brake fluid flush on a 1989 328? | FerrariChat

brake fluid flush on a 1989 328?

Discussion in '308/328' started by Fiat4Fun, Sep 24, 2024.

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  1. Fiat4Fun

    Fiat4Fun Formula Junior

    Jul 1, 2008
    315
    Sunriver OR
    Full Name:
    Bob
    Getting ready to have my yearly visit to the shop to get things checked out. They usually look it over and do an oil change and whatever it is due for. I do all the simple things myself, My question is, they always recommend doing a yearly brake fluid flush, because it's a ABS car. Was thinking that maybe it's overkill to get the brake fluid flushed every year, but have been doing it since I got the car in 2008. Any thoughts on if I should continue or maybe go to once every other year? I know the ABS system parts are tough to come by, so maybe it's good "insurance"?

    Any input is greatly appreciated.
     
  2. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    28,991
    socal
    It is good practice. The system will need much less serious maintenance in the future.
     
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  3. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
    6,871
    Full Name:
    Mike 996
    It can't hurt to change that often, so what the heck!

    The best thing you can do with ABS is to occasionally exercise it. That means getting up to speed and (with no one behind you) slamming on the brakes as hard as possible to feel the pedal buzz/pulse as the ABS cycles. Doing this occasionally keeps all the ABS valves/pistons functioning properly. It also gives you gives you the experience of how ABS actuation feels in the pedal...(or lever in the case of a motorcycle).
     
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  4. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    Jun 11, 2004
    11,222
    CT
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    John Kreskovsky
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  5. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,090
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    Brake fluid testers like shown above are very inexpensive and very informative. Depending on brake fluid type, brand and your environment every year may be overkill. Even in humid Texas I have some cars that go 3 years between changes. For under ten bucks you can quit guessing.
     
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  6. Zenobie

    Zenobie Formula Junior

    Feb 22, 2021
    251
    Belgium
    Full Name:
    CO
    I have the brake fluid tester that works perfectly and indeed costs hardly anything. I don't have the pH tester. Where is it available, swimming pool accessory shop?
     
  7. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    Jun 11, 2004
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    ACE hardware, CVS, pretty common on line too.
     
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  8. Zenobie

    Zenobie Formula Junior

    Feb 22, 2021
    251
    Belgium
    Full Name:
    CO
    @ johnk, found it but not so clear at what i have to look at. Yes color change but anti freeze is not specified, so from what color to what color its ok?
    Thanks in advance
    Chris
     
  9. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 4, 2001
    36,426
    Birmingham, AL
    Full Name:
    Tommy
    Anyone have a favorite fluid?

    I have always used ATE Dot 4 but I'm willing to change if recommended.
     
  10. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,090
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    Brian Crall
    I consider a PH tester pretty worthless. The antifreeze has a host of chemicals for various reasons and some important ones only last a year in most. Just change it annually. If you are using Caterpiller ELC or Shell ELC NF you can go 5 years.
     
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  11. Fiat4Fun

    Fiat4Fun Formula Junior

    Jul 1, 2008
    315
    Sunriver OR
    Full Name:
    Bob
    Great, thanks for all the feedback. Anyone have a link to the brake fluid tester that they like? With all these old cars here, that would be a nice tool add ;-)
     
  12. Imatk

    Imatk Formula Junior

    May 6, 2007
    768
    I bought one of those electronic doohikey ones and it was absolute garbage.

    It showed I needed to change the fluid on a car I knew I had very recently flushed.

    So I opened a new sealed container of brake fluid... apparently the brand new fluid also needed changing LOL.

    So I now have the strips.

    The strips are easy and they actually work.
     
  13. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    Jun 11, 2004
    11,222
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    Additives in antifreeze are generally to protect from corrosion. Antifreeze becomes corrosive when it becomes acidic. Any pH less than 7 is acidic. Fresh coolant is typically around pH 8.
     
  14. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Brian Crall
    I and many coworkers have had electronic testers for decades with universal satisfaction. They actually work.
     
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  15. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Brian Crall
    Try educating yourself on the subject. Far more to it than that. we are talking about the 21st century here. We don't use alcohol anymore either.
     
  16. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    Jun 11, 2004
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    For example, Honda 50:50 coolant has a pH of 7.9 according to Honda MSDS. I don't know. I must be doing something right. 39 years with my 85 308 QV and everything in the cooling system, except the coolant, is original except some hoses and never a problem.
     
  17. Zenobie

    Zenobie Formula Junior

    Feb 22, 2021
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    Belgium
    Full Name:
    CO
    https://www.aliexpress.com/gcp/300000512/nnmixupdatev3?spm=a2g0o.detail.pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller.2.5fe2ss0gss0gd0&productIds=1005006904448884&pha_manifest=ssr&_immersiveMode=true&disableNav=YES&channelLinkTag=nn_newgcp&sourceName=pcDetailTopMoreOtherSellerProduct&utparam-url=scene%3ApcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller%7Cquery_from%3A
    Sorry for the long link.
    Although I don't have the experience of Rifledriver at all (not by a long shot), I can confirm that the thing does work. I did the test on all 4 of my cars, 2 of which I knew had never been changed between 3 and 8 years. And yes, those 2 came out badly, but with nuance = different reading. The other 2 were ok, but also with a nuance that one contained more but quite acceptable moisture than the other
     
  18. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 4, 2001
    36,426
    Birmingham, AL
    Full Name:
    Tommy
    Why not just bleed it out once a year and be sure?

    No big deal.
     
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  19. Sergio Tavares

    Sergio Tavares Formula 3

    Nov 15, 2018
    1,308
    Full Name:
    Sergio Tavares
    Exactly true idea!
    You are not bleeding the ABS return circuit as 1 year you hedge the bet and when driving that year the abs circuit will be flushed in use.
     

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