BRAKE FLUID

Ques 1: Why does Brake Fluid need to be replaced periodically ?

Ans : The Brake Fluid should be replaced every Two years or 40,000 Kilometers. As Brake Fluid absorbs moisture so approx. 3% moisture contains the Brake fluid within 2 years, due to this the Fluid Boiling Point (ERBP) also reduces drastically. This causes a number of problems:

1) Viscosity rises in low temperature so more force to be applied for brakes every time.
2) Spongy brake paddle due to Vapour lock.
3) Brake failures due to ice crystals in brake systems.
4) Moisture wears the component failure due to internal rust and deterioration.

An average a brake is operated about 72,000 times in a year due to so much operation, a fine particle of rust sludge has formed due to moisture , which may causes following problems :

1) May chock the brake lines.
2) Increase the viscosity of brake fluid for apply the more force is required every time and
indirectly it takes more time to apply the brake in full strength thus accident chance has increased.

Therefore, it is recommended Brake Fluid should change on every 40,000 Kilometers.

Ques 2: What is the significant of color in Brake Fluid?

Ans : Presently brake fluid is available in Blue, Crimson Red, Pale Yellow & colorless (Water White).
The color is only mixed in brake fluid to detect the leakage easily. The Dye has no others role in brake
fluid and also not effect the quality of the brake fluid what so ever the color of liquid.

Ques 3: Which impurity is most effect the brake fluid ?

Ans : The mineral oil based product like Diesel, Kerosene, Gear oil, Petrol., Lube oil, Transmission oil and Greases etc are most effected the rubber parts of the brake assembly and if it is more than 0.25 % in the brake fluid the rubber part starts swell beyond the limit and starts deteriorated immediately.

Ques 4: What precaution should be taken for Brake fluid ?

Ans : The following precaution should be taken for Brake Fluid :

1) Don’t clean brake system components with petroleum solvents as they will contaminate brake fluid. Use brake fluid as cleaner.
2) Don’t lubricate brake system components with petroleum greases or oil. Use fresh Brake Fluid as lubricant.
3) Never re-use Brake Fluid.
4) Never use the Silicon based Brake Fluid (DOT 5) in race car system.
5) Never mix Silicon Brake Fluid (DOT 5) with glycol based Brake Fluid.

If the Brake Fluid consumption is small. Use smeller containers that can be used quickly.

If fluid remains in container be sure to tightly seal & do not store for long period of times.

Immediately replace master cylinder reservoir cap following any maintanance.

For Brake Fluid Details please click Here

ANTIFREEZE COOLANT OR RADIATOR COOLANT 

Ques 1: What is the different between Conventional & Extended life Coolant ?

Ans : There is only difference between additives of both Coolant. Conventional type coolant contain the inorganic additive in major portion & life extended Coolant contains organic acid additive in major portion. The additive of conventional degrades fast so its life is short & life extended additive degrades slowly so its life is longer. The conventional & life extended should not be mixed together.

Ques 2: What are main bases of the Antifreeze Coolant ?

Ans : Antifreeze Coolant are based upon :
         (I)   Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG)
         (II) Mono Propylene Glycol (MPG)

The MEG based Coolant is more toxic than MPG but the MEG is cheaper & easily available. Therefore, major share is based upon MEG base.

Ques 3: Why water is recommended to mix with the Coolant?

Ans : (a) Water is one of the cheapest & every where available solvent & it is also bio-degradable, environment friendly, non toxic & non reactive product.
(b) The heat transfer property of the water is much higher than other similar products so it keeps engine cool, efficient & indirectly less power is required to circulate the coolant. The size of radiator, pump & engine body can be reduced .
(c) Water reduces the freezing point & increases the boiling point of the coolant.
(d) Water activates the corrosion inhibitor which is mixed in the coolant.

Ques 4: What is the significant of the colour in Antifreeze Coolant ?

Ans : The Coolant is available in Blue, Greenish, Yellow, Orange, Red & Amber colored. The colour is mixed in the coolant to detect the leakage easily. The color of the material has no other role in Antifreeze Coolant. Initially it is assumed that Orange, Red & Amber colored Coolants are Life Extended Coolant and Blue, Greenish, etc., are conventional type but now, a days it is not so.

Ques 5: Why 100% water can not be used as a Coolant ?

Ans : Water has very good heat transfer property than other Coolant materials but it is also most corrosive material in comparison with other Coolant materials. The ordinary water always contains some dissolved minerals, so after evaporation of the water these impurities remain in Coolant & formed a Scale in Coolant System, thus reduced the heat transfer property of the engine. Therefore, 100% water has spoiled the coolant system due to corrosion & scale. The evaporation rate of water is higher in comparison with Glycols so the topping & the addition of water is required many times than other materials & each time it leaves a more scale in the system. The distilled & demineralise water have own their problems like affinity to the Aluminium metal etc. The Freezing point of water is 0º C and in the world there are so many regions where the temperature goes below 0º C in winter and the water is freezed in vehicles and became non- operative.

For Coolant Details please click Here

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