ATE Super Blue still available?

[Xhilr8n]

It’s time to flush the brakes, the car has sat in storage over two years with original amber fluid.  Some of us know about alternating colors of brake fluid to determine the flush is done.  With the “brand new” uncolored fluid in there now there’s not much way to tell when the new arrives.

 

The powers that be have contrived to make this unavailable to help protect the oppressed folks I guess.  I have plenty from back in my track days but out of date now.

 

Is there a way to get the blue brake fluid stateside?  Meet someone at the end of a dirt road with cash?

 

 

[Vovchandr]

A dye thats glycol compatible is a lot easier and safer than meeting some guy at the end of a dirt road. That's no different than what ATE did. 

[Xhilr8n]

Good information.  And that’s why I asked.  Confident of a useful response.

 

I’ve methelene blue on hand I use with an aquarium system to identify a solution that’s NOT going into the system.  Google says it’s glycol compatible.

Edited June 24, 2025 by Xhilr8n

[Vovchandr]

Appears ATE used methylene blue powder

 

Amazon.com: Rekhaoil® Blue Petroleum Dye : Industrial & Scientific

VERY potent. 1mg for 1L

[wdb]

Jeebus people. Just let it run for a while. If the color doesn’t change then the stuff in the lines was still good. 

[Xhilr8n]

22 minutes ago, wdb said:

Jeebus people. Just let it run for a while. If the color doesn’t change then the stuff in the lines was still good. 

That’s good information and probably the way to go. I appreciate your experience.

 

But I’m still at the “blue stars” stage getting of familiar with a new car.  I swear the Elise was more fun to drive after I’d changed pads and rotors and flushed the brakes system with a pressure bleeder myself.  After I learned this on the Elise I taught my son, now 28, how to do it on his Nissan Z.

 

Had 102 track days with her but some of the best fun was laying on cardboard under the car with a flashlight in my mouth.

 

And it’s radical and racy to have blue brake fluid.  At least to me.

[IamScotticus]

Don't motorcycle fluids still come with dye?

[Vovchandr]

Just got my order. Will try it sometime soon

[Xhilr8n]

I have this on hand,  an aqueous solution so the idea of adding water to brake fluid is awkward.  Might take 4 drops to alter a 300 ml bottle of brake fluid.

 

Seems like it would be ok but I’ve not done it, sorta waiting for someone to chime in with a petroleum based dye as you have.

[Xhilr8n]

A little research and many folks for many different cars have used the blue/amber alternate technique for brake fluid flushes and are frustrated by the well intentioned but aggravating Federal regulation that nuked this nice technique.  But thank goodness I did not waste pricy brake fluid in the windshield washer.

 

Chapeta was quick to confirm my reservations to place an aeqeous solution of methylene blue in the braking system, regardless of the amount.  There are a ton of suitable dyes that are uv florescent but I want a change that’s visible in ordinary light.   Could not find any on Amazon, so ordered this on Ebay

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/266061086845?var=565916676477

 

Most petroleum dyes I found are for a whole ounce and over $25

[Vovchandr]

3 hours ago, Xhilr8n said:

A little research and many folks for many different cars have used the blue/amber alternate technique for brake fluid flushes and are frustrated by the well intentioned but aggravating Federal regulation that nuked this nice technique.  But thank goodness I did not waste pricy brake fluid in the windshield washer.

 

Chapeta was quick to confirm my reservations to place an aeqeous solution of methylene blue in the braking system, regardless of the amount.  There are a ton of suitable dyes that are uv florescent but I want a change that’s visible in ordinary light.   Could not find any on Amazon, so ordered this on Ebay

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/266061086845?var=565916676477

 

Most petroleum dyes I found are for a whole ounce and over $25

 

Mine is powder not a water solution, so I'm adding no incompatible fluids in. 

[Xhilr8n]

That’s what I thought you had there, good idea.

 

i have a basic magnetic stirrer that would help with that.

[Xhilr8n]

OK I did it.  Added some of the powdered blue dye to new amber brake fluid.  My advice is to put about a matchhead (scientific huh?) to a litre.  This stuff is a powerful concentrated dye that has great potential for harm or mischief.  Seriously a pinhead for 500 ml is a good starter dose.

 

With the car in the air it’s a straightforward brake flush.  The clutch is not so easy, the bleed nipple rests right on top of the broad trans so need a long tube to get on the good side of gravity.

 

It was gratifying to see the blue fluid arrive to each piston.

[Vovchandr]

Would you call this chapter/mission closed? Is this a sufficient replacement for original super blue?

 

I still haven't tried my powder. 

[Xhilr8n]

Haven’t taken her out yet to see if it all blows up 💥 , it’s rained for days.  But yes it seems this will work just fine.  And this powder is not expensive.  5 g costs twice what 1 g costs so you get a lifetime supply for you and some pals.  

[IamScotticus]

Guys,

Does motorcycle fluid still come with dye?

[Xhilr8n]

Finally stopped the incesant rains and took her out.  This car had just sat in storsge for over 2 1/2 years.  I did not see much air when doing the flush, But today immediately noticed some feel to the pedal .   Before it was something like pushing at drywall, now there is a sense of softness and modulation.  Not sure what happened exactly but open to the idea that working on our cars sets us up to expect improvements.

 

Point is the procedure seems a success. Brakes feel better, we have a proven way to change brake fluid color for the alternating flush technique, and I know the car better.