANKS!

[Bill Gauch #23121]

What does it test? I know brake fluid is hydrophilic. I read, once, that brake fluid should be changed every 3-5 years, because of the water it absorbs. Other than that, the only thing "wrong" with break fluid (more accurately, brake systems) is air. If you dont have leaks, you dont get air in a system, assuming it is properly installed to begin with. I could only suggest a google search if you really want to find one. I just cant see testing as a worthwhile replacement for routine inspection and maintenence.

[Geoff Newcombe #4719]

This is a new one on me, never heard of such a thing.  Follow Bills advice.  Did you mispeak (mistype)?  Do you mean a coolant tester?

[Geoff Newcombe #4719]

Might add, I receive and read Harbor Freights catalog often, still never heard of such a thing.

[EV]

BILL!  How will you test your brake fluid on a routine basis,  as you stated, if you dont test if there is water from condensation within the sysem.  Just looking for leaks or air in the system is not enough to be certain your fluid quality is where it suppose be.  This tester is very simple to use and will tell you if there is any need to change the fluid for any reason.  All you do is check your fluid once a year and it will take you about four and a quarter minutes and assume there isnt any leaks or air within the system you should be okay for another year.  Hope you can find one for yourself, I just want another back up since they are so inexpensive.

[John Washburn]

EV,

Im with you. Skinned Knuckles (an excellent restoration magazine) has done an article on this device, guess I will have to go back and see if I can find it.

Generally, I change the fluid, not silicon, every two years.

John Washburn
CLC #1067

[Mike Josephic #3877]

Guys:

I must confess Ive never heard of such a thing.  I know of no way to test brake fluid as you suggest.  Standard brake fluid (diethylene glycol) absorbs water from the air and eventually needs to be flushed and changed.  The only way I would know to check this is to do a boiling point analysis in a lab.  As more water is absorbed, the boiling point goes down leading to brake fade and eventual failure.  This is why brake fluid needs to be changed in our collector cars.

I wrote an article about this very subject in the Self Starter a few years back.  One additional commment -- this does not apply to silicone brake fluid since it cannot absorb water.

Mike

[JohnWashburn]

Folks,

The only company that still makes the test strips is: Phoenix FASCAR Strip Dip Brake Fluid Test Strips.

Amazon.com has it, but it is for a 100 strips. Cant find any quantity less. Wagner used to make these, I think, but no longer.

http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Systems-FASCAR-1-100-Strip-Strips/dp/B000JFJMGO TARGET=_blank>http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Systems-FASCAR-1-100-Strip-Strips/dp/B000JFJMGO

I cant speak to the technical issues but look at:

http://www.v8sho.com/SHO/Brake_Fluid2.htm TARGET=_blank>http://www.v8sho.com/SHO/Brake_Fluid2.htm

http://www.babcox.com/editorial/bf/bf40142.htm TARGET=_blank>http://www.babcox.com/editorial/bf/bf40142.htm

Im thinking if anyone is interested I would the 100 strips and we can share the cost and joy... Unless Mike tells us we are goofy.

John Washburn
CLC 1067

[Geoff Newcombe #4719]

Next time this "brake fluid tester" says it is time to change the fluid, remove the old fluid, flush with Denatured Alcohol, and go with Silicone fluid and forget about it.  Ive done it many times and in MHO it is the only way to go.

[EV]

MIKE:  AS I SAID EARLIER I PURCHASED THIS A FEW YEARS BACK FROM "HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS" AND IT APPEARS THEY DO NOT SELL IT ANYMORE.  I HAVE THE TESTER HERE IN ITS ORIGINAL BOX. IT IS ITEM NO. 43108, BRAKE FLUID TESTER WITH BEEPING ALARM, MADE IN TAIWAN, FOR PROFESSIONAL OR DIY USE AND USES ONE DC-9V BATTERY. WHEN I FIRST GOT IT I TESTED IT IN FRESH NEW BRAKE FLUID AND THE GREEN COLOR INDICATOR FLASHED "GOOD BRAKE FLUID QUALITY".  THEN I PUT A SOME FRESH FLUID MIXED WITH A LITTLE BIT OF WATER AND THE RED COLOR INDICATOR FLASHED "BRAKE FLUID QUALITY IS UNSAFE TO USE".  I CHECKED MY FIVE CARS AND TWO FLUIDS HAD TO BE CHANGED.  I CANT HELP IT IF SOME OF YOU GUYS NEVER HEARD OF THIS TESTER SO NOW WE KNOW THERE IS SOME AROUND SOMEWHERE SO LETS FIND OUT WHERE. iTS VERY CONVENIENT AND EASY TO USE AND IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT FOUR AND A QUARTER MINUTES TO CHECK EACH CAR.  I WENT TO THE NEW "HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS" STORE HERE AND THEY DIDNT KNOW ABOUT IT EITHER BUT SAID THAT DOESNT MEAN THEY DONT CARRY IT FROM THEIR MAIN LOCATION IN CALIFORNIA.  I CALLED THEM BUT THEIR OPERATORS NEED MORE DETAILS TO DETERMINE IF THEY STILL CARRY IT.  I GUESS THE ITEM NO. I HAVE HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED.  WELL GANG, GOOD LUCK IF YOU REALLY WANT ONE!

