ltc

There seems to be differing opinions here at work regarding the shelf life of an unopened can of brake fluid (ATE Blue or Gold specifically).

I am unaware of any shelf life requirements for an unopened can; others here say 2-3 years max shelf life.

Any expert opinions?

Bill Gregory

I have heard the same 2-3 years. Wonder if ATE has a web site to go to the source?

George from MD

I just threw out a couple of two year old cans cause I didn't want to take the chance.

ceboyd

i dunno... my thinking is that a sealed container is not contaminated and fine...

I asked the guy at northstar motorsports and he said you are fine if it has never been opened.

I buy 2 per year (to have a spare backup) and never had them stored more than 2 years myself but do you think the retailers throw them away after 2 years?

Do you even know how long they've been in the seller's inventory?

....food for thought so-to-speak

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

As long as the container is sealed and has never been opened, it lasts almost indefinitely.

ATE fluid containers are very well executed and leave no space between the fluid and the plastic seal for condensation.

ltc

Thanks everyone for the replies.
I found the ATE website for brake fluid:
http://www.conti-online.com/generato..._fluid_en.html
I also surfed around a bit and could not find any datasheets or articles listing a shelf life.

Renn 951

I think they'd have a HUGE liability issue if there was a shelf life on the product and they didn't post a notice on the container.

Tom W

The shelf-life should be many, many years. Chemically degradation will be nil and the metal can eliminates moisture permeability. I would have no problem using fluid 5 years old (or more). It's only my opinion, but I do have a PhD in chemistry.

Mark in Baltimore

Steve W - Good to know. I actually have my unopened brake fluid in my finished basement as opposed to my unheated and un-AC'd garage to keep condensation at bay. I'll move it back out to the garage.

Tom W - Without a doubt, doctorate degrees can add much credibility! Hope your new track car is ready for the season.

Tom W

Mark,

I got the Turtle back from Bob on Saturday and have a much lighter checkbook (damn slipper slopes and older cars). The car had many more problems that I had hoped, but it wasn't totally unexpected. I ended up with new rear axels and hubs, the fronts had ball joints and wheel bearings replaced, new tie rods, new steering rack boots, new clutch master and slave cylinders, and some other stuff. Most rubber parts on the car were shot. The motor mounts were sagging about 2" but the new RS mounts make for nice precise shifting. However, with the new parts and the JIC Cross suspsension, I had an enjoyable drive home. I'm looking forward to 3 days at Buttonwillow next weekend to test it all out.

ltc

Thanks everyone for the replies.
While searching for shelf life, I came across this link.
http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com/access/fluid.asp
Nitrogen filled brake fluid bottle!

Tom W

For a nitrogen fill to be much more than a marketing gimick, you would need a fluid that is sensitive to oxidation (at a significat rate at room temperature - not an issue for these fluids) and a container that is impermeable (ie, a sealed metal can - and not a plastic bottle or a metal can with a plastic top). Anything plastic is permeable to air (oxygen) and moisture. the rate depends on the temperature, relative humidity and plastic type amd thickness. The water permeability through the plastic neck and top of a Super Blue/ATE 200 can is likely to be milligrams per year - not a significant amount for a can with a liter of fluid.

While the marketing claim is not false, the benefit is not likely to be meaningful to most of us.

Series 900

Uhmm , I have never seen a born on , nor expires, on brake containers. How do you know what you buy from any retailer, who bought it from a Warehouse distributor, that its not old stock to begin with? Just wondering...