I have a 2004 Winnebago Adventurer workhorse W22 with 15000 miles. We left Tennessee for Las Vegas Nevada on vacation. Took hwy 93 over Hover Dam then to Vegas and had no problems. Three days later we left Vegas and planned to tour Hover Dam. Half way down the hill leading to the Dam, my abs and brake fail and parking brake lights comes on, and a alarm is sounding off. The brake pedal felt normal but it still made me feel uneasy. We pulled into a parking lot and took the tour. We was gone about Two hours. Got back and I check the brake fluid it was full but very thick so thick it hung off my finger. We started the engine, lights and alarms are silent untill I pressed on the brakes. I still had good peddle so we continue on hwy 93 toward Arizona. Thirty miles later lights and alarms are silent again. The rest of the 1,600 mile trip home we had no problems. What I want to know is if brake fluid is supposed to be thick? I don't think so!

Your brake fluid needs to be flushed every two to three years and replaced with new DOT 3 brake fluid. Your fluid should be clear with a yellowish tint, and about the consistancy of sewing machine oil, but definitely not thick or black/brown. That will probaly fix your current problems.

Good Luck - Glenn

If your not sure about your braking system please go to a pro to have it checked. Weather a WH service center or a brake shop, for your safty and others, please have it inspected. Some things are better left to those more qualified.

The thick vasaline type grease floating on top is a pre assy. lube and totally normal to see. You should have a dealer check out your brakes.

I wouldn't be ignoring these warnings and indications. It may be nothing but by the sounds of it you allready have a feeling that there may be a problem because the fluid is thick. I myself wouldn't feel comforatble the next time I go out and would be waiting for the gremlin to come back again. The brakes work hard to stop my 12 ton coach and I don't think I would blow it off. If you feel the fluid is thick and needs to have some attention then why not. At least have a Qualified Service Rep. check it out. It would give you piece of mind and keep you, your family and others safe.

If it were me I would'nt just change my brake fluid and hope all is well. I would have a good shop check the brakes out(it doesnt have to be a wh shop). Take it from me, I have had 3 failures. If it turns out to have a problem please report it to NHTSA. If you need help on how to report I will be glad to help.

Folks - Please don't stick your fingers in the brake fluid. You will contaminate the fluid. Use a small mirror to inspect the fluid.

The skim coat that you see on the surface of the brake fluid is totally normal. Angleman previously wrote that is is lubricant that is used in the system which floats to the top of the reservoir.

The fluid level should be level with the bottom of the fill opening.

Before you even consider opening the caps make absolutely sure that the top of the reservoir is clean.

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I would have a good shop check the brakes out(it doesn't have to be a wh shop).

I would like to offer that if your vehicle is "in" warranty please have it serviced by an authorized service center.

If you are out of warranty quite a few competent heavy equipment shops may be able to work on or inspect your brakes. The rub here is that they will not be able to order parts directly from Uptime. There will be most often a 3rd party delay.

Out or warranty quite a few Workhorse service centers will have most all the brake components in stock and you should be able to get in and out quickly - I did at Larry's Auto Clinic in Myrtle Beach.

I have had the thick film on top of my fluid for over a year now. When I first discovered it, I freaked out too. I took it to a well know good shop (Redlands Truck and RV) and they told me it was normal and checked the fluid and said all is well. As far as the ABS, when the light goes on and alarms sound it just means the computer has detected a malfunction and shut down the ABS part. Your brakes will function normal, just no Anti Lock function. Its up to you if you want to pay someone to charge you for “no problem found”, or charge you to throw a bunch of parts at it hoping it will never do it again.

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Originally posted by DriVer:

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I would have a good shop check the brakes out(it doesn't have to be a wh shop).

I would like to offer that if your vehicle is "in" warranty please have it serviced by an authorized service center.



Out or warranty quite a few Workhorse service centers will have most all the brake components in stock and you should be able to get in and out quickly - I did at Larry's Auto Clinic in Myrtle Beach.

Not trying to be a smart*#4 but a 2004 with 15000 miles should be out of warr. If not I want my money back on my last 2 repairs