In case you're wondering what 11 year old DOT 3 hydraulic fluid looks like...
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 19,660
Likes: 0
In case you're wondering what 11 year old DOT 3 hydraulic fluid looks like...
I'm now a believer in flushing brake and clutch fluids regularly. Julia and Rob came over yesterday and we did brake fluid flushes (well, we never got to Julia's brakes, just spark plugs). Rob did his allroad and I did my Civic.
Here is what came out of the clutch. I am pretty sure this is the original fluid as were the brakes. You know what brake fluid looks like, it's clear with a light tan hue to it. You can't even see through this!
Anybody know where the clutch bleeder valve is on a B6 A4 3.0? I'm going to do that next.
<img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f95/eljimax/IMG_0928.jpg">
Here is what came out of the clutch. I am pretty sure this is the original fluid as were the brakes. You know what brake fluid looks like, it's clear with a light tan hue to it. You can't even see through this!
Anybody know where the clutch bleeder valve is on a B6 A4 3.0? I'm going to do that next.
<img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f95/eljimax/IMG_0928.jpg">
AudiWorld Uber User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 66,965
Likes: 1
You're brave...I wouldn't touch an 11 year old car with original fluid.
Too much crap accumulates in those lines, and when you flush, it moves around. Some of it may harm the master cylinder, some of it may eventually harm the calipers, and it may lodge inside the bleeder valves (if you don't strip them trying to break them free).
At 11 years it's time to use the motto..."if it ain't broke, leave it alone", because you stand a better chance of costing yourself more money by trying to be a meticulous car owner at that stage in the game.
I tried it on my 7 year old Honda...a bunch of crap spewed out of the bleeder...I was happy thinking I was doing a good thing...until the fluid would no longer come out. At that point I buttoned everything up, tested the brakes fearing the worst, and when I discovered they worked, I stopped messing around with the brakes and considered myself lucky.
At 11 years it's time to use the motto..."if it ain't broke, leave it alone", because you stand a better chance of costing yourself more money by trying to be a meticulous car owner at that stage in the game.
I tried it on my 7 year old Honda...a bunch of crap spewed out of the bleeder...I was happy thinking I was doing a good thing...until the fluid would no longer come out. At that point I buttoned everything up, tested the brakes fearing the worst, and when I discovered they worked, I stopped messing around with the brakes and considered myself lucky.
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 19,660
Likes: 0
I was lucky, fluid and debris kept flowing out
Every push of the brake pedal yielded a lot of fluid coming out of the bleeder valve. BTW, the bleeder valves were tight, but a little muscle behind them and they loosened right up.
And honestly, if debris messes up the calipers or the master cylinder, that's fine. It gives me an excuse to upgrade. Integra master cylinder, calipers, rotors, fit right on to my car.
The reason why I flushed though was A) the brake pedal was going down way too far before it would grab. I'm sure 178K miles of fluid has moisture and air in the lines. Second, the clutch was totally empty and needed to be refilled anyway. Once we refilled it (to start the flush), the fliud immediately turned black (from worn out seals, maybe?). We went ahead and kept flushing until the fluid came out clear.
I probably will cost myself money, but if I don't get the proper maintenance done, I'll lose sleep at night. The thought ALWAYS pops in my head that what if someone borrows the car and something goes out on them while they're driving, I'd never forgive myself. So, I try to stay on top of all maintenance items to ensure reliability.
And honestly, if debris messes up the calipers or the master cylinder, that's fine. It gives me an excuse to upgrade. Integra master cylinder, calipers, rotors, fit right on to my car.
The reason why I flushed though was A) the brake pedal was going down way too far before it would grab. I'm sure 178K miles of fluid has moisture and air in the lines. Second, the clutch was totally empty and needed to be refilled anyway. Once we refilled it (to start the flush), the fliud immediately turned black (from worn out seals, maybe?). We went ahead and kept flushing until the fluid came out clear.
I probably will cost myself money, but if I don't get the proper maintenance done, I'll lose sleep at night. The thought ALWAYS pops in my head that what if someone borrows the car and something goes out on them while they're driving, I'd never forgive myself. So, I try to stay on top of all maintenance items to ensure reliability.
Trending Topics
AudiWorld Stories
Bringing Audi to Life for Audi Fans
2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7: Audi Upgraded EVERYTHING!
Michael S. Palmer
Audi Unveils Absurdly Cool New Supercar: 10 Things You Need to Know!
Verdad Gallardo
The Highs & Lows of Every Audi C-Class Generation
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!
Joe Kucinski