Brake Fluid: Testing and Inspection

NOTE: Brake fluid contaminated with a hydrocarbon/mineral based fluid (power steering or transmission fluid) can be detected by an obvious swelling of the master cylinder cap gasket. If the swollen brake master cylinder gasket condition is present, all brake system rubber parts must be replaced. All brake tubes and hoses must be thoroughly flushed with High Performance DOT-3 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid C6AZ- 19542-AB or equivalent fluid meeting Ford Specification ESA-M6C25-A and DOT-3 before the vehicle goes back into service.

FLUID COLOR
Hydraulic brake fluid color must conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 116. Under this standard, brake fluids are visually different from other automotive fluids such as transmission, power steering and engine oil.


REASONS FOR COLOR CHANGE
The color of the fluid in a normal brake system in service can vary from its original color for many reasons. Sometimes a brake master cylinder may show significantly different shades of color of fluid between the two brake master cylinder reservoir compartments. Color may appear to vary between cast steel and die cast aluminum reservoirs. Some of the reasons for the apparent difference in color in a system are listed below:
^ Fluid discoloration can occur due to heat and/or aging.
^ Difference in fluid color of a two-compartment brake master cylinder reservoir can be due to the different operating temperatures or different rates of normal oxidation between the two reservoir compartments.
^ Fluid discoloration can exist when different brands / shades of brake fluid are used in topping off during normal service.
^ Fluid discoloration can occur through dissolution of color dye used on brake master cylinder internal springs in manufacturer's assembly procedure.