As the title suggests my entry level shimano brakes are giving me problems…

They’re 6 years old and have never been touched…

Have to admit I’ve got no experience with hydraulic brakes and am not far short of heading to the LBS but thought I’d tap into the expertese here first.

Cheers,

Phil

probably need a strip down, clean and bleed.

depending on what they are you might find it easier/cheaper to get a new ‘modern’ equivalent.

Strip down what exactly? Shimano stuff isn’t really rebuildable due to a complete lack of spares for seals and pistons.

cleaning and lubing the pistons and a bleed thru with new fluid might sort them out but it sounds like the master cylinder seal has gone. It might not have done tho.

You should do an annual fluid change even on shimanos if you want longevity.

How will changing the fluid regularly improve seal life?

Because as the seals wear tiny particles of seal get suspended in the fluid as does a bit of dust. This accelerates the wear