Brake fluid tester? Any of you ever use one? (m)

**JimLev** · 02-28-2011 10:07 PM

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...ductId=1534920

**Bmw540san** · 03-01-2011 12:50 AM

only thing is if you measure the moisture percentage in the reservoir and it shows ok, what about the fluid in the lines and the caliper. That part might have more moisture in it. Either way, cool tool.

1998 BMW 540i 6 speed
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**JimLev** · 03-01-2011 06:19 AM

in the reservoir would have more moisture in it than the fluid in the calipers and lines. The reservoir cap is vented and should let in more moisture than the seals around the caliper pistons. For $30 I may get one just to play with.

**kbud** · 03-01-2011 01:26 PM

haaaaaaaaaa

K-Bud ([email protected])
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**fritracer** · 03-01-2011 01:41 PM

the atmospher. The vent hole in the top of the M/C cap is to allow the rubber seal in the lid expand as the fluid is moved out of the resevior into the brake system. If the system was left open to the atmospher, it would absorb moisture out of the air at an incredible rate and we would not have brakes for long due to corrosion. Unfortunately, moisture does find its' way into the system everytime you open the lid to check the level.Fritracer
Cincinnati, OH
2000 540ia Sport Package 9/99 Silver/Black
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 420 stroker w/6 Pak 430 HP,
510 lbft torque

**JimLev** · 03-01-2011 02:10 PM

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**PShovest** · 03-01-2011 06:16 PM

As I recall what you're describing was common on Ford and GM cars that had the cast iron reservoir built in to the MC. The corrugated rubber seal would follow the fluid level as it dropped as brakes wore. BMW reservoirs have to breathe to avoid creating a vacuum.

Paul S
BMW CCA 69606
'01 530iM Sport Premium
'00 528iM Sport Premium
'00 528iTM Sport Premium
'98 M3/4
'90 535iA

**kbud** · 03-02-2011 12:19 AM

Or whatever measurement they use over there across the pond :)

K-Bud ([email protected])
Baltimore, MD
Join the BMW E39 / 5 Series Group here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=347966936053

99' BMW E39 540iA Sp. (Prod. 11/98)
Titanium Silver/Black
06' Range Rover HSE (Prod. 6/22/05)
Giverny Green/Aspen-Aspen-Ivory
04' Lexus GX470 (Prod. 10/03)
Ash Blue Mica/Dark Gray

Roadfly Member #71563 est. 06/03
BMWCCA Member #312125 est. 04/03

****Disclaimer: Down the page alot farther after all the absurd amount of pictures & vids I've posted of my current rides you'll find the "mods" for my BMW****

Da Boy's Ride

Mods to Date:
DINAN Stage II, DINAN Tranny SW, DINAN Fr. Strut Bar, RevHigh CAI w/ PC'd Gunmetal Metallic Pipe, Breyton Fr. Lip Spoiler, Fr. Lip RaceMesh Grill 5/8" PC'd Black, Hella Celis Clear Rears, Clear Fronts, Clear Sides, 19" RDSport S4's w/ Gunmetal Metallic PC'd Centers 19x9 et18 Fr. & 19x10 et20 Rr., Toyo T1R's 245/35 Fr. & 275/30 Rr., Eisenmann Sport Quad Exhaust w/Resonator Removed, McGard Wheel Locks, Rolled Rr. Fenders, ///M5 Rr. Wheel Liners, H&R Sp. Springs, Koni Adj. Sp. Struts, Energy Suspension Polyurethane Bushings, ///M5 Fr. Brakes w/ SS Lines, Brembo Rr. Brakes w/SS Lines, Axxis Deluxe Brake Pads, ///M5 Fr. & Rr. Swaybars, ///M5 Kidney Grills, ///M5 Brushed Gauge Rings, 2.25" Magnaflow High Flow Cats, ///M-Tech Rr. Bumper, ///M5 Trunk Lip Spoiler, ///M5 Style Side Mirrors ,DDE Xenon Match Angel Eyes, Xenon Match H7 Fog Bulbs, AC Schnitzer Alum. Pedals, Denso Iridium Plugs, In-Dash Business CD Player, Blk. Metallic Int. Trim, Brushed Alum. & Blk. Lthr. Shift Selector Knob, 35% Window Tint, Homelink UGDO, Trunk Storage Bin, Carbon Fiber Roundels, Black ///M Logo Oil Cap, Fr. Plate Delete, Black BMW Rr. Tag Holder, & Debadged

**JimLev** · 03-02-2011 07:27 AM

That doesn't block the 2 vent holes for the cap. The hole are visible on the outside of the cap under where the connector housing meets the side of the cap.
I found that Summit Racing also sells this brake fluid tester for $25.
I should have it in a few days. My fluid is ~2 years old and ready to be changed. I'll check what's in the resevoir and what comes out of the calipers to see if there is any real difference.

Bimmer5Michael · 03-02-2011 01:39 PM

be concerned about it. I can see it's usefullness in possib;y testing ABS problems related to stuck components or maybe coroded pistons in the cALIPERS. I have only changed the Brake fluid 4 times in over 400,000 miles in the old VAN and only 2 times in the 540 and can never tel any difference.

Am I missing something here?

Michael
00 540 sport 6 spd 153K

**edjack** · 03-02-2011 04:57 PM

fluid. The only time it was replaced was when one or more cylinders began leaking, probably due to not changing the fluid, and the system was rebuilt, requirirng bleeding out the air.
Ed in San Jose. BMW CCA member since 1987 (Nr. 62319). Golden Gate Chapter. '97 540i 6 speed. Build Date 3/97. Aspensilber over Aubergine leather.

**PShovest** · 03-02-2011 06:43 PM

Paul S
BMW CCA 69606
'01 530iM Sport Premium
'00 528iM Sport Premium
'00 528iTM Sport Premium
'98 M3/4
'90 535iA

**JKRIT** · 03-02-2011 07:43 PM

This is similar to running chemical tests on your motor oil to see if you are changing it often enough. Such tests satisfy intellectual curiosity, but once you look at the results, you may never feel the need to do it again.

Of course, if you have a caliper seize up, as we did recently at 195k miles on our '98 E36, you do get that guilty feeling that you haven't been flushing the brake system frequently enough.
'03 525i Sapphire Blu/Grey, SP, Nav
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Panos · 03-03-2011 01:00 PM

every 1-2 years and be done with it?

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