Clutch/brake fluid change

[stolzy]

My local BMW dealer says to change the brake fluid every 2 years and the clutch fluid every 4 years.
BMW seem to say brake fluid every year and clutch fluid every 2 years - who is right?

 

[Steptoe]

My local BMW dealer says to change the brake fluid every 2 years and the clutch fluid every 4 years.
BMW seem to say brake fluid every year and clutch fluid every 2 years - who is right?

Depends on servo brakes and also what circuit

The longer you leave the clutch fluid the more likely ( certainty) that the clutch bleed unit will be seized. And the rear caliper bleed nipple will seize if left undisturbed for years.

Not the end of the world, but it can all be avoided. And bleeding the clutch fluid will give you plenty of warning of slave cylinder failure by checking the state of the fluid. Your bike, your decision.

On bikes i service all the brake and clutch fluids get changed at the 12k mile service. Less grief for the future, and to be honest the extra cost is bugger all.

Doing a service is also about taking preventitive measures, not just an oil/filter change.

 

[motobiker]

Doing a service is also about taking preventitive measures, not just an oil/filter change.

Absolutely right.

 

[stolzy]

The bike has servo brakes.
I'd still love to know how the situation arises that BMW say one thing and the dealer another

 

[Demongroover]

The bike has servo brakes.
I'd still love to know how the situation arises that BMW say one thing and the dealer another

Profits?

Brake fluid is DOT4, hydroscopic, standard replacement is 2 years on all vehicles including cars & vans I have ever worked on.

Clutch fluid is a lot less hydroscopic so 4 years sounds about right, but the fluid is Vitamol V10 and very rare in any vehicle so I don't have any specific information on this.

Steptoe is right, service (and cleaning a bike) is as much about prevention as anything else.

 

[Steptoe]

but the fluid is Vitamol V10

Not in the 1150 bikes. They use Dot 4.

 

[Canuck]

For a few pounds worth of oil I change every year that way I don't have to worry about thinking how often I should change fluids.

 

[Pekkavee]

What is Vitamol V10, used in R1200GS bikes etc.
Is it just some standard hydraulic mineral oil which BMW sells with a very hight price and special name?

R1150 uses DOT 4 as Steptoe said.

Pekka

 

[raginmund]

hydroscopic.

This and the oil threads are worth it just for words like hydroscopic.

I'd going to beat someone with that in Scrabble.

 

[Two wheels good]

hygroscopic

This and the oil threads are worth it just for words like hydroscopic.
I'd going to beat someone with that in Scrabble.

Best to remember it's "hygroscopic" - with a 'g'. Odd that.

 

[raginmund]

Best to remember it's "hygroscopic" - with a 'g'. Odd that.

Thanks, you just saved me a severe Scrabble faux pas, ie. being smug about a word that doesn't exist

I'd just like to ask you Two Wheels Good; are four wheels actually bad?

 

[Wrigsby1]

Thanks, you just saved me a severe Scrabble faux pas, ie. being smug about a word that doesn't exist


Ah, but who would know

 

[raginmund]

Thanks, you just saved me a severe Scrabble faux pas, ie. being smug about a word that doesn't exist


Ah, but who would know

The spelling nazis.

They already control the internet

 

[The Sea Dog]

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