Brake Fluid moisture content - service interval?

[Alan555]

2.0 Diesel Yeti 4 yr service.  Dealer has advised that the brake fluid moisture content is high and I should have it changed at a cost of £60.  I have had the car from new and had 3 free services included, and I'm thinking that in keeping with other VW AUDI SKODA models ( I had driven several Golfs previously) that the brake fluid should have been changed at the 3 year point?  Car is low mileage (22,000) if that makes a difference?

Also advised I should have an air con service and fuel "conditioning" work done ( I think that is what he said)

Grateful of any opinions / advice on this, especailly the brake fluid issue.

[xman]

1 minute ago, Alan555 said:

the brake fluid should have been changed at the 3 year point? 

Correct, as in the Skoda service schedule.

 

I doubt their claim they found excessive moisture in the fluid is true. Did they give you the readings and limits? No use asking now, they'll make it up.

 

Used to be £35 about 3 years ago. That's inflation.

 

Ask for a hefty discount as they didn't advise you at the third year service when it is in the Skoda service schedule.

[Stubod]

...bet they don't change it, probably take a little out and top it up and the fluid you need to change is the stuff that is actually down in the wheel cylinders as this fluid will get the hottest (I assume). + I doubt they have the equipment for analysing moisture content?

I had my last car for 17 years and never thought about changing the brake fluid, (nb I am not suggesting you should wait 17 years!, but I never had any issues "stopping", and brakes always passed the MOT). A lot of money for not a lot of work, but I suppose they have to make their money some how!

[KenONeill]

@Alan555 - Well, I'm not going to be totally cynical about this:_

1. Brake fluid is hygroscopic; the rate at which it absorbs moisture is time dependent rather than mileage dependent.
2. Can you still get a "cold blast" from the a/c by setting the demand temperature to "lo"? If you can't, that's when you need an a/c service, but you'll get a better job for less money from a specialist than from a dealer, who will probably charge you what the specialist does, plus their mechanic's time at the charge out rate.
3. "Fuel conditioning". If you;re thinking about this, I'm sales agent for a variety of historic bridges... 😉

Edited 25 July, 2019 by KenONeill
Misspelling

[Breezy_Pete]

11 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

hydroscobic

Close.

Hygroscopic.  

 

[Tech1e]

23 minutes ago, Stubod said:

...bet they don't change it, probably take a little out and top it up and the fluid you need to change is the stuff that is actually down in the wheel cylinders as this fluid will get the hottest (I assume). + I doubt they have the equipment for analysing moisture content?

I had my last car for 17 years and never thought about changing the brake fluid, (nb I am not suggesting you should wait 17 years!, but I never had any issues "stopping", and brakes always passed the MOT). A lot of money for not a lot of work, but I suppose they have to make their money some how!

 

A brake fluid check tool is less than £15. Why would a tech not have one in their toolbox? Mine sits next to my refractometer for coolant. 

 

And why wouldn’t we change the fluid? Every dealer has the appropriate kit to do it and it is very little hassle. If you are found to have not done it and charged a customer at the very least it’s an instant dismissal. Not sure about others but my job would be worth more than cutting corners. 

[KenONeill]

4 minutes ago, Wino said:

Close.

Hygroscopic.  

 

Cheers; Neither spelling is recognised by Mickeyshaft!

[Breezy_Pete]

And I've never heard of Mickeyshaft. 

Sounds rude.

[shyVRS245]

1 minute ago, Wino said:

And I've never heard of Mickeyshaft. 

Sounds rude.

You can find it on 69.cum

[KenONeill]

1 hour ago, Stubod said:

the fluid you need to change is the stuff that is actually down in the wheel cylinders as this fluid will get the hottest (I assume)

Leaving aside the bit where you've just accused garages of systematically committing fraud, you're talking nonsense. Water will be absorbed at the fluid-air boundary, and at the wheel cylinders there is no such boundary (as long as the piston seals do their job, and the water content in the brake fluid is not your most urgent problem if they stop sealing; getting the car stopped is).

Edited 25 July, 2019 by KenONeill

[Alan555]

Thanks for the replies.  In the video the technician says the moisture content is 3%!  Not sure what the criteria is.

[KenONeill]

4 minutes ago, Alan555 said:

Thanks for the replies.  In the video the technician says the moisture content is 3%!  Not sure what the criteria is.

No problem. I would read the underscore as "97% of the content is not liquid" rather than "3% water, 97% brake fluid" which I presume is what they meant.

[Llanigraham]

17 minutes ago, Tech1e said:

 

A brake fluid check tool is less than £15. Why would a tech not have one in their toolbox? Mine sits next to my refractometer for coolant. 

 

And why wouldn’t we change the fluid? Every dealer has the appropriate kit to do it and it is very little hassle. If you are found to have not done it and charged a customer at the very least it’s an instant dismissal. Not sure about others but my job would be worth more than cutting corners. 

 

Well said.

