I bought some brake fluid and it was sent through the post. When it arrived I noticed the inside of the jiffy-bag was a bit wet and established that although the plastic tabs on the container top were intact, it leaked if inverted.

I'm not fussed about losing a llittle fluid, but am I correct in thinking that it's bad news for brake fluid if the container was not completely airtight prior to opening and using?

Cheers

Scotty

while i agree it should be sealed, first thing you do after opening it is pour it into a non airtight reservoir, under the car bonnet where it spends years in damp air.
also been reading a thread on here saying brake fluid should be changed every 2 years or so. i've never put a car in for a brake fluid change, or known anyone who ever has

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Originally posted by blakep82
while i agree it should be sealed, first thing you do after opening it is pour it into a non airtight reservoir, under the car bonnet where it spends years in damp air.
also been reading a thread on here saying brake fluid should be changed every 2 years or so. i've never put a car in for a brake fluid change, or known anyone who ever has

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I'd be asking for a replacement

I would ask for a replacement too, you'll be alerting them to possible
packaging faults as well.

Cheers guys.

I've advised the company of what happened and will see what happens.

quote:

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Originally posted by scootz
although the plastic tabs on the container top were intact, it leaked if inverted.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Slimy38

quote:

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Originally posted by scootz
although the plastic tabs on the container top were intact, it leaked if inverted.

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I've just reread this. The last bottle of fluid I bought had a foil/cardboard seal that sealed the bottle, along with the normal plastic tabs. I doubt the plastic tabs would have kept the bottle shut, but leaking suggests the foil seal has been broken.

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Watch out for leaked brake fluid - it eats most paint, and is generally nasty stuff.

A slight leak in a relatively dry environment is unlikely to be a problem but I'd still contact the supplier... you might get a refund or freeby.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, in other words it absorbs water. The effective result of that is that the boiling point drops and risk of brake fade increases. For that reason it should be stored in a sealed container.

Brake fluid is also engineered to darken in colour as the water content increases ( I used to have a colour chart to check it against). Fresh fluid will be almost clear and as it ages will go through straw to (eventually) brown. Once it gets to look like pis the morning after a good night out you've waited to long to change it. If in doubt ask a garage to test it; takes seconds but beware, in my experience the testers are a bit on the sensitive side (a cynic would say to help sell fluid changes).

Apology and a new bottle being sent out.

I'm using second-hand calipers and MC's, so will use the leaky stuff to flush any crap out of both!

Result!