Buick Century Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection at your home or office.

Our certified mobile mechanics come to you 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(328)

How A Diagnostic Works

Instantly book a certified mobile mechanic to come to you

Mechanic diagnoses the problem and quotes necessary repairs

Your vehicle is ready to go

Fair, upfront & transparent pricing for all services

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to you now.

Customer Ratings

(328)

Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection Service

How much does a Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a Buick Century Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
1977 Buick CenturyV6-3.8LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$124.99 - $132.49
1980 Buick CenturyV6-3.8LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1978 Buick CenturyV8-5.7LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1993 Buick CenturyV6-3.3LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$104.99 - $112.48
2000 Buick CenturyV6-3.1LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.02 - $112.55
1991 Buick CenturyV6-3.3LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1995 Buick CenturyL4-2.2LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$109.87 - $117.28
1973 Buick CenturyV8-7.5LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$110.24 - $117.94
Show example Buick Century Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection prices

Your car requires several different fluids in order to operate. Engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and coolant are all essential. Another important one is brake fluid. Like other fluids, your brake fluid will deteriorate over time and eventually need to be replaced with a brake system flush. If you’ve noticed that your brake fluid appears black or brown, it’s well past time for a service.

How this system works:

Your brakes are operated by fluid pressure. The master cylinder and brake booster work to create pressure, which is then directed to the moving parts of the system (the calipers and shoe actuators). In a normal system, the brake fluid is clear or very light gold in color. This is true whether your car requires DOT 3, 4 or 5 brake fluid.

Brake fluid is held in the master cylinder reservoir, but it is also stored in the brake lines that run from the master cylinder to each wheel. You have two types of brake lines – steel and rubber. Over time and through normal use, brake fluid becomes contaminated. This happens on all vehicles, even brand new ones.

It requires only a couple of years for the fluid to build up enough contaminants that the color begins to change. It will darken over time, changing from clear/golden to a darker gold. In severe situations, your brake fluid may appear to be brown, or even black (think used engine oil).

It’s important that your brake fluid is changed regularly, before it turns brown or black. Very dark colors indicate that your fluid has collected a significant amount of contamination, and might have absorbed moisture, as well. This reduces the system’s ability to build pressure, which compromises your braking performance. You may have noticed that your brake pedal feels softer, or spongy. In serious situations, you may have to pump the pedal a couple of times for it to work properly.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Normal Aging Gone to the Extreme: The most common reason that brake fluid appears brown or black is that normal aging has gone unchecked (you haven’t had the fluid changed in too long). Contaminants collect in the fluid, darkening the color and reducing its ability to work.

  • Moisture Contamination: Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the surrounding air. This generally occurs by rubber brake lines allowing moisture to seep in. When moisture accumulates in brake fluid, it causes problems in a couple of ways. Water has a much lower boiling point than brake fluid, and can reach very high temperatures at the calipers and drums. This causes the water to flash boil into steam, causing the brake fluid to darken, but also creating air in the lines. This can cause a soft pedal, or even cause you to have to pump the brake pedal to get the system to work properly.

  • Deteriorating Rubber Lines: The rubber brake lines on your car will eventually deteriorate and need to be replaced. Brake fluid is also corrosive, and while the lines are designed to withstand that corrosion, they’ll eventually begin to break down. Microscopic pieces of rubber and chemicals leaching out of the lines into the fluid will also cause it to darken.

  • Normal Heating: Brake fluid is heated by contact with the calipers, and this heat creates a chemical change in the fluid, adding to the darkening created by moisture and other types of contamination.

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office and visually inspect your brake fluid’s condition, the master cylinder and the rest of the system to determine if the problem is simply due to normal age and wear/tear. The mechanic will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it's done:

The mechanic will inspect the master cylinder, lines and other brake system components. The mechanic will also determine how long it has been since your brake fluid was last changed, and may need to perform a brake fluid flush to remove the contaminated, old fluid and replace it with fresh, clean fluid.

How important is this service?

Brake fluid darkens as it ages – it’s natural, and due to normal contamination that occurs in all brake systems. However, it must be changed regularly, or you risk reduced braking performance and the deterioration or damage of other brake system components. One of our professional mechanics can inspect your system, change your fluid, and ensure that you enjoy the safety you deserve on the road.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert Buick mechanics

Real customer reviews from Buick owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(328)

Rating Summary
305
20
0
2
1
305
20
0
2
1

Jerimiah

19 years of experience
328 reviews
Jerimiah
19 years of experience
Buick Century V6-3.1L - Check Engine Light is on - Las Vegas, Nevada
Professional, very experienced mechanic. Prompt, friendly and very helpful answering all my questions.

Anthony

33 years of experience
62 reviews
Anthony
33 years of experience
Buick Century V6-3.1L - Spark Plugs - Ellenwood, Georgia
Great experience

Richard

11 years of experience
265 reviews
Richard
11 years of experience
Buick Century V6-3.1L - Wheel Hub Assembly Replacement (Passenger Side Front) - Nashville, Tennessee
Efficient and quick worker. Highly recommended

David

16 years of experience
56 reviews
David
16 years of experience
Buick Century V6-3.1L - Thermostat - Sacramento, California
Great worker got straight to the job everything went well

Excellent Rating

(328)

Rating Summary
305
20
0
2
1
305
20
0
2
1
Number of Buick Century services completed
3608+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Buick MECHANICS
800+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mazda 5
If If you’re looking for a vehicle that isn’t quite a minivan yet is bigger than a wagon, you’ll love the 2012 Mazda 5. With enough room for six adults, sliding rear doors that make it easy to get to...
How to Renew Your Car Registration in Minnesota
Being Being able to drive on the Minnesota roadways is a privilege that most people neglect. If you are the owner of a vehicle, you will have to make sure that it is registered with the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle...
How to Prevent Spills in Your Trunk
The The purpose of a car trunk (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-long-does-a-trunk-latch-last) or hatch is simple. Its purpose is to carry or store items securely, including groceries, large items, and spare fluids. There is virtually no limit to what you can carry in your...

Keep blowing IOD Fuse

You will need to obtain a factory wiring diagram for your vehicle, and unplug each sensor or component power by the IOD fuse, one at a time, to see which one removes the short to ground. Rather than blowing fuses...

Crank no start

Hey there, thanks for asking about your 2002 Ford Crown Victoria. Burned wires can signify that there has likely been a short somewhere in the electrical system. Often times when this happens, it is quite easy for the car's computer...

Grinding noise front passenger tire, 2010 Nissan Versa

Hello. Grinding noises from a wheel are usually the result of worn brakes or wheel bearings. If the noise began after hitting a pot hole, then it may be possible that the wheel bearing was damaged form the impact. The...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (844) 997-3624 · hi@yourmechanic.com