[Mike Josephic #3877]

EV:

Not meaning to doubt your word or anything -- I do believe you that you have the "tool or tester" but I just doubt (on a technical basis) that it is a good and reliable way to check for deteriorating fluid.

As far as changing over to silicone -- thats the way to
go IMO.  However, one cautionary note.  Any rubber parts that have come in contact with the "old" glycol fluid MUST BE CHANGED when you convert to silicone.  You might be lucky and get away with not doing this, but the rubber seals in the wheel cylinders, master cylinders, etc. will most likely leak and you will be in a world of hurt -- not to say unsafe.  Flushing with methanol is not a foolproof way to prevent this problem, since the old rubbers have already absorbed the glycol and that wont cure the problem. That would be OK to flush out the lines -- but the only safe & sure way is to rebuild the system.  Mike

[John Washburn CLC #1067]

Mike,

Are you pondering my post, or???

John Washburn

[Porter]

Why stop there, how about a power steering and ATF testing kit while we are at it. LOL

Fluids need to be changed periodically.

At least "wasted" brake fluid wont cause any damage to the system, actually corrosion to steel so there you go.

All ends up at the wheel cylinders on the drum brakes anyway in the form of cast iron rust and brown junky fluid, spongy brake pedal, etc. Then the seals leak and contaminate the brake shoes, drums lock up, I hate it when that happens, LOL

I use never-seize on the bleeder screws. I hate it when they snap off when you try to loosen them for brake bleeding.

Porters 2 cents and attempt at humor for the evening.

[Mike Josephic #3877]

John:

Sorry -- do you mean about the test strips?  I never
heard of those and I dont know what / how they would
"test". Chemists use test strips for certain things but
for brake fluid -- I have no idea.

As I said in a previous post and in articles Ive written, brake fluid does need to be changed.  I consider it a maintenance matter just like changing the oil or antifreeze.
About 5-6 years for gylcol fluid would be about the average
life span.  Silicone lasts much longer, since it doesnt
absorb moisture.  

Mike

[John Washbur CLC 1067]

Mike,

I probably was not clear in my earlier post, but I listed two technical articles on this subject:

http://www.v8sho.com/SHO/Brake_Fluid2.htm TARGET=_blank>http://www.v8sho.com/SHO/Brake_Fluid2.htm

http://www.babcox.com/editorial/bf/bf40142.htm TARGET=_blank>http://www.babcox.com/editorial/bf/bf40142.htm

From these it seems like a good idea to use the strips. Was wondering if you might comment on the merits of the articles?

Also, tried to send you an e-mail from your post. E-mail fails...

Thanks

John Washburn

[Jerry Goclan]

I run an auto repair shop & use my brake fluid tester often--you can buy 1 at, Wurthusa.com   look in the index for --BRAKE FLUID TESTER--- its not inexpensive, but if you must have one!!    Jerry

[Geoff Newcombe #4719]

Good reads!

[EV]

JERRY:  I just contacted WURTH and want $60. plus S&H.  I purchased mine for $10.00 from HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS but we have to see if they still have it available.  Ill find out one way or the other.  This one works just as well since I put the test to it by using fresh new fluid and then added a little water and it worked the way it should by flashing not useable.  EV

[EV]

I CALLED "HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS" MAIN WAREHOUSE YESTERDAY AND UNFORTUNATELY THE BRAKE FLUID TESTER IS NOT AVAILABLE ANYMORE.  IF ANY OF YOU GUYS REALLY WANT ONE JUST GO TO "GOOGLE" AND TYPE IN "AUTO BRAKE FLUID TESTER" AND IT WILL TAKE YOU TO QUITE A FEW PLACES TO BUY ONE.  THIS IS AN EXCELLENT TOOL TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS ANY WATER IN YOUR FLUID AND I WOULD THINK ALL OF YOU OUT THERE WOULD BE VERY MUCH CONCERNED.  GOOD LUCK!

[nasser]

I searched ebay and came up with the following:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=BRAKEFLUIDTESTER&category0= TARGET=_blank>http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=BRAKEFLUIDTESTER&category0=

prices ranging from $24.99 to $60.00
Nasser,