Oil changes are very important. A few weeks ago, we shared with you some serious sludge in a Sprite oil filter canister, filled with gunk perhaps because the filter had never been cleaned. (More on that adventure here.) But classic car hydraulic system maintenance is perhaps even more critical, and this week, we have a great example of why this needs your attention, perhaps more attention than even your regular engine oil changes.
Classic car hydraulic systems are seldom sealed and usually vented to the atmosphere. This lets air in, and moisture too. Over time, that moisture will make a real mess of your brake and clutch hydraulics.
The photo of the bottle above features waste hydraulic fluid that was removed from a Bugeye brake system when the old fluid that came in the car was exchanged for new fresh fluid. Normally the fluid comes out dark, discolored from time and the related moisture and impurities. In this case, such a significant amount of water came out of the car that it was visible resting on top of the hydraulic fluid. (Traditional brake fluid absorbs moisture, but they don’t mix so you can see the water sitting on top of the fluid.)
The moral of this story is to change your hydraulic fluid frequently, every two years at a minimum; otherwise, you will soon be replacing all your wheel cylinders as well as your master cylinder and clutch slave, as the water in the system will corrode all these important parts. Once they corrode, seal destruction and fluid leakage is not far behind!
We offer all of the parts you need to completely overhaul your hydraulic system in our catalog. Check them out below and click on the pictures to order yours!
