Dirty Brake Fluid

IrishCoffee · 02-18-2018, 11:27 AM

Anyone else's brake fluid looking really dirty? I flushed it and put in Motul RBF 600 in October. Had one track day, then took a look at it a couple weeks ago and was shocked to see it looking dark brown.

I bought another couple bottles of RBF 600 and attempted flushing it through with my power bleeder, but it is still pretty brown. Not sure how to get all the grime out there without a professional setup.

Funny thing is there were no bubbles or anything when I flushed it. Seemed like it was just dirty.

Pollock · 02-19-2018, 10:09 AM

I flushed mine yesterday with 900 miles. The calipers came out a bit cloudy at first. Also having the clutch linked into the brakes also makes it get dirty quicker.

seanblurr · 02-19-2018, 10:23 AM

Heat will often change the color a bit in my experience. Perhaps when you were on track you hit the ABS a few times which pushed some of the old fluid out of the solenoid back into the system and that may have changed the color a tad as well.

kropscamaro16 · 02-19-2018, 10:39 AM

brake fluid doesnt stay clean as soon as its in the system it gets dirty but as long as it doesnt look like turkey gravy its fine lol i mean i usually do a full flush and refill once a year or so

Boost Creep · 02-19-2018, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pollock

I flushed mine yesterday with 900 miles. The calipers came out a bit cloudy at first. Also having the clutch linked into the brakes also makes it get dirty quicker.

If the clutch and brake fluid are together, that's where the dirt is coming from. Every time the clutch slave cylinder cycles it picks up a little clutch dust. Every LS powered vehicle I've ever owned I flush the clutch fluid every oil change. I would try to do the same with the Camaro, even if you are just sucking out the MC and refilling.

IrishCoffee · 02-19-2018, 12:48 PM

Intersting. I've performed brake fluid flushes on several of my past vehicles and have never seen it look so brown. The fluid on my 14 1LE was a bit darker after track usage, but this is ridiculous. It was like the color of coke.

booyaa56 · 02-19-2018, 03:32 PM

I got the same thing going on as well, Boost Creep how do I go about flushing the clutch fluid?

Boost Creep · 02-19-2018, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booyaa56

I got the same thing going on as well, Boost Creep how do I go about flushing the clutch fluid?

If the clutch and brake fluid are in the same reservoir then sucking out the master cylinder and refilling with fresh fluid, followed by a good bleeding should clean out the fluid pretty good.

At work I have a vacuum bleeder, by you might be able to get away with a turkey baster type thing. Just be careful as brake fluid is great at removing paint.

booyaa56 · 02-19-2018, 04:59 PM

I do use a Motive power bleeder, so I guess I’ll give it a good flush to get it cleaned out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boost Creep

If the clutch and brake fluid are in the same reservoir then sucking out the master cylinder and refilling with fresh fluid, followed by a good bleeding should clean out the fluid pretty good.

At work I have a vacuum bleeder, by you might be able to get away with a turkey baster type thing. Just be careful as brake fluid is great at removing paint.

DenverTaco07 · 09-01-2019, 06:04 PM

my fluid is turning dark after a few laps at the track. I flushed a couple weeks ago in preperation using rbf 600. Guess it's a good idea to flush after each track day.

TrackClub · 09-02-2019, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DenverTaco07

my fluid is turning dark after a few laps at the track. I flushed a couple weeks ago in preperation using rbf 600. Guess it's a good idea to flush after each track day.

That should not be necessary at all. I flush once a year and bleed after 6 or 7 track days (SRF). I have never seen any brake fluid go Coke color after a few laps. Maybe it is something to do with RBF 600? Seems both of you see similar results with it?

DenverTaco07 · 09-02-2019, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrackClub

That should not be necessary at all. I flush once a year and bleed after 6 or 7 track days (SRF). I have never seen any brake fluid go Coke color after a few laps. Maybe it is something to do with RBF 600? Seems both of you see similar results with it?

hmmm...I mean i'm just looking at the resevoir, i'm sure that's obvious, but that said, the brake fliud doesn't circulate right? So how does res fluid get dirty or whatever is causing the color change. Could it be fluid from clutch?

TrackClub · 09-03-2019, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DenverTaco07

hmmm...I mean i'm just looking at the resevoir, i'm sure that's obvious, but that said, the brake fliud doesn't circulate right? So how does res fluid get dirty or whatever is causing the color change. Could it be fluid from clutch?

Likely it is the clutch causing it vs the brakes id say.
my reservoir always stays super clean even when fluid comes out dark when bleeding brakes. Not sure what may be causing it for ya. Will check with my mechanic and report back.

Boost Creep · 09-03-2019, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DenverTaco07

hmmm...I mean i'm just looking at the resevoir, i'm sure that's obvious, but that said, the brake fliud doesn't circulate right? So how does res fluid get dirty or whatever is causing the color change. Could it be fluid from clutch?

It will circulate a little bit, but not a whole lot.
Clutch would be the biggest culprit as the travel is greater than the brakes so the fluid flow back and forth will be the most.

02-18-2018, 11:27 AM	#1
IrishCoffee Drives: 17 SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 116	Dirty Brake Fluid Anyone else's brake fluid looking really dirty? I flushed it and put in Motul RBF 600 in October. Had one track day, then took a look at it a couple weeks ago and was shocked to see it looking dark brown. I bought another couple bottles of RBF 600 and attempted flushing it through with my power bleeder, but it is still pretty brown. Not sure how to get all the grime out there without a professional setup. Funny thing is there were no bubbles or anything when I flushed it. Seemed like it was just dirty.

02-19-2018, 10:23 AM	#3
seanblurr Drives: ZL1 1LE Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: California Posts: 1,297	Heat will often change the color a bit in my experience. Perhaps when you were on track you hit the ABS a few times which pushed some of the old fluid out of the solenoid back into the system and that may have changed the color a tad as well. __________________

02-19-2018, 10:39 AM	#4
kropscamaro16 Drives: 2016 1ss camaro Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 909 Posts: 9,817	brake fluid doesnt stay clean as soon as its in the system it gets dirty but as long as it doesnt look like turkey gravy its fine lol i mean i usually do a full flush and refill once a year or so __________________ 16 1SS NIGHTFALL GRAY METALLIC WITH NPP #BECAUSERACECAR #SAVETHEMANUALS

09-01-2019, 06:04 PM	#10
DenverTaco07 Drives: 2017 SS 1LE, 2017 Volt, 2013 Pilot Join Date: May 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,274	my fluid is turning dark after a few laps at the track. I flushed a couple weeks ago in preperation using rbf 600. Guess it's a good idea to flush after each track day. __________________ 2017 SS 1LE \| HBM \| Vortech V3-Si supercharger (620RWHP and 575ft lbs) \| PDR \| Black Bowties \| Illuminated Front Black Bowtie \| Illuminated Door Sills \| Smoked Tails \| vented seats mod

02-19-2018, 10:09 AM	#2
Pollock LT4 M6 Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Bloomington, IN Posts: 1,249	I flushed mine yesterday with 900 miles. The calipers came out a bit cloudy at first. Also having the clutch linked into the brakes also makes it get dirty quicker.

02-19-2018, 12:48 PM	#6
IrishCoffee Drives: 17 SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 116	Intersting. I've performed brake fluid flushes on several of my past vehicles and have never seen it look so brown. The fluid on my 14 1LE was a bit darker after track usage, but this is ridiculous. It was like the color of coke.

02-19-2018, 03:32 PM	#7
booyaa56 Drives: 2017 Camaro 1LE Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 202 View My Garage	I got the same thing going on as well, Boost Creep how do I go about flushing the clutch fluid?

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