Brake Fluid Testing

Vehicle Fluid Analysis tells you the condition of the engine. Vehicle Fluid Kits reduce the cost of your investigation, lower the threshold limit for investigations, and increase your chance of preventing fraud.

The analysis will test and analyze:

• Engine Oil
• Fuel
• Transmission Fluid
• Brake Fluid

Testing vehicle fluids (oil, fuel, transmission, and brake fluid) provides information to determine the condition of the vehicle at the time of the fire, flood, or theft. The condition of the fluids and the vehicle can help identify damage, failure, motive, and value.

The best answers are real investigations from our 30+ years of experience.

A man in North Carolina discovers his vehicle missing. He intends to file a stolen vehicle report and insurance claim on Monday morning. On the Sunday before, his vehicle is discovered. In North Carolina near his home burned. The police suspect the owner. The insurance company suspects the owner. The insurance investigator does a thorough investigation including a sample of the engine oil.

The oil analysis indicates massive wear and engine failure. This is an excellent motive for the owner to torch the car. Only, the investigator has in his notes that the oil was changed at a service station the previous week. The service station recorded the mileage at the time of service. The burned, abandoned vehicle had 3000+ additional miles on it.

Further investigation and evidence proved the car had been stolen, used in? A multi-state drug run, returned and torched to destroy the evidence. +1 for the Innocent Man 0 for the Bad Guys. Facts make your case.

Testing the oil, fuel, transmission fluid, and brake fluid is quick and easy, with no out pocket expense for the investigator. Get the information you need for your thorough investigation. Get all the facts.

There are two major types of brake fluids. Polyethylene based fluids: (DOT 3, and DOT 4) and silicone based fluid (DOT 5). DOT 5 is not compatible with DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluids. Both DOT 3 and 4 brake fluids will absorb water over time and may fail if excessive water is present. DOT 4 brake fluid is formulated to have a higher boiling point than DOT 3 brake fluid. Most manufacturers recommend changing the brake fluid on a periodic basis.

A common cause of brake failure is the presence of a hydrocarbon contamination such as power steering fluid, transmission fluid, or motor oil. The presence of hydrocarbons in a DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid system can cause swelling of the rubber gaskets and seals, leading to brake failure. Contamination may occur when the brake fluid reservoir is “topped off” by a service technician or other operator. Evaluation of brake fluids for contamination is a routine evaluation performed by Armstrong Forensic Laboratory, Inc.

US Department of Transportation Regulations states that samples 2 ounces or less of oil or gasoline must be shipped using an “overpack” mailer. The sample bottle must be placed in a sealable container with enough cushioning material surrounding it to absorb all potential leakage. The cushioning and sample bottle must be packed within a securely sealed secondary container that can then be placed in a box or shipping container (mailer). The samples can only be sent via ground shipping and cannot be sent through the air (overnight) or on a carrier that handles passengers.

The Armstrong Forensic Laboratory Vehicle Fluid Sampling Kit complies with all DOT shipping requirements.

It is very important that samplers collect fuels and oils in the proper containers. Not all plastics are satisfactory for collection of petroleum products as the aromatic components quickly destroy or solubilize some of the plastics. The containers provided in the tests kits have been thoroughly tested to provide protection for your evidence. The one ounce plastic jars provide a satisfactory quantity for testing but must be over packed in the black plastics for shipping in accordance to the Code of Federal Regulations. Only one one-ounce clear container is necessary for a fuel or oil analysis. Two are included in a kit but that is only for your convenience, should you decide to send a second sample. Two ounces of fuel can be shipped in a kit – in overpacks. Shipping a fuel or an oil in the black overpack, alone, is extremely dangerous and is not allowed by law.

Report fraud and vehicle theft to your local law enforcement, as well as the National Insurance Crime Bureau at 1-800-TEL-NICB (1-800-835-6422).

Your call to NICB can be anonymous and you may be eligible for a reward.