I know people say not to use clutch fluid from an opened container but I'm going to siphon and replace my clutch fluid from the master reservoir till its clean fluid. Can I just use the opened container fluid after one day of opening it? How long does it take for the container to accumulate external moisture? Is this just a myth or has it been proven to effect the quality of the fluid?

 

When you buy the container, it is sealed. If you open it, use some, then promptly close the container and put it away it will be fine. I'm not sure I would take the chance using it for the brakes, but I have no reservations using it for the clutch.

 

That's what I was thinking. Seems so wasteful to throw away an almost full bottle since the clutch reservoir doesn't required much fluid to top it off.

Has anyone use the same procedure for the brake reservoir (siphon, clean, and add fluid to the brake reservoir)?

 

For the brakes you must bleed the system, not just replace the fluid in the reservoir.

 

I just replaced my clutch fluid less than a week ago. i used a bottle of dot 3 that was already opened that i used for my brakes about 2 weeks before it.
my car is shifting alot smoother i see no problem with it? even if it did accumulate a little moisture i bet its cleaner than the fluid in your reservoir now ! i felt the same way you did and said why bother wasting even tho i too have heard not to use already opened bottles i just didnt see it doing any major harm.

 

ahh. I was hoping to avoid this but judging from the DIY it looks fairly simple.

 

Gravity bleed and it's ridiculously simple. It just takes a little bit of time.

If you want to more, while the car is up on jack stands you can do swap MTF and diff oil at the same time.

 

You can not use brake fluid once the bottle is open.
Therefore you can only use brake fluid out of a closed container.
The BIG question is: how?


Another question you may ask yourself: if I really can't use brake fluid that was stored (*) for a while (**) in an opened (but closed again) container... then what about the fluid in the brake reservoir?
That could be just as old, the brake reservoir is certainly not sealed and it is "stored" in all but perfect conditions (car parked outside in any kind of weather, ect.)

(*) - stored how?
In the original container, cap tightend, kept in a cool & dry place (not the fridge).
One more reason I like ATE as (I think) all of their products are sold in steel containers.
Steel containers are more sealed then plasic, over time.

(**) - a while?
How long is a while?
A year, a month, it all depends.

 

IMO...."When in doubt..throw it out".

Don't gamble on brake fluid.Get new Dot4.Prestone makes a good everyday Dot4.Cheap and find it easily.

\rlr
carolina

 

It's cheap enough ...why risk it