 

[Llanigraham]

49 minutes ago, Stubod said:

...bet they don't change it, probably take a little out and top it up and the fluid you need to change is the stuff that is actually down in the wheel cylinders as this fluid will get the hottest (I assume). + I doubt they have the equipment for analysing moisture content?

I had my last car for 17 years and never thought about changing the brake fluid, (nb I am not suggesting you should wait 17 years!, but I never had any issues "stopping", and brakes always passed the MOT). A lot of money for not a lot of work, but I suppose they have to make their money some how!

 

What a load of rubbish!
Those comments suggest you know nothing about brakes and their technologies, and even less about safety.

[Alan555]

16 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

No problem. I would read the underscore as "97% of the content is not liquid" rather than "3% water, 97% brake fluid" which I presume is what they meant.

I understand your interpretation.  His exact words were "the brake mositure content is at 3%",  but I will be querying this later today as I really want to know if they did a fluid change or top up last year why the moisture content is high.

[Breezy_Pete]

If they can't show you evidence that it was changed as scheduled at 3y, you should push for a free change and a free aircon service by way of compensation for their previous failure.

[xman]

4 minutes ago, Alan555 said:

 I really want to know if they did a fluid change or top up last year why the moisture content is high.

Maybe because of your daily commute...

😋

[Alan555]

Nice one but I'm not diving through any fords or live by the sea

[Guest]

Brake Fluid change is not part of any service schedule; Minor or Major or the new system they operate; Oil Service, Intermediate or Major Service.

 

Since owning my vehicle in 2010 it has always been an 'extra' first one recommended at 3 years, then every 2 years there after. 

 

https://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/servicing-maintenance-fixed-price

 

From the many years that I've been on here I'm aware the Yeti Section is peculiar to itself. So maybe that also applies to its servicing. In which case I apologise.

 

[Zarniwoop]

31 minutes ago, Fin69 said:

Brake Fluid change is not part of any service schedule; Minor or Major or the new system they operate; Oil Service, Intermediate or Major Service.

 

Since owning my vehicle in 2010 it has always been an 'extra' first one recommended at 3 years, then every 2 years there after. 

 

https://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/servicing-maintenance-fixed-price

 

From the many years that I've been on here I'm aware the Yeti Section is peculiar to itself. So maybe that also applies to its servicing. In which case I apologise.

 

 

No apology needed Fin69:  you are spot on.  I have always understood that  a fluid change at three years is recommended (as is a further change every two years thereafter), but that it is an optional extra to the scheduled 3 year (fixed) service.  I don't know what arrangements there are for those on variable servicing.  I would be surprised, however,  if a main dealer had failed to recommend the fluid change at three years,  in the same way as they will try to get you to have other things done, too,  as was the op's experience. They seldom miss a trick for extra revenue.

[Yetiflute]

My main dealer has been pestering me to book the car in for a brake fluid change and MOT when it is 3 years old next month. It is on variable service and not due for any other action as far as he is concerned so credit to him for reminding me. I told him that I had already booked it in to my local mechanic across the road from my house and that as well as the two items they mentioned it would be having the gen5 haldex oil changed including removing its pump, cleaning it and the filter therein. Though my local independent guy was fully aware of all these gen5 haldex requirements and potential problems the Skoda dealer expressed surprise and ignorance of that requirement. Having everything else serviced as well as a pre end of warranty checkup. Thereafter a good new post warranty start of service with my local wizard independent guy.

[Austin 7]

Setting aside the risk of lowered brake fluid boiling point, which is not fun if the brakes get really hot, a high moisture content will eventually cause corrosion in the brake calipers.  Expensive to repair.  It might also cause corrosion within the ABS pump.  Very Expensive to repair. So if you intend keeping the car, paying out a few tens of pounds every couple of years seems to me to be a reasonable "insurance premium" rather than falling for an unnecessary money making scheme on the part of the garage.  3% water content is believable after a couple of years.

 

"Fuel conditioning" on the other hand sounds of more doubtful benefit - is this Skoda backed or just the garage's idea ?

[weasley]

A further consequence of water in the fluid is the increased risk of hydrolysis of the fluid - a high temperature chemical reaction which can render the fluid acidic (and thus corrosive) as well as increasing the viscosity of the fluid.

[Alan555]

Update to the brake fluid saga.

When I returned to pick up the car and was presented with the bill I asked why there was so much moisture content in the brake fluid if it had been changed at last years service (3 year point)  The assistant went to see the service manager and came back and simply said "we have removed the charge for the brake fluid work"  When I pressed them further they said the brake fluid would have been changed at the 3 yr service but had no further details on the system.

As for the Fuel "conditioning"  I declined it.  The bill described it as "Recommended - Fuel system treatment/cleaner".  I'm guessing this is a money maker some of the garages are now pushing as my wife was recommeded to have something similar done to her 2 year old Honda Civic which is low mileage.



 

[Tech1e]

Recommended by who though? I’d wager it wasn’t Skoda though as they forbid the addition of any additives (other than adblue of course).