Change that Brake Fluid
#1
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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
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
![Frown](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
#2
Burning Brakes
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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 ..... !!!!
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 ..... !!!!
#3
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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.
brake fluid absorbs moisture/water which is BAD for performance and associated brake system parts.
#4
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Originally Posted by JimProuty
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).
#7
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Originally Posted by 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![Frown](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
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
![Frown](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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#8
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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.
#10
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Originally Posted by faster
isnt there some way or product to flush those parts and lines out yourself?
European Power Bleeder Kit, Porsche All
Not sure work or not, never try.
Keith
#11
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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.
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.
#13
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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.
#14
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Originally Posted by pcar964
Bill, isn't the SRF non-hydroscopic?
All Dot 3, 4 and 5.1 will absorb moisture to varing degrees
Last edited by Bill Verburg; 01-07-2006 at 01:09 PM.
#15
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Originally Posted by JimProuty
I'm gonna go get a stiff drink, now ![Frown](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
![Frown](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)