Have you had any issues with your 2024 Spyder's Brake fluid?

[lmadsen]

Important message for those of you that may own a 2024 RT Limited. I just returned from my yearly oil service on my 2024 Limited, but while I was there, my technician discovered that my brake fluid was totally black and needed to be flushed or it definitely could cause major problems. That being said my Spyder is obviously 2 years old and has 8300 miles.

After a long discussion with the technician, who happens to be Shawn Smoak, who is one or the best, if not the best Spyder technician, he felt that for what ever reason, it is BRP that is at fault. Probably used a poor grade or contaminated brake fluid at the factory. He certainly didn't feel it had anything to do with me as the owner.

If anyone out there has a 2024 Spyder and have not had your brake fluid checked, I would do so soon. It was costly to have this done and of course, it's not under warranty. Because it looks like faulty material, Shawn encouraged me to contact BRP customer service. There may be others who have had the same issue, so there could be a bulletin put out that would help pay for this problem. Shawn said he is pretty certain I am not the only one with this problem. As Spyder owners, let's find out if BRP could be at fault. Thanks, I would like to hear back from all of you.

PS. If you have not heard of Shawn Smoak he has a website that is absolutely fantastic. It is shawnsmoak.com

 

[Flier Tuck]

Many years, ago when I had a Rocket 3, I managed to get on a works visit to the new Triumph factory at Meriden. When we were getting near the end of the production line we came to the brake bleeding area. This consisted of fitting tubes to the open caliper nipples and a brake fluid pressure system attached to the master cylinder reservoir. The tap was opened on the pressure side, and the system ran for only a few seconds when the nipples were locked up and the pressure released. After someone asked the question, it was confirmed that the same fluid went round and round, bike after bike, all day every day until a system warning said that the fluid was too contaminated, then it was changed. I assume a similar system is used by all bike and auto manufacturers.
So @Imadsen, it is possible that your bike could have been at the end of a long production run.

 

[bikerchris1270]

Did he check the fluid with a brake fluid tester, which tests for the amount of water absorbed by the brake fluid? Dot 3&4 brake fluids are Hydroscopic, meaning they absorb water. I’m thinking the proximity of the brake fluid reservoir to engine heat causes the fluid to expand and contract when cooling, making it easier/more likely to draw atmosphere humidity into the vented reservoir. But yes, that is why the maintenance schedule recommends every 2 years, and cycling the ABS pump while doing so. My perspective…

 

[Poppie65]

FWIW, I just performed the first brake flush on our 2023 RT and was impressed by how dark the fluid was. We have about 13K miles it, from a large variety driving conditions.