The Ford Barn

Karl Wolf · 10-10-2011, 08:15 PM

I once in a while wonder if I could heat dot3/4 brake fluid from a long opened, one gallon can to eliminate the water content... Maybe to 250-280 degrees?
Looking for opinions...
Karl

Russ/40 · 10-10-2011, 08:54 PM

DOT 3/4 is too cheap to take any chances with it. You could probably boil the water out of it, but why. Brakes are rather important, don't you think?

lee34 · 10-10-2011, 09:27 PM

Why??? Not worth it.When you don't have brakes you are putting it all on the line.Your vehicle,your life other people's life.My opinion to risky.To many unknown factors. JUST MY 2cents lee34

TJ · 10-10-2011, 10:02 PM

Dot3 or 4 is cheap. I think you can buy a quart for less than $20. Why take a chance on old fluid? You may not get all the moisture out of the can by heating it and therefore you may wind up with rust in the system sooner than later. You are also wasting a lot of time and energy trying to save old fluid. Doesn't make sense to me. JMHO

B-O-B · 10-10-2011, 10:23 PM

Think you want to heat it? Start fire & VERY CAREFULLY pour some on it & you may want to change your mind about heating it. Much safer & cheaper to buy new.

Karl Wolf · 10-10-2011, 10:52 PM

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Good points, all... Karl

flatheadfan · 10-11-2011, 03:36 AM

Karl-

Common brake fluids contain a wide range of chemical compounds, including: oil, butanol, alcohol and esters. Many of these ingredients can become very flammable in an unconfined vapor state which boiling could/would release at sub-water boiling temperatures (212F). If this is the case, I would think any an attempt to boil out the water would create substantial vapors which are not only highly flammable but they will not add to your lungs' longevity. Needless-to-say, what you are thinking about doing has the potential of giving you a really "bad day!" Why run the risk? Buy new!

Tom

rotorwrench · 10-11-2011, 08:23 AM

Heat, especially higher temps, have a tendency to change the chemical properties of the substance being heated. Lower temps like just below the boiling point of water would still evaporate some compounds while not affecting others. You will get the water out but will likely remove some other compounds that should remain there. Even relatively low moisture content DOT 3 brake fluid will still absorb moisture even after it is put into the brake system. As was mentioned several times earlier, it's not worth the risk. Brake fluid is still relatively inexpensive.

Kerby

37ford4dr · 10-11-2011, 09:58 AM

its so inexpensive and your time is worth something so i only buy it from a big chain store so its cheap and i only use new stuff.

10-10-2011, 08:15 PM	#1
Karl Wolf Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mill Valley,Ca. Posts: 1,509	Brake fluid I once in a while wonder if I could heat dot3/4 brake fluid from a long opened, one gallon can to eliminate the water content... Maybe to 250-280 degrees? Looking for opinions... Karl

10-10-2011, 08:54 PM	#2
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Brake fluid DOT 3/4 is too cheap to take any chances with it. You could probably boil the water out of it, but why. Brakes are rather important, don't you think?

10-10-2011, 09:27 PM	#3
lee34 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 127	Re: Brake fluid Why??? Not worth it.When you don't have brakes you are putting it all on the line.Your vehicle,your life other people's life.My opinion to risky.To many unknown factors. JUST MY 2cents lee34

10-10-2011, 10:02 PM	#4
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,037	Re: Brake fluid Dot3 or 4 is cheap. I think you can buy a quart for less than $20. Why take a chance on old fluid? You may not get all the moisture out of the can by heating it and therefore you may wind up with rust in the system sooner than later. You are also wasting a lot of time and energy trying to save old fluid. Doesn't make sense to me. JMHO

10-10-2011, 10:23 PM	#5
B-O-B Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ft Mohave,Az Posts: 1,987	Re: Brake fluid Think you want to heat it? Start fire & VERY CAREFULLY pour some on it & you may want to change your mind about heating it. Much safer & cheaper to buy new.

10-10-2011, 10:52 PM	#6
Karl Wolf Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mill Valley,Ca. Posts: 1,509	Re: Brake fluid Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Good points, all... Karl

10-11-2011, 03:36 AM	#7
flatheadfan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Michigan Posts: 1,218	Re: Brake fluid Karl- Common brake fluids contain a wide range of chemical compounds, including: oil, butanol, alcohol and esters. Many of these ingredients can become very flammable in an unconfined vapor state which boiling could/would release at sub-water boiling temperatures (212F). If this is the case, I would think any an attempt to boil out the water would create substantial vapors which are not only highly flammable but they will not add to your lungs' longevity. Needless-to-say, what you are thinking about doing has the potential of giving you a really "bad day!" Why run the risk? Buy new! Tom

10-11-2011, 08:23 AM	#8
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: Brake fluid Heat, especially higher temps, have a tendency to change the chemical properties of the substance being heated. Lower temps like just below the boiling point of water would still evaporate some compounds while not affecting others. You will get the water out but will likely remove some other compounds that should remain there. Even relatively low moisture content DOT 3 brake fluid will still absorb moisture even after it is put into the brake system. As was mentioned several times earlier, it's not worth the risk. Brake fluid is still relatively inexpensive. Kerby

10-11-2011, 09:58 AM	#9
37ford4dr Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: arlington va Posts: 185	Re: Brake fluid its so inexpensive and your time is worth something so i only buy it from a big chain store so its cheap and i only use new stuff.