Brake fluid change - second opinion

[Paul chocks]

Just had my car serviced at my local Indy. I asked them to do a brake fluid but they advised against. They said the bleed nipples are notorious for breaking, which would then require expensive calliper repair or replacement.  They suggested just checking water content instead and, if ok, leaving as is.

I’ve not heard this before. Anyone else come across this or had problems when they changed their brake fluid?

[mike597]

I've had this before on other cars, both Volvo and vw now don't change automatically at two years they test the water content first and only change if required. 

[Berni29]

Hi

I can understand why they say this. But one day someone is going to have to face those nipples! Maybe spray some penetrating oil on them occasionally.

Berni

[EXY]

19 minutes ago, Berni29 said:

Hi

I can understand why they say this. But one day someone is going to have to face those nipples! Maybe spray some penetrating oil on them occasionally.

Berni

^^^^^^^^^^^this

I run a wire brush round them followed by a drop of oil every time the wheels are off. 

[PaulQ]

I wonder if there could be any difference in the moisture content between the reservoir and the caliper itself.? 

 

[myfirstboxster]

Moisture content not the only problem surely , when I changed mine the old fluid was a very unhealthy looking colour ,  must have been at the end of its service life ? 

[½cwt]

I was looking at stripping and repainting my calipers earlier this year.  I didn't as I found a broken spring and had to fix that instead, but I did check and free off my bleed nipples.  Soaked in penetrating oil and with a 6point (not 12 point) deep socket I gently eased them all free successfully.  Used the socket as you can control the twist as well as rotation which is trickier with a flat spanner so helps reduce the risk of shearing.

Re brake fluid age, 2 to 3 years on a newer vehicle and test moisture, but how long could the fluid have been in some Boxsters?  It should be a clear pale yellow/gold colour.  If its not, change it!

[Paul P]

Previous car was an Audi - used an specialist on it for years - initially they used to recommend a change frequently - but then Audi switched to test / check, so they did as well. Agree with previous comments about the nipples though - what if they do check it and it needs changing  - got to face it then - and it won't be too hard for them to see if they loosen easily without any fluid escaping without going all medieval on them and stripping them 

[red rocket]

3 hours ago, Paul chocks said:

Just had my car serviced at my local Indy. I asked them to do a brake fluid but they advised against. They said the bleed nipples are notorious for breaking, which would then require expensive calliper repair or replacement.  They suggested just checking water content instead and, if ok, leaving as is.

I’ve not heard this before. Anyone else come across this or had problems when they changed their brake fluid?

I had exactly the same discussion with local indy on my 987. Haven't had a change for 3 years. They've had experience of dodgy nipples leading to caliper refurbs so reccomended checking fluid to ensure OK but otherwise leave until next year.

[Nobbie]

5 minutes ago, red rocket said:

I had exactly the same discussion with local indy on my 987. Haven't had a change for 3 years. They've had experience of dodgy nipples leading to caliper refurbs so reccomended checking fluid to ensure OK but otherwise leave until next year.

That makes no sense to me. If they are stuck now, they will also be stuck next year. If they are not stuck now, there is a chance they will be stuck next year. Unless you’re selling it in the next year, you gain nothing and potentially end up with extra cost from a nipple that seized because it wasn’t moved for years. Sounds like they just didn’t want the potential hassle of a car hanging around while they refurbed the calliper.

[red rocket]

1 minute ago, Nobbie said:

That makes no sense to me. If they are stuck now, they will also be stuck next year. If they are not stuck now, there is a chance they will be stuck next year. Unless you’re selling it in the next year, you gain nothing and potentially end up with extra cost from a nipple that seized because it wasn’t moved for years. Sounds like they just didn’t want the potential hassle of a car hanging around while they refurbed the calliper.

They have to send them out for refurb. I'm happy enough to wait until next year and allow for the possibility.

[Greenman]

3 minutes ago, Nobbie said:

That makes no sense to me. If they are stuck now, they will also be stuck next year. If they are not stuck now, there is a chance they will be stuck next year. Unless you’re selling it in the next year, you gain nothing and potentially end up with extra cost from a nipple that seized because it wasn’t moved for years. Sounds like they just didn’t want the potential hassle of a car hanging around while they refurbed the calliper.

I totally agree with this.  If you are  getting rid of the car in the next year (or need the car now or are short of funds) then fine, but otherwise the sooner it’s done the better chance of no issues surely. There may be a case for waiting until the end of summer so you don’t mind the car being off the road for a while.

I think the 2 year fluid replacements on new Porsches aren’t really needed that often from the perspective of fluid degradation or water absorption (e.g. it’s every 4 years on the OHs car) but just loosening the bleed nipples every couple of years I think is the biggest benefit.

[Richard Hamilton]

The bleed nipples they use in the later cars are like chocolate, and you only have to show them a spanner and a lot of them snap.  I'm not surprised by the indies stance, but the problem is only going to get worse.  I wonder what the OPCs do too - surely they must have moaned their socks off to Stuttgart?

[Paul chocks]

Thanks for all the replies. Like many, I feel that not changing the fluid is a sure way to ensure the nipples seize.  I can also see the Indy’s view, particularly if they’ve been stung by an abusive customer blaming them for breakage.

i guess the best solution is to exercise yearly - perhaps it should be in the service schedule from new.

[The Caped Crusader]

Got to agree, the bleed nipples can be problematic. 

I previously refurbed Boxster calipers for a friend and they were seized solid. 

However, all is not lost. There is way you can increase your chances of removing them without them snapping...

Heat up the bleed nipples with a MAP gas torch. Place a damp cloth over the caliper to avoid any paint damage. Then , once they're really hot, hit them with freezer spray to rapidly cool them. Do this twice to each nipple. Then, finally, heat then up for a final time and then use a six sided socket to slowly loosen them. Never had one snap yet in all the times I've used this method. 

I always grease the thread on the nipples to stop any future issues using aluminium grease. In fact, I pretty much grease everything when I'm working on Porsches!

[Araf]

When I had my other car serviced, 6 out of 8 nipples were seized.  The fluid was therefore left until next year, when the calipers are due to be sent off for painting (yes, they were spec'd new from the factory as bare metal  ).  Otherwise I would have it changed every 2-3 years.  The fluid absorbs water and the water can then rust the ABS unit internals.

[The Caped Crusader]

2 hours ago, Richard Hamilton said:

The bleed nipples they use in the later cars are like chocolate, and you only have to show them a spanner and a lot of them snap.  I'm not surprised by the indies stance, but the problem is only going to get worse.  I wonder what the OPCs do too - surely they must have moaned their socks off to Stuttgart?

Richard, I spoke to my local OPC some time ago and they said they have the bleed nipples removed using spark erosion.