Boiling Brake fluid ???
Discussion
During a reasonably spirited drive at the weekend I noticed the sudden alarming uselesness of my brakes. I duly stopped (using the gears mostly 
) and got out to have a look and see if I could find the cause of the problem. I saw no physical evidence of anything untoward but did notice an acrid burning smell. At first I assumed it was my back brakes as I've just renewed the pads on the front and the discs are fine. Gingerly I drove off in the direction of the nearest garage to get it looked at, but I noticed that my brakes seemed to be back to their old selves 
I took it very easy all the way home. Having not experienced it before I didn't think of it initially, but could I have boiled my brake fluid ??? What do ya think guys ??
) and got out to have a look and see if I could find the cause of the problem. I saw no physical evidence of anything untoward but did notice an acrid burning smell. At first I assumed it was my back brakes as I've just renewed the pads on the front and the discs are fine. Gingerly I drove off in the direction of the nearest garage to get it looked at, but I noticed that my brakes seemed to be back to their old selves I took it very easy all the way home. Having not experienced it before I didn't think of it initially, but could I have boiled my brake fluid ??? What do ya think guys ??quote:
During a reasonably spirited drive at the weekend I noticed the sudden alarming uselesness of my brakes. I duly stopped (using the gears mostly
Well, maybe your brakes need uprating? Sounds like you pushed them to far.
Or if you have just replaced them they still need bedding in.
Could be the handbrake stuck on?
Or you have a hedgehog cooking by the exhaust manifold!
When did you last change your brake fluid? Doesn't it absorb water from the atmosphere over time and become prone to boiling?
I know my PanzerKampfWagen has a little light that comes on every two years exactly to tell you to change it 'cos the forst time it happened I couldn't work out what the fock it was
I know my PanzerKampfWagen has a little light that comes on every two years exactly to tell you to change it 'cos the forst time it happened I couldn't work out what the fock it was
quote:
During a reasonably spirited drive at the weekend I noticed the sudden alarming uselesness of my brakes. I duly stopped (using the gears mostly
Generally, I'd say brake fade indicates a problem with the pads, and loss of pedal indicates a problem with the fluid and/or hydraulics. You seem to be describing a pad problem.
If you've got new pads (this includes pads that have been on a long time but never been bedded in properly) they'll stink the first time they get really hot as the resins burns off. If you've followed the bedding in cycle, you'll have noticed this then and shouldn't get it again subsequently unless you severely overheat the pads.
I find it's quite possible to cook standard compound pads, and also quite easy to cook fast road pads if they haven't been bedded in properly. But if you have the correct fast road pads bedded in properly, you shouldn't suffer from brake fade on the road unless you are doing repeated high speed stops.
Hope this helps,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
I boiled my brake fluid on a track day last year. - all was ok as i pulled in to the pits, then i got in again a minute later to drive off to get some petrol, went to brake and absolutely NOTHING,I nearly ran someone over, and only just stopped using my cerbies(totally useless) handbrake. - I opened the bonnet, and the brake fliud had all boiled over and come out of the top of the cylinder!!
Very scary. - didnt stop me from going back out for further runs though!!
Very scary. - didnt stop me from going back out for further runs though!!
quote:
I agree with Peter, BTW if you had boiled the fluid the brakes would not have come back at all, the boiling action fills the fluid with gases thus rendering it totally useless.
Not necessarily true - I boiled my fluid on a performance driving day earlier on this year - I stopped to let my engine cool down & popped my bonnet & the fluid boiled after I had stopped (heat soak I assume)
After things had cooled down, I cautiously went & tested my brakes again & they felt fine, and were fine from then on for the rest of the day.
Don't worry, I have since had the fluid replaced at the earliest opportunity
cheers,
Craig
>> Edited by craigalsop on Thursday 20th June 08:37
I managed to get some serious fade form my brakes whilst on holiday in the lake district, we were coming down the A686, it has lots of twists and turns so repeated high speed braking was required, I have drilled and grooved discs with green stuff pads. I started smell burning and the brake pedal was hard but didn’t stop us, when I got out the pads were smoking through the wheels. After they cooled the brake still had no bite but after a few miles they were back to normal.
Should I fit Red stuff when I go to Zolder? I think I’ll bleed the brakes as well.
Should I fit Red stuff when I go to Zolder? I think I’ll bleed the brakes as well.
quote:
If you've followed the bedding in cycle, you'll have noticed this then and shouldn't get it again subsequently unless you severely overheat the pads.
Sounds like the most likely cause !!! Replaced the fluid anyway, it was in the car since I bought it. Thanks for all the help guys !!!
quote:
quote:
If you put the handbrake on after a track day it may boil the brake fluid.
that isn't why you don't use the handbrake when the brakes are hot, and I have never heard of that.
Leaving the pads in contact with hot discs can actually 'weld' the pads on to the discs!
R
Did a bloke down the pub tell you that!
I am surprised you do not know of the handbrake thing, if you do any track days, as its a one of the common bits of knowledge that you first learn.
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