guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Hey,

I bought 2 bottles of Honda brake fluid last year in the summer.

I forgot I had them in the trunk so maybe they froze or collected moisture?

They've been sitting in the house for about 4 months now, though.

Do you guys think it's good to use still?

I'm reading something up on moisture and brake fluid and I'm kinda worried that they were left in my freezing trunk.

Both bottles still sealed.

Just me being a little worried.

Cheers.

blueracer17

If they are sealed bottles, they are fine.

nfnsquared

Not true. OP, you need to decipher the date code on the bottle. Moisture can and will pass through the plastic bottle, which is why they code the bottles. I don't know what the useful shelf life of brake fluid is. It might be fine, it might not.

Brake fluid is so cheap that it might not be worth risking it...

I wouldn't be too worried about freezing. Think about the brake fluid sitting in your lines, calipers and reservoir....Pretty sure Dot3 brake fluid has a freezing point of -40F or even colder.

ez12a

as long as it's clear i think it's ok to use. Last summer isn't that long ago and if it's still sealed then even better.

I dont think it's any different than sitting in the master cylinder reservoir. If it's clear in the bottle, it'll be clear sitting in there too.

dcmodels

The maximum shelf life of any oil, including brake fluid (oil), is determined by optimal storage conditions, which is 70 degrees and low humidity. Extreme conditions greatly shorten the life of any type of oil, no matter that it is still factory sealed. And brake fluid is cheap.

And read the date code when purchasing. You don't really know how the retailer has stored the oil, before placing on the store shelf. See post #2.
https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-rdx-diy-faq-161/how-read-oil-date-codes-775691/

BRAKE FLUID SHELF LIFE:
http://www.kewengineering.co.uk/Auto_oils/motor_oils_faqs.htm
QUOTED: Brake fluids should not be stored for more than 2-3 years and only if unopened and the foil seal remains intact. Any fluid already opened will have a shelf life of less than 6mths, possibly less if stored in the boot of your classic.

Castrol GT LMA Brake Fluid shelf life?
The shelf life for Castrol GT LMA Brake Fluid is 2 years for sealed bottles. Regardless of the storage conditions, moisture can get into the product via osmosis thru the plastic. No partially filled bottles should ever be used once open - use or discard.

Valvoline Brake Fluid shelf life?
The general shelf life of an unopened can of Valvoline SynPower (discontinued) Brake Fluid is 5 years tops. After that, we suggest discarding the fluid.
NOTE from forum post: I was talking to my wife just now. I asked how good a moisture barrier HDPE is (plastic the container is made out of) and she said not very good. Compared to say EVOH or something like that. She's a Packaging Engineer and knows her plastics.
---eof