Q: Dealer advised during brake fluid flush that fluid has congealed in tank. Tank needs to be replaced unless a way can be found to r

asked by on August 19, 2017

Dealer advised during brake fluid flush that fluid has congealed in tank. Tank needs to be replaced unless a way can be found to remove congealed brake fluid. Is this common? What could have caused this? I had brake fluid flushed 2 years ago on schedule.

My car has 20000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

Brake Master Cylinder Replacement $172.33 - $936.72 Get a Quote

Brake fluid can congeal in vehicle braking systems but it is not common. The contaminants that cause this vary from moisture to system materials wearing off to adding mistaken fluids to the brake fluid, such as engine oil. The remedy depends solely on how extensive the contaminated material is. Congealed material will often remain in situ and cause no problems. Consequently, I would not be too quick to remove or replace anything until you have an objective third party expert evaluate what you have. If the congealed material is at the bottom of the plastic master cylinder reservoir, for instance, such is cleanable and no parts replacement is required, save for replacement rubber grommets if it is disassembled. If you desire that the contamination you see be evaluated, please request brake master cylinder inspection. Note on the order ticket that you desire an inspection ONLY at the outset and you will be charged only for an inspection, not replacement. If parts are necessary, obviously the mechanic will go over that in high detail, including explaining why. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic because we want you to make the most of your repair dollars and help you to get the best possible results.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Getting a Check engine light and codes
These codes are related to intake air ports not opening and closing at proper times. This can be related to carbon buildup inside the intake, a vacuum leak, or a faulty electric solenoid depending on the setup. I would start...
Car bucks when I put it in reverse and drive.
Check your idle speed. If your vehicle is idling too high, it will buck when you engage the transmission. Your idle speed in park should be around 500-600 RPM's. If you are noticing the RPMs to be higher that usual,...
I just replaced my brake master cylinder and the brakes still feel soft. What do I need to do after I replace the master cylinder
From what you've described you will have to bleed your brakes (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-does-it-mean-to-bleed-your-brakes). Also, I believe you may have a leak (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-fluid-is-leaking-inspection) in one of the lines. You may want to use a wrench and tighten the lines a little more....
My Oil Pressure Light blinks when I come to a stop. What's wrong?
This is likely a sign of low oil pressure, which is usually caused by a leak or low oil levels. I would start by checking your oil to be sure the oil level is at the appropriate capacity. You should...
Ignition fuse keeps blowing, all back lights don't work, gauges messed up, can't shift out of park when engine is on.
The ignition switch is damaged and needs replaced. The contacts inside the ignition switch is are shorting out with itself. This is why the switch has to be in a specific position to release the shift interlock solenoid. If you...
My steering wheel in my 2004 chevy cavalier is tight and stiff
Make sure that your tires are not under inflated in the front. If there is adequate power steering fluid and the belt driving the pump pulley is properly tensioned, the output pressure of the pump should be measured. If the...
Front passenger side knocking sound while on driving pressing the gas. Could be on wheel or belt bearing. Goes when gas is pressed
It's possible that it could be an axle or bearing, but it could be an engine noise, too, that is only apparent when the engine is under load driving the wheels (revving the engine in park does not load the...
2016 vw tiguan ac compressor failed do i need to replace ac condenser aswell
If the failure caused the system to be contaminated with metallic debris, the condenser would certainly have to be carefully inspected and might have to be replaced depending on what that inspection reveals. If there is no system contamination from...
How long can I ride on bad struts
Hello, thank you for writing in. The time you have will completely depend on how bad the struts are now, and how much stress you want to put onto the rest of the vehicle. Worn struts will cause stress to...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 BMW Z4
BMW’s BMW’s entry in the hardtop roadster segment, the Z4 delivers the ideal combination of performance, looks, and standard comfort features. This two seater is not only classically stylish and heavy on extras that aren’t, well, extra, it’s also the...
BMW Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Car Program
Shopping Shopping for a used BMW vehicle often leads many drivers to consider certified pre-owned options. BMW is one of many manufacturers that have a certified pre-owned (CPO) program. Each car manufacturer structures their CPO program differently; read on to...
Understanding the BMW Condition Based Servicing and Service Indicator Lights
Car symbols, or dashboard lights, are a car service reminder. The BMW Condition Based Servicing system indicates when and what service your car needs.