JimProuty

I just got a nasty suprise with my recently-purchased 1995 993 Cabriolet: the brake fluid has some kind of congealed gunk in it that apparently clogged the ABS system, and it'll cost me about $3600 in repairs (master cylinder, ABS reservoir, a bunch of other stuff and labor).

The symptom was the brake pedal sinking to the floor just after the car was started or when on a downhill incline.

Talking to the dealer service tech, he says he's seen this on other 993s (and ONLY on other 993s), has asked Porsche "what's up with that?" and gotten no reply.

He theorized that it happens with "old" brake fluid, and he noted that the recommended service interval for flushing (not bleeding) the brake fluid is once every two years.

I think I bought a "garage queen" that wasn't properly maintained.

So if you haven't done it recently, it could save you a lot of money down the road.

I'm gonna go get a stiff drink, now

eloyex

Is very true you have to change the brake fluid periodically.
i changed mine at 20.000 miles. Seems to be damaged with time, humidity, pads heat, and other related factors.

Wise to change on time ..... !!!!

cooz

it would be best to flush/change the brake fluid every 2 yrs or so for normal street use cars.

brake fluid absorbs moisture/water which is BAD for performance and associated brake system parts.

JasonAndreas

I've heard of people having luck using silicone DOT-5 fluid to dissolve and flush the spooge. I have no first-hand experience but if you're at the point of replacing everything anyway it might be worth a shot, at the very least ask your mechanic about it.

Pete Lech

I flush my fluid every year on the Porsche, every 2 years on the street cars.

faster

isnt there some way or product to flush those parts and lines out yourself?

pcar964

There must be a way to circumvent the ABS unit altogether, and save yourself a chunk of change... I know they're insanely expensive, money which is much better spent on upgrades Unless you're constantly driving in the snow, I really don't see the need for ABS anyway. Just my $.02

TheOtherEric

I've heard of others with this same problem. In fact, my car had this same waxy sludge, but fortunately we found it before it did any damage. Sorry to hear about the severity of your problem.

Chuck W.

Contact your local PCA and get some names of independent Porsche mechanics. There is a good chance the dealer is doing more work than needs to be done.

BanMeNot

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...r/European.jpg
European Power Bleeder Kit, Porsche All
Not sure work or not, never try.

Keith

Bill Verburg

Brake fluid is like oil in that it contains additive packages that are used up in the course of doing their job. One of the major jobs is to prevent corrsion internally. All Brake fluid except the DOT 5 silicones are hygroscopic, meaning they absorb moisture from the air.

Also like oil the factory recomended change frequency is way too long. For street cars I do it annually, for track, before each event. Good fluid is not that expensive compared to the possible consequenses, as noted it the original post.

The best for track use is either DOT 4 or DOT 5.1 both are Borate Ester based and provide suoerior performance

IMO Castrol SRF is at a brake fuid sweet spot for cost vs performance.

also IMO wet performance spec is more significant than dry because as soon as the can is opened the fluid starts it's inexorable transition to the wet end.

pcar964

Bill, isn't the SRF non-hydroscopic?

Porscheologist

Jim I would NOT go just by what the Por$che Stealer says! An idependant shop is the way to go if you are not a DIY kind of guy. In my experience a pedal sinking to the floor is either a failed master cylinder or a fluid leak in the system. The leak is easy to spot and a master cylinder can either be rebuilt or replaced. A complete flush should eliminate the gunk. Tell us were you are at and I am sure you will get many local shop recomendations.

Bill Verburg

The only type that is not hygroscopic is DOT 5 silicone based, which is only appropriate for museum vehicles.

All Dot 3, 4 and 5.1 will absorb moisture to varing degrees

Chuck W.

If you let the dealer do all this work I imagine that the service writer is have a drink also....but more in celebratory manner.