Thread sealant and brake fluid

[Pittenger5]

Is there any sort of thread sealant that will hold up to brake fluid? I think I have a TINY little bit of fluid coming through on the master (just seeing a bit of gunk build up, def not dirt). Gonna break it down and clean it up nice now that winter is here, but would like to add some help. Not sure if it will even work because of bleeding, but at worst, I could just bleed from the calipers and hope that handles the master.

[TheIglu]

Where is it coming out of the master?

[Paul_E_D]

I'm gonna be honest, I don't like this idea.

[TheIglu]

As someone who ended up with a tiny spec of something blocking the return hold in a master on a motorcycle once, I don't like the idea either. Sitting on the side of the road with your front brakes locked is not my idea of a good time.

[SRTie4k]

You shouldn't need to use thread sealant. If it's not sealing, you should probably try replacing the washers and cleaning up the mating surfaces first.

[Pittenger5]

Where is it coming out of the master?

Just seeing some gunk around the threads to the bleeder. Not even sure its brake fluid. Though previously I had a LOT coming out of there, like visably. I took out the bleeder screw and cleaned everything up, and it seems better, just seeing a bit of that gunk. Gonna break down the entire system over the winter, figured Id see if it was an option while doing that.

[SRTie4k]

Bleeder screws are flared fittings.

[TheIglu]

If anything, teflon tape on the threads. Not a lot, and def not any on the tapered portion.

[keeena]

The little bit of gunk could just be fluid which was remaining in the bleeder and just leaked out over time.

I'm with everyone else: i wouldn't use thread sealant. But if you're determined: Permatex thread sealant is resistant to hydraulic fluid . Check the mating surfaces (bleeder and bottom of bore in the M/C) for any build up. Might be solved w/ a new bleeder bolt if the bottom is bunged up.

[Pittenger5]

Might be solved w/ a new bleeder bolt if the bottom is bunged up.

Are bleeder bolts pretty much universal? I know Brembo doesn't sell repair parts, and don't wanna go the Chinese route.

[keeena]

Are bleeder bolts pretty much universal? I know Brembo doesn't sell repair parts, and don't wanna go the Chinese route.

To some degree. Try this up for a RCS master. Probably not OEM, but I don't that as a reason not to try it.

[Kurlon]

Why do I recall dealing with a leaky bleeder on your bike back when you still loved New England?

[Pittenger5]

Why do I recall dealing with a leaky bleeder on your bike back when you still loved New England?

No idea, don't remember that problem? Plus, I bought this bike in Texas ... so def not the same one.

[Kurlon]

It was north garage, 08/09... can't remember who it was that was going through this and tried Teflon on the threads...

[Pittenger5]

Hmm maybe it was me. I seem to recall having Teflon tape on my caliper for the supermoto.

[joeswamp]

I could be wrong, but I'm about 99% sure that the threads don't seal on a bleeder screw, it's the mating surfaces on the end of the screw and on the inside of the housing.

Teflon tape or thread sealant is only useful when the threads do the sealing, i.e. when they're tapered (like on threaded iron pipe). Should never use this stuff on straight threads.

[keeena]

You're correct joe; pretty sure that's why everyone has recommended against it.

I'd still lean towards fluid in the bleeder itself leaking out as the first thing I'd check. This can appear by the threads on a bleeder with a radially-drilled lower bleed hole (which many are).