A brake service chain did a complete brake job 1000 miles ago (about a month) in my 01 Jeep. A week after my oil change place pointed out my brake fluid was at the empty mark (about an ounce or two low). I took it back to the guys who did the brake job and they reinspected the system and confirmed it was low and topped it off. Fast forward to yesterday and my brakes have failed. The brake shop says there is some contaminating oil in my master cyl and that caused the failure. My question is how long would it take for an incompatible oil being used in the brake fluid to cause brake failure? It could be the entire system was filled with the wrong stuff or it could be that just the top off was the wrong stuff.Question about using wrong brake fluid and brake failure?
No sir, because a member of my family put power steering fluid in the master cylinder, the brakes quit in 50 miles, he had to flush the lines, overhaul all the calipers and the master cylinder. Expensive oops. Don't jump to conclusions that it isn't JUST the master cylinder that failed, and not because of bad fluid, it was just done. Replacing just that might be the cure. HOWEVER DO KNOW THIS The type of hydraulic fluid that brake fluid is has a characteristic that sucks moisture from the air, so if the master cylinder doesn't have a good seal under the cap or lid, it will expedite this, and master cylinder failure. My saturn owners manual says to flush the brake fluid every 30kmi or 24mos., due to this. (I did it once, 5yrs. ago). Do You?
I will never expect any auto repair place to be on the level, either.Question about using wrong brake fluid and brake failure?
Could have been either. I'd say wrong to start with. Doesn't take long to mess it up.Question about using wrong brake fluid and brake failure?
That's why I don't use or recommend the Jiffy type lube joints. They hire a bunch of kids who don't know brakes from power steering and screw up too many times. I know of at least a half dozen brake failures that occurred shortly after an oil change at a quick change place and wound up being oil in the brake fluid. To answer your question on how long it takes to ruin the brakes it's only matter of hours or a day or two at the most. The oil destroys the seals in the brake system.
