My 1995 Ford Contour is missing its brake fluid cap. It's still driveable (i.e. the brakes work), but what kind of problem can this cause? I'm guessing that the main concern would be foreign objects entering the braking system and either decreasing the braking efficiency or even perhaps rupturing the brake line. I should be getting a new cap today and won't be driving again until I do, but should I get my brake fluid flushed and the system checked before I do any real driving again?
2006-09-14 01:24:30 · 8 answers · asked by foreyes4 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You are correct that you do not want any foreign objects getting into the fluid, but also moisture from the air can contaminate the fluid lowering the boiling point which can lead to brake failure. Get the cap replaced and get the system flushed out.
2006-09-14 01:30:09 · answer #1 · answered by mtbman1016 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your right about foreign objects enter the fluid, something as small as a grain of sand can cause a seal to fail.
It's a good idea also to have the fluid flushed.
Other things to worry about are getting air in the brake, that will greatly reduce the stopping power, and may even cause the brakes to not work.
You can also get moisture in there, this reduces the boiling point of the fluid, so under heavy breaking the fluid will boil and become useless until it cools.
Get the cap replaced asap, and good catch on spotting it.
2006-09-14 08:30:52 · answer #2 · answered by Shockey Monkey 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid, and hydraulic fluids absorb moisture out of the air (not to mention dust, dirt, bugs, etc). This is why hydraulic systems are always sealed, and why larger systems have moisture removal devices designed into them. Moisture in your brake system will cause corrosion which will very quickly begin to degrade your braking ability, and can be quite expensive to repair even if you do not get into an accident. Replacement caps are cheap. Your best bet is to buy a replacement cap immediately and install it as soon as you exit the store.
2006-09-14 08:32:35 · answer #3 · answered by My Evil Twin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes ,you should get your brake system fuushed after you replace the cap depending on the length of time that you eave the cap off ,since the brake fluid attracts moisture it could adversly affect your braking system and your mechanism,mostly reccomend to fill the resovoir with new fluid and bleed the entire system,good luck,delmy
2006-09-14 08:40:14 · answer #4 · answered by delmy d 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't want dirt in your brake fluid, buy a cap before you have major braking problems.
2006-09-14 08:44:00 · answer #5 · answered by Thomas S 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
actually you shouldn't drive it you might get air in the lines and yes you need a fluid exchange after you get the cap relaced
2006-09-14 08:51:51 · answer #6 · answered by tech2287 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if once you put the cap on if you still have good brakes then it'll be OK but if your brakes don't seam to be working that good then you need to have your brake lines bleed
2006-09-14 08:50:26 · answer #7 · answered by jaxson1960 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the fluid ought to be replaced every four or five years anyway.
2006-09-14 08:32:26 · answer #8 · answered by XT rider 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