Hi all,

I just got my element (~44k miles) back from the dealer having ordered the brake fluid and coolant replaced and flushed. My question is the fluids themselves look pretty new and clean, but is there a way to really tell if the service folks really did the flush or simply drained the fluids?


Thanks!

Hi all,

I just got my element (~44k miles) back from the dealer having ordered the brake fluid and coolant replaced and flushed. My question is the fluids themselves look pretty new and clean, but is there a way to really tell if the service folks really did the flush or simply drained the fluids?


Thanks!

Coolant flush you can't tell. Brake fluid flush is easy to tell. if you paid for it then it wasn't done... no such thing as a brake fluid flush. When brake fluid is changed out every 2-3 years; Honda recommends 3 yrs. All that is done is the fluid is all pumped out through the passenger rear brake line, once new clean fluid is seen then that brake is bled. This continues to the driver rear, passenger front and finally the driver front. When they are all bled and only new fluid is seen, then you are finished changing the brake fluid. If anyone sells you on a brake fluid flush march back in there and get your money back. Brake fluid changeout could be what they are talking about, but I would make sure. I have never heard of anyone charging any extra beyond a standard brake fluid change for a flush. The entire process takes 30-45 minutes max with a semi-competent mechanic.

I've done mine on previous vehicles with a friend in under 30 minutes.

Good question.

Blackstone Labs in Ft. Wayne, Indiana tests auto oil for $20., maybe they test other fluids too or could direct to someone who does. Their phone # is at the bottom of their report to EOC member Mark C:

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21756&highlight=oil+test

Please inform us on any follow-up. Ty.

spdrcr5:

Doh! Well when I called up one dealer (VIP Honda) and asked about brake fluid flush and the difference between brake fluid change, the deal said all we do is flush. Then I asked what is done, dealer service lady said "we pump the brake fluid throughout.".

When I called up another dealer (Planet Honda) and inquired the estimates for a brake fluid flush and brake fluid change, i was quoted 2 different prices. They wanted 125 for the flush and 80 for the change!!

So you are saying all you do is keep pouring in the new brake fluid until all the old gunk is out? Dude that doesn't sound like an 80 dollar or 125 dollar job to me. But don't they use like some type of machine to do the pumping of the liquid?

I see in my brake fluid reserve it's pretty clear. But I guess I can't really tell through the rest of the car if the brake fluid is nasty or not right? Unless I go to some independent oil tester like the other element member suggested.

Dealers.. why do they make it so hard for us to trust them.

spdrcr5:

Doh! Well when I called up one dealer (VIP Honda) and asked about brake fluid flush and the difference between brake fluid change, the deal said all we do is flush. Then I asked what is done, dealer service lady said "we pump the brake fluid throughout.".

When I called up another dealer (Planet Honda) and inquired the estimates for a brake fluid flush and brake fluid change, i was quoted 2 different prices. They wanted 125 for the flush and 80 for the change!!

So you are saying all you do is keep pouring in the new brake fluid until all the old gunk is out? Dude that doesn't sound like an 80 dollar or 125 dollar job to me. But don't they use like some type of machine to do the pumping of the liquid?

I see in my brake fluid reserve it's pretty clear. But I guess I can't really tell through the rest of the car if the brake fluid is nasty or not right? Unless I go to some independent oil tester like the other element member suggested.

Dealers.. why do they make it so hard for us to trust them.

Yes, some dealers have an air powered or a hand pump that can push the fluid through all 4 calipers at one time, or one at a time. It still isn't a "flush" like in a radiator, that animal doesn't exist, never has. All that is ever done is that the fluid is changed out, but you don't want to literally empty it out, you are just pushing new fluid in behind the old fluid. You know you've changed the fluid at each caliper when the new fluid comes out of the caliper. This is why so many fluids come in colors, you can rotate between the colors so you know when the old fluid is out and the new is there, then you start to bleed and remove the air bubbles.

Yes, you're correct in saying $80-$125 is way overpriced to change out the brake fluid. Even if they charged you for 1 hour labor plus the cost of 2 pints of fluid it still wouldn't approach the $125 fee. Total time like I said is under an hour to do this and is something you can do yourself with a 10mm wrench, plastic tube, jar, brake fluid and a friend. It takes no time and is something that is good to know how to do. :)

Hi all,

I just got my element (~44k miles) back from the dealer having ordered the brake fluid and coolant replaced and flushed. My question is the fluids themselves look pretty new and clean, but is there a way to really tell if the service folks really did the flush or simply drained the fluids?


Thanks!

I'm away from my manual, but I think the service interval for the coolant is 100K+/10 years, why are the service departments continuing with this BS?

Oh $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

If you want a bleeder for home use, try this place...http://www.motiveproducts.com/02bleeders.html

You can also make a copy with a cheap pesticide sprayer. This makes bleeding at home very easy, and doesn't potentially ruin the master cylinder, which can happen if you do it by pumping the brake pedal.