Premature Brake Fluid Flush?

stig_3754 · 20-04-2017, 04:23 PM

So my ST is at a well known Ford Dealer for it's 75,000km service today. The Service Advisor calls me and tells me that the Brake Fluid needs to be flushed as it's 'deeply contaminated'. I point out to him that Brake Fluid flushes are 'recommended' every 2 years according to Ford, and it was already flushed in this car in July 2016. The Service Advisor looks up the history in the system and confirms that this was indeed the case and he seems confused, so I decline that offer and ask him to find out more information about this as it doesn't seem right.

So unless anyone knows of a possible way it could contaminate so quickly, it seems to me that either of 2 things have occurred here. Either the mechanic/advisor is telling porkies to try and upsell a Brake Fluid Flush when not really necessary, or more alarmingly, it was never flushed at the last service when requested.

On the plus side, I've been driving around in a Ranger loan car today and I feel like a tradie.

**GO FURTHER** · 20-04-2017, 04:31 PM

I've heard some Ford dealers only change the actual fluid sitting in the reservoir, instead of flushing all the brake lines as well.

Blue Dog · 20-04-2017, 04:32 PM

You should of asked how they know it's "deeply contaminated"?
Did they submit the brake fluid to some kind of test?
What's the name of the Dealership?

stig_3754 · 20-04-2017, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Dog

You should of asked how they know it's "deeply contaminated"?
Did they submit the brake fluid to some kind of test?
What's the name of the Dealership?

I just had a call back from the Service Advisor. It's all ready and apparently the Brake Fluid is fine now.

'Something' was apparently leaking around the engine and they cleaned it up and it's good to go. They'll just note it down to check again at the next service.

Looks more like they got caught out and they're just trying to cover their asses.

As for testing, he just told me the first time that they used their 'tester' and found this.

Blue Dog · 20-04-2017, 05:03 PM

I think the only testing done was testing you!
So they didn't repair the "something" leakage?
Just cleaned it up & it's good to go?
Please. please, please PM me the name of the Dealership, I don't want to go there.

stig_3754 · 20-04-2017, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Dog

I think the only testing done was testing you!
So they didn't repair the "something" leakage?
Just cleaned it up & it's good to go?
Please. please, please PM me the name of the Dealership, I don't want to go there.

Yeah I think the same. Just trying to cover themselves for being caught out I think. I don't believe there's anything 'leaking' to begin with. I'll pick up the car in the morning so I'll report any further 'findings' then.

bernbo · 20-04-2017, 05:30 PM

When i took the territory in to ford for a service they did actually pop the reservoir lid and used a thing like a digital hydrometer town test the fluid. It is hydroscopic so it does retain and attract water over time thus reducing its effectiveness. Here is a kincrome one.
https://www.kincrome.com.au/brake-fluid-tester

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

PaulXR50 · 20-04-2017, 06:25 PM

Going by my past experiences with dealers they didn't do it in 2016.

So far they haven't cleaned the battery terminals, remove wheels to do B service and on the opposite side topped up the radiator coolant while hot, so had to drain some when cold. Who knows what else they didn't do.

All the one dealer. Couple of other dealers found poor for other issues so am fast running out of dealers in Brisbane..(really is off putting if thinking about extending warranty.)

stig_3754 · 21-04-2017, 11:09 AM

Just an update on this. I picked up the car this morning and they confirmed again that the brake fluid is OK, and that there was some mysterious build up under the reservoir near the engine mount. He couldn't tell me what that was as they couldn't see any leaks anywhere and they didn't recognise it. It could've been something that splashed up from a bump in the road for all we know. So they cleaned it all up and flagged it to be checked at the next service.

If I didn't challenge the original diagnosis, the outcome would've been an unnecessary flush of the brake fluid. Part of me still thinks that they're just covering themselves. Either way, they've either tried to screw me out of more money or just simply misdiagnosed the issue unwillingly.

You be the judge I guess.

Trump · 21-04-2017, 11:14 AM

I'm wondering whether they actually changed the fluid at the previous service..

**gregaust** · 21-04-2017, 09:05 PM

Just liars trying to rip you. Well done I say

As mentioned , yes there is a tester that measures the fluid for moisture contamination, but by sounds of it I very much doubt that has been used here

Stefan · 21-04-2017, 09:53 PM

I would not have been able to resist asking how a mysterious leak that they have no idea what it is would result and be resolved by flushing brake fluid? Then simply watch him um and ahh and stutter an answer.

Their story make no sense...busted for telling porkies...

bangm001 · 24-04-2017, 10:19 AM

Find a private mech you can trust...

JET62 · 24-04-2017, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bangm001

Find a private mech you can trust...

I had one of those. Until he went O/S and went overseas. Left his son and offsider in charge. Funnily enough, my car "needed" a brake fluid flush. Damned if I could work out how he did it without disturbing the dirt on the bleed nipples.
Never went back on the premise that the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree.

I should add that he also changed the spark plugs without disturbing the dust on the plug boots.