Topic: shelf life of brake fluid?

[grumpy]

How long does dot 3/4 last in an opened bottle?

"Opened" means the leftover fluid from the last brake bleed stored in a capped bottle.

[MoTo-BunnY]

We were talking about this in another post just the other day.

I personally believe it has a bit to do with your climate - i.e. lasts longer in Arizona than Florida (humidity in air)

Most comments were to the effect of a couple of weeks, at best, though we didn't get any definitive answer from any of the pros.

Hope that helps, though.

[Frankencake]

Couldn't you just boil it free of any water.  I don't think that being absorbed changes the molecular structure of the water so it would boil out.

[BobbyR]

It is contaminated and was from the moment you opened the bottle. It is really not expensive considering the trouble it can cause. If you have some paint to strip it would be great for that. Let nothing go to waste! 

[my78k]

It is also great for exacting revenge....pour it on the hood of that special someone's car over night ***cough***Ev0lution7****cough***Brimmer***

[grumpy]

It is contaminated and was from the moment you opened the bottle. It is really not expensive considering the trouble it can cause.

Yeah - that's what I figured.
My problem is finding the time to go get some new stuff. 

[MoTo-BunnY]

It is also great for exacting revenge....pour it on the hood of that special someone's car over night ***cough***Ev0lution7****cough***Brimmer***

lol. . . . oh my, you DO play nasty in Canada now, don't you?   

[my78k]

Actually I only did it once in my life and it was after a guy hit me in a parking lot and didn't stick around. Witness got me the plate number, description of the truck and the driver. I called the cops they ran the plate for me but wouldn't get involved they did give me his address though. Went to his door and confronted him (he fit the description perfectly) The truck was in the driveway (also matched the description) but he denied it (although not very well).

A couple of nights later I dumped a big bottle all over his hood and roof.

To be honest I have no idea what damage it did as I never went back to check it out. With a factory paint job and clear coat it may have just beeded off but in my mind it worked perfectly!

Dennis

[MoTo-BunnY]

dayyyyum!  OK, I will be sure to try and stay on your good side! (not that you could really ruin my DIY flat-black paint job - I could just retouch it in minutes with a brush. .  .lol)

[Bill/BentON Racing]

Unless you used Dot 5 you got you revenge,as they said as soon as cap opened the it starts to absorb moisture,wanna dry your skin work with brake fluid,metal cans would rust the the attraction was so strong,Bill

[bryanj]

Over here it sez max 18 months if kept in a sealed bottle

[lowmileage]

I've read that metal cans are preferred to plastic as maybe plastic is breathable?

[doobiebro]

Plastic is breathable.  Opened or not, a plastic bottle is somewhat porous and will draw moisture and contaminants from the air.  That is why a Coke in a plastic bottle has half the shelf life of one in a metal can.  I agree with BobbyR - "It is really not expensive considering the trouble it can cause."

[Alan F.]

Another use for old open containers of brake fluid is to pop those stubborn brake caliper pistons out with. It's not like you're trusting your life to it.

[johnny_from_bel]

Take the kitchen vacum sealer. Pop the closed bottle in a plastic bag. Vacum seal it and it can be stored at leased a few years if not indefinate.