Technical Brake Fluid Level Over Max, Problem?

[DannyBoy88]

just been checking fluids and my brake fluid chamber is too full, its over the max line, is this a problem? or should i just leave it? it must have been like this for almost a year now

also its on the wrong side of the engine bay in all diag's its on the left hand side, but mines on the right, anyone know why?

 

[Mattyk]

If the brakes work fine and they have done for a year Id leave it?

Diagrams may be wrong because its the drawing for a left hand drive car

 

[marty61]

Mines been over max since i got it, ive just left it alone. Dont worry about it

 

[kramer81]

apologies for digging up an old thread...but this resevoir looks empty in my car, which is surprising as it has been serviced recently. Is this a straight forward top up, or is there issues with getting air in the system etc?

 

[Mattyk]

if the brakes are working ok then just top it up, if they are rubbish then they will need bleeding

 

[Andy Monty]

apologies for digging up an old thread...but this resevoir looks empty in my car, which is surprising as it has been serviced recently. Is this a straight forward top up, or is there issues with getting air in the system etc?

well if it has dropped a lot first thing i would be doing is looking to why it has dropped (are you pads badly worn? is there any leaks in the brake lines? is the clutch slave leaking?

it could also have been overfilled to the point its brim full so you cant see the level..

For the GP you want DOT 4 fluid use a new sealed bottle (it doesn't keep well as it adsorbs water, Let the new bottle settle for an hour or 2 once you get it home DO NOT shake the bottle

clean the cap of the reservoir with a cloth and open with the car on level ground..

add the brake fluid slowly so as to minimise any air bubbles been created then re-secure lid

DO NOT spill any brake fluid on painted surfaces as it will strip it likewise wash hands well before dropping bonnet so as to prevent any getting from your hands onto the car if might be a good idea to get a can of brake cleaner at the same time incase of any spillages rinse area imediately with brake cleaner and remove run off with kitchen roll then wash with hot soap and water to minimise damage

 

[D4nny8oy]

apologies for digging up an old thread...but this resevoir looks empty in my car, which is surprising as it has been serviced recently. Is this a straight forward top up, or is there issues with getting air in the system etc?

Are you sure it's empty (removed the cap and checked)?

We once had a customer who drove 30 miles to us with an 'empty' reservoir (would you drive with a possibilty of brake failure? ), and when we checked- it was bang on the max mark.

New brake fluid (especially on a freshly PDI'd car) is almost clear, with it turning amber with age.

 

[Tristania Dream]

Are you sure it's empty (removed the cap and checked)?

We once had a customer who drove 30 miles to us with an 'empty' reservoir (would you drive with a possibilty of brake failure? ), and when we checked- it was bang on the max mark.

New brake fluid (especially on a freshly PDI'd car) is almost clear, with it turning amber with age.

How often, in general, should brake fluid be changed, just when the pads/ discs are changed or should it be changed yearly?

 

[Andy Monty]

How often, in general, should brake fluid be changed, just when the pads/ discs are changed or should it be changed yearly?

every other year ideally as it is Hydroscopic and adsorbs water which can lead to corrosion of the ABS Modulator internals

 

[kramer81]

I didn't want to open it yesterday because it was raining..it turns out it was filled to the brim :doh: Although in my defence I was careful enough to say it "looked" empty .

Thanks guys