Contaminated front brake fluid

[Dauntless]

I noticed what looks like bacteria growing in my front brake fluid reservoir. The bike was purchased in October of 2008 and the maintenance schedule says that the brake fluid needs to be changed every two years. Why is this growing in my brake fluid and is it a warranty item? Could there be a water leak that is causing this?

[deilenberger]

That really doesn't look very good. Not quite like anything I've ever seen. I would bring it to the dealers attention and see if they can at least warranty a complete flush of the system.

[blueviewlaguna]

Concerned, I took a look at my 2010 R1200R front brake res after your post and the fluid is crystal clear - I would settle for nothing less than a complete flush (including the ABS unit) under warranty.

[ShinySideUp]

+1 on never seeing anything like this!

I'll tell you what though: if it's indeed something organic and living in brake fluid, I'd be afraid of it! Very afraid!

[celticus]

What ever the case , If the dealership won't flush it I would flush it soon myself. Plot your vengance later.
That is some funky looking stuff. No matter how tempting it is DO NOT put it in your mouth!

Mark

[TIV]

Did you ever take it to the dealer? If so what did they say? I have a 1 year old 2009 model and just noticed the same thing. I think it's rubber powder floating to the top but It's just a guess. I sucked it out with a turkey baster and put in in a clear plastic jug. Soon as I sucked it up it disappeared as it mixed with the fluid. I have it sitting in the jug to see if it will reappear.

Here's a pic of mine...

[blueviewlaguna]

On May 2, I checked my fluid and it was crystal clear - today it looks like the OP's fluid (moldy) - just 55 days later!

How can fluid change in 55 days and 1500 miles like that? (total mileage on my 2010 R1200R is 3050 now)

Concerned, I took a look at my 2010 R1200R front brake res after your post and the fluid is crystal clear - I would settle for nothing less than a complete flush (including the ABS unit) under warranty.

[deilenberger]

On May 2, I checked my fluid and it was crystal clear - today it looks like the OP's fluid (moldy) - just 55 days later!

How can fluid change in 55 days and 1500 miles like that? (total mileage on my 2010 R1200R is 3050 now)

As was noted - it appears to be a very fine particle that easily goes into suspension in the fluid. If you checked shortly after riding the fluid might appear a bit darker, but no accumulation of the particles would be visible. If you then checked it after the bike was sitting for a few days/weeks/months of non-use - it might have precipitated out of the fluid so you can see it.

At least it looks like that to me..

[blueviewlaguna]

On May 2, I checked my fluid and it was crystal clear - today it looks like the OP's fluid (moldy) - just 55 days later!

How can fluid change in 55 days and 1500 miles like that? (total mileage on my 2010 R1200R is 3050 now)

As was noted - it appears to be a very fine particle that easily goes into suspension in the fluid. If you checked shortly after riding the fluid might appear a bit darker, but no accumulation of the particles would be visible. If you then checked it after the bike was sitting for a few days/weeks/months of non-use - it might have precipitated out of the fluid so you can see it.

At least it looks like that to me..

I agree, its fine particles, but to me that indicates fluid that needs to be replaced after only 9 months (my build date is 09/09). I guess the question now is, what's contaminating it? - the only 2 sources I can think of are the rubber lid and the o-rings in the MC - are they degrading?

[azimuth551]

Just a thought, did your service department flush out the brake system at the 600mile service? They did this with mine and then a few months later, I got the brake line recall that is surfacing with the routing of the lines. They flushed it again at that time and that was back in 2008!
Good luck and enjoy the beast!

Brent
2008 R1200R

[Dauntless]

Did you ever take it to the dealer? If so what did they say?

I never took it to the dealer because they told me over the phone that brake fluid is not covered under warranty. I just flushed it out myself.

[blueviewlaguna]

I called my dealer today, discussed my findings and they agreed to a full brake flush (both circuits) under warranty